Proverbs 22_ 6      Christian Family & Children

Rev. David Holwick

First Baptist Church        (Bible Study)

Ledgewood, New Jersey

November 11, 1990

Proverbs 22:6


THE CHRISTIAN FAMILY AND CHILDREN



  I. Parents have primary responsibility in raising children.

      A. Set the pattern early.        Prov 22:6


      B. Well-rounded growth is goal.  Luke 2:52


II. Dangers of being a parent.

      A. Parents are not perfect.       Luke 11:13


      B. Bad parents can affect several generations.   Deut 5:9-10, Ex 20:5

          1) But good parents can affect thousands!   Deut 5:10


III. Teaching children.

      A. About dangers in world.

          1) Bad friends.                       Prov 1:10-16

          2) Bad habits: booze, gluttony.       Prov 23:19-21; 2 Tim 2:22

          3) Loose women.                       Prov 5:3; 31:2

          4) Easy credit.                       Prov 6:1


      B. About God.

          1) 1 Tim 1:18, Prov 1:8, Prov 3:1-6, Prov 3:3, Deut 6:1-9,

                Deut 11:19, Prov 6:20-23, Prov 7:1


      C. Results.

          1) Obedient children bring joy.                 Prov 15:20

          2) Foolish children bring disappointment.       Prov 17:21,25


IV. How to be a lousy parent.

      A. Do not give your children boundaries.

          1) King David never asked his son Adonijah, "Why do you behave

                as you do?"      1 Kings 1:6

          2) Children without boundaries disgrace their parents.  Prov 29:15


      B. Do not be aware of what they are doing.

          1) Eli was last to know the sin his sons were up to. 1 Sam 2:22-14

          2) When he found out, he did not restrain them.      1 Sam 3:13


      C. Be upset with children but do nothing concrete about it.

          1) King David was angry at abuse of his daughter Tamar, but did

               nothing about it.  Death of son Amnon resulted.   2 Sam 13:21


      D. Show favoritism.

          1) Abraham favored Isaac over Ishmael.   Gen 21:9-10

          2) Jacob favored Joseph and tore up the whole family.  Gen 37:3-4


      E. Allow a blended family (polygamy, divorce/remarriage) to mess up

            your children.  The following are specific dangers:

          1) Incest.                  2 Sam 13:1     Amnon and Tamar

          2) Favoritism.              Gen 21:9-10    Isaac and Ishmael

          3) Intrigue - and murder.   2 Sam 13:28    Absalom and Amnon

          4) Rebellion.               2 Sam 15:14    Absalom and David


  V. Parents and spiritual instruction.

      A. Parents have the primary responsibility - not the church.  Deut 6:1


      B. Goal should be for all children to accept Jesus.  Acts 11:14; 16:33

          1) Train them from an early age.      Prov 1:8; 22:6

          2) Train them intentionally (even if they resist).  1 Tim 1:8


VI. Discipline.

      A. If you love your children, discipline them.     Prov 13:24

          1) Show love by giving them good things.   Luke 11:11-13


      B. Discipline drives out folly.                    Prov 22:15


      C. Discipline won't kill them.                     Prov 23:13

          1) Alternative (rotten kids) is worse.           Prov 23:14

          2) For extreme illustration, see Deuteronomy 21:18-21


      D. Discipline in positive ways as well.            Prov 23:15-22,

                                  Prov 3:11-12; 19:18, 29:17; Deut 8:5


      E. Do not exasperate children.                     Eph 6:4


VII. Duty of children.

      A. Obey parents.                 Eph 6:1; Luke 2:51 (Jesus)


      B. Honor parents.                Eph 6:2



Copyright © 2024 by Rev. David Holwick

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