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Parenting by the Book

Proverbs   Study
Study 205

STUDY 205

Text: Proverbs 19
29 May 2005

Dear Parents,

MORE ABOUT FRIENDSHIP
Friendship is a subject that parents will have to bring up again and again. Children will have to learn many special lessons about friendship at different stages of their life.

Many entreat the favour of the nobility,
And every man is a friend to one who gives gifts.

Proverbs 19:6

1. A glimpse of court life in the ancient past

In the days when kings ruled, a strong group of people surrounded the ruler. These were often called “the nobility”. They were greatly privileged for they had the king’s ear.

2. “Favour of the nobility”

How would anyone have access to the king? The way to present a petition to the king was through the nobility. Thus many people try and “entreat the favour of the nobility”.

3. “Every man is a friend to one who gives gifts”

How would one cultivate the friendship of a noble? One of the standard ways was to present gifts to the nobility. If a gift is impressive enough, favour may be won!

Children ought to be told about friendships of years gone by. They can learn so much about how people tried to form friendships. They can also learn how to avoid making the wrong moves!

ANOTHER INSIGHT ABOUT THE PROBLEM OF RETAINING FRIENDS BECAUSE OF POVERTY
We have another classic description about how the poor struggle to retain the few friends they have.

All the brothers of the poor hate him;
How much more do his friends go far from him!
He may pursue them with words, yet they abandon him.

Proverbs 19:7

1. Even the poor are avoided by family members

This is a sad fact of life. It is good to teach children that they must not abandon family members because they are poor!

2. The poor cannot make or retain friends easily

This is also another sad truth observable in life! May our children learn how to befriend people without despising anyone!

Prayerfully,
Pastor Charlie

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