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Parenting by the Book

Proverbs   Study
Study 238

STUDY 238

Text: Proverbs 20
13 January 2006

THE FAMILY UNIT
The family unit is a vital part of a child’s life. The early formative years are the ones where the role of the family is of utmost importance.

GROWING UP AND AWAY
As children grow up, they will also tend to expand their circle of friends. The family is still there, but its importance will be, unfortunately, taken for granted. (Rare is the family where the child knows how to appreciate family at premium level all the time.)

There is nothing essentially wrong when children grow up and gain some measure of independence. This sense of independence must be well learned or they will be handicapped when they become adults and enter into mainstream life.

FRIENDS WILL BECOME AN INTEGRAL PART OF LIFE
The next big feature in the life of children would be their “friends”. They will need all the help they can get to discern good friends from bad ones. The following text offers an interesting and deep word of advice.

Take the garment of one who is surety for a stranger,
And hold it as a pledge when it is for a seductress.

Proverbs 20:16

1. No need to be prudish

Children must be taught “the facts of life” from a very young age. The wisdom they gain from straightforward teaching will stand them in good stead.

a) Teach them about the dangers of being carried away by emotions.

In this particular context, there is a veiled description about a young man who becomes “a surety” for a “stranger” whom he takes as a “friend”. His emotions have placed him in danger. He has become surety and therefore is liable should anything go wrong.

b) Teach them about people who are called “seductresses”.

There are people who are easily carried away by emotional (sexual) inclinations. They would even pledge their garments just to gain sexual favour from the seductress.

2. Teach them “tough wisdom”

One may not be able to persuade a friend from following wrong paths. The best defence is to protect oneself from being taken advantaged of. “Pledges” may be taken from those who are inclined to pursue wrong things. If financial help is to be given at all, it must be secured. This may be called “tough wisdom”.

Prayerfully,
Pastor Charlie

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