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Parenting by the Book

Proverbs   Study
Study 186

STUDY 186

Text: Proverbs 17
16 January 2005

Dear Parents,

THE NIGHTMARISH PROSPECT OF HAVING “A FOOLISH SON”
What are some of the worst fears of parents? Perhaps the following text describes one of those fears?

A foolish son is a grief to his father,
And bitterness to her who bore him.

Proverbs 17:25

1. The possibility of ending up with “a foolish son.”

Is this a real possibility? Unfortunately, the answer is YES!

2. Anguish to the parents

a) Grief to the father

b) Bitterness to the mother

These two feelings do not in any way fully describe the sorrow of the parents should their children turn out badly!

CAN WE ENSURE SUCCESS IN PARENTING?
How we wish that we can use the word “ensure” with greater confidence. Unfortunately, experience humbles us and we dare not use this word too confidently!

CAN WE DO ANYTHING AT ALL?
Of course we can do lots of things that would help our children grow up well! We must not fail to do our parts as parents. There are three important things we must do diligently!

1. PRAY WITHOUT CEASING

The least we can do for our children is to uphold them in prayer faithfully! Do we indeed pray for our children without ceasing? Are we guilty of being so busy we do not pray for them diligently?

2. BEING GREAT ROLE MODELS

Our children learn a whole lot more from us than we realize! Let us take the task of role-modeling most seriously! When we succeed in living righteously before the Lord, we will make a great impact on our children that will last them a life time! Let’s not fail to be good role-models!

3. DILIGENT TEACHING OF GOD’S WORD

We must be ever diligent in teaching God’s word to our children!

Prayerfully,
Pastor Charlie

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