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Proverbs 22 (ESV)

6 Train up a child in the way he should go;
even when he is old he will not depart from it…

15 Folly is bound up in the heart of a child,
but the rod of discipline drives it far from him…

17 Incline your ear, and hear the words of the wise,
and apply your heart to my knowledge,
¹⁸ for it will be pleasant if you keep them within you,
if all of them are ready on your lips.
¹⁹ That your trust may be in the Lord,
I have made them known to you today, even to you.
²⁰ Have I not written for you thirty sayings
of counsel and knowledge,
²¹ to make you know what is right and true,
that you may give a true answer to those who sent you?

REFLECTION:

Children often do stupid and dangerous things because they do not understand the seriousness of the consequences. Even if parents set an example for their children, they may not be able to pass wisdom and knowledge to the next generation. Parents must teach carefully so that their children can learn wisdom. The “stick of discipline” represents all kinds of discipline or training, not just beating. Just as God disciplines and corrects us and makes us improve, parents must also discipline our children so that they can discern right from wrong. The original meaning of “in the way he should go” (v6) is “teaching in the way of the children”. Many parents want to train their children to be the same as themselves, or train them in the same way they have experienced. Other parents always want to arrange everything for their children, which is harmful to their children. Parents should recognize the characteristics God has given to each child, teach them according to God’s will, and cultivate them into people who are pleasing to man and God, and possess independent ability and heavenly wisdom. At the same time, we ourselves should strive to seek God’s wisdom, listen to God and rely on God in everything, so that we can teach by example rather than preaching, and make our children walk in the way they should go.

PRAYER:

Pray for God to give you a heart of obedience, so that you can discipline your children according to God’s will, not your own will. Pray for God to give you more wisdom, so that you can better understand the characteristics of your children and discipline them accordingly. Ask God to strengthen your faith, even if your children are grown up. You can use your own example to influence them so that they will not deviate from God’s path.

HYMN:

When Trials Come: www.youtube.com/watch?v=MpScEpriWZs