I just completed my May Newsletter where I focused on the parent's role in training Christian worshipers (our children). This got me thinking about the emphasis Proverbs places on this mandate. The teaching of Proverbs on childrearing is best summed up by the verse, Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it (22:6).
According to Proverbs, the purpose of biblical parental instruction is to breath wisdom and the fear of the Lord into our children. Wise children bring gladness and joy to parents (23:24-25; 29:3, 17) while foolish ones bring grief (10:1), shame (28:7), and, sometimes, ruin to parents (19:13).
Consequently, Parents are the crucial players in teaching their children and Proverbs gives a wide array of attributes parents are to teach. I'll look at a few today and a few tomorrow:
diligence & industriousness (Prov 6:6-11; 11:27; 12:24; 13:4; 15:19; 18:9; 19:24; 20:4, 13)
justice (11:1; 16:11; 17:23; 20:10, 23; 31:8-9)
kindness (11:17)
generosity (11:24:19:6)
self-control, particularly of speech (12:18; 13:3; 21:23) and temper (14:27, 29; 15:18; 16:32)
righteousness (12:21, 28; 14:34).
truthfulness and honesty (12:22; 16:13; 24:26)
discretion in choosing friends (13:20; 18:24), particularly a spouse (18:22; 31:10-31)
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