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Parenting by the Book

Proverbs   Study
Study 269

STUDY 269

Text: Proverbs 24
20 August 2006

Dear Parents,

USING EVERY MEANS TO ENCOURAGE CHILDREN
It is important to employ every means to encourage our children to seek wisdom. We have an especially encouraging word here, for children to seek after wisdom in the following text.

My son, eat honey because it is good,
And the honeycomb which is sweet to your taste;
So shall the knowledge of wisdom be to your soul;
If you have found it, there is a prospect,
And your hope will not be cut off.

Proverbs 24:13-14

1. Be innovative

We may make use of our children’s “sweet tooth” to teach them how to appreciate wisdom.

a) Comparison

Wisdom and honey are well compared.

b) Appeal to that which a child can understand

Honey is probably better understood and appreciated than wisdom. But even if the starting point is the subject of honey, all is not lost.

2. Be encouraging

Sometimes, we tend to speak to our children using chilling negative words. We warn them that if they do not study hard, then they could become odd-job laborers or worse. This approach is lots more positive.

a) Prospect

Children must dare to dream of great prospects for the future. The positive approach will work far more effectively.

b) Hope

Hope is such a powerful entity. If there is hope, the human heart can and will dare to attempt the hardest of tasks.

RECALL EARLIER LESSONS ABOUT WISDOM
We are not limited by this short proverb about wisdom. Let us make full use of our knowledge gained in earlier sessions of studying the Book of Proverbs. (The first nine chapters were written especially to encourage both young and old to seek wisdom as the principal thing in life.) Children need much more encouragement to pursue wisdom. Let us develop great skills in teaching children.

Prayerfully,
Pastor Charlie

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