Family Studies
Train Up a Child (Prov. 22:6)
Series: Training a Child (Lessons from Proverbs)Introduction:
1. Each of us is familiar with the text in Prov. 22:6 which says, “Train up a child in the way he should go, even when he is old he will not depart from it.” 2. A few months ago we studied through a series of lessons stressing the responsibility of training our children. Heavy attention was given to such passages as Deut. 6 and Eph. 6:4, passages that call on parents to bring up children and grandchildren in the discipline and instruction of the Lord. 3. We all know that we are to train them. We all know that we are to train them in the ways of the Lord. But what are the principles that are to be taught? If we were to try to design a curriculum what would it include? What should it include? 4. The book of Proverbs is designed so that it gives us answers to just such questions. In the next several Sunday evening lessons I would like us to study through the book of Proverbs searching for the principles that we need to communicate especially to young people. 5. As I have been studying it is becoming more and more obvious that the principles are indeed fundamental to all of life even as the text of 22:6 suggests. In addition I am learning that many of the principles are addressed to “older young people,” not just those who are teenagers and below.Discussion:
I. The objective of Proverbs is to teach wisdom, give instruction and understanding in wise behavior founded upon respect for the Lord (1:1-7) and this especially to sons and daughters.A. If this is the purpose of Proverbs then it is appropriate for parents and teachers of youth to study it and integrate its principles into our curriculum.
B. Observe that the fundamental starting point is “the fear of the Lord.”
1. Certainly this is not referring to our being terrified of God.
2. In the ancient world “fearing the Lord” referred to showing respect to Jehovah as God rather than to some idol.
3. In our world it involves respecting God’s wisdom rather than the “wisdom” of the world. This does not mean that men can not make insightful observations. It means that the ultimate source of our knowledge must rest upon the things of God.
4. One is a fool who dismisses the wisdom of God (Psa. 53:1).
5. “Fools despise wisdom and instruction” (Prov. 1:7).
C. Understanding is sometimes subtle (1:6).
1. Sometimes words are spoken the meaning of which appears to be one thing when indeed that is not the point.
2. Often we misinterpret what is intended and thus miss the wisdom that is being communicated.
3. Sometimes the simple meaning distracts us from understanding a deeper and intended meaning.
4. People do this with Prov. 22:6. Interpret it as some kind of absolute. It is not a divine promise. But a solid observation of what generally happens in life and as such it needs to be taken seriously.
5. I would appeal to you therefore to draw near to Proverbs to meditate and not to draw hasty conclusions. After you have what you consider a reasonable understanding leave your mind open to the consideration of other reasonable understandings also. Allow your understanding to grow.
II. There are two ways that young people can go described in the book of Proverbs and two results described that parents experience depending on the way their child goes.A. The two ways: the way of wisdom and the way of folly.
1. Young people are naïve (2:22).
a. They are not to be blamed or diminished because they are naïve. I am afraid that some diminish those who are youthful in their understanding and develop walls of angry resistance to wisdom. It is just the nature of their circumstance. They are without experience. No need for the more mature to act arrogantly and so destroy any influence they might have (cf. 1 Cor. 8:1).
b. But young people, you do not have to love being simple-minded (1:22). “Youthful arrogance,” was a description I heard used by someone in this congregation to describe the assumptions of a young person. The younger person was assuming that because they had just discovered something that it was new to everyone else and that no one else had already thought through their “new discovery.”
c. We have all been naïve. We have all been “youthfully arrogant.” On occasion we are “elderly arrogant.” That is why we need to be swift to hear and slow to speak. To draw near to listen rather than to offer the sacrifice of fools.
2. Listen to the warning in Prov. 14:15-18.
3. Young people are particularly vulnerable to negative influences. Unless trained appropriately naïve simplicity results in full grown folly (14:18). This can be avoided through proper instruction in biblical wisdom. But parents be careful. Do not meet “youthful arrogance” with an arrogance of your own because it will be a hindrance to being able to communicate what you need to.
4. Young people wisdom calls for your submission to parental discipline and correction (3:11-12; cf. Heb. 12:5-6; Eph. 6:1; Prov. 15:32; 23:13-14). Do not let your anger over a parent’s arrogant approach hinder you from receiving the message.
5. Biblical wisdom gives life (1:32-33), indeed it is life (4:13). Do not let anger and arrogance cause you to choose the way of folly rather than the way of wisdom.
B. Two results: rejoicing and grief.
1. Wise children bring rejoicing and gladness to parents (Prov. 23:24-25; 29:3, 17).
2. Foolish children bring grief (Prov. 10:1); humiliation (28:7); destruction (19:13).
3. The message for parents is to teach wisdom. Teach it with humility, but with firmness. Be careful that you are not so distracted by other things that you neglect the teaching. You do not want to experience grief but rejoicing. Financial and business success that sacrifices your children leads to grief in old age. You may be able to retire with a high standard of living, but if it is marred by grief what good is it? Why not invest so that there can be rejoicing in old age?
Conclusion:
1. This lesson has been merely introductory, but it should stress to us the value of wisdom, the source of it and perhaps motivate us to search further for the specific principles that we need to teach. 2. The other lessons in this series will be designed to delve into this area in some detail.
