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STUDY 235

Text: Proverbs 20
25 December 2005

Dear Parents,

DIFFICULT CHRONIC PROBLEMS
There are different types of problems in life. There is nothing like diligent parenting to heighten awareness of the many problems that plague our children. Some problems may indeed be called “chronic.” They keep coming up. They never seem to go away at all. One such problem is “laziness”.

HIGHLIGHTED TIME AND AGAIN
One of the ways in which a problem is thought of as “chronic” is that it is highlighted in the Scriptures. Different terms are used, but they all belong to the same semantic field.

… the lazy man will be put to forced labour.

Proverbs 12:24

The way of the lazy man is like a hedge of thorns…

Proverbs 15:19

He who is slothful in his work
Is brother to him who is a great destroyer.

Proverbs 18:9

Do not love sleep, lest you come to poverty;
Open your eyes, and you will be satisfied with bread.

Proverbs 20:13

This list is not exhaustive. The challenge for parents is great indeed. How do we battle chronic problems?

PARENTAL DETERMINATION
There isn’t any special “easy formula” to follow. Good parenting will always involve the following resolves:-

1. The role of teaching

This may seem a thankless and endless task. Nevertheless, it must be undertaken. We have to keep teaching our children with a tremendous sense of determination.

2. The role of correcting

We dare not take our role lightly. We must bear in mind the presence of evil in the world and how deadly it can be. And yes, laziness is an expression of evil. We just have to keep seeking to correct that which is wrong.

3. Employing all that God has given to us

Let us cultivate a good “discerning ear and eye”. We would be able to do better as parents.

Prayerfully,
Pastor Charlie