Wisdom for Parents from Proverbs

From Sermon – Wisdom for Parenting - Sunday 2-19-06

Proverbs has a lot to say about children and parenting.

Prov 1:3 Through these proverbs, people will receive instruction in discipline, good conduct, and doing what is right, just, and fair.

Prov 6:23 For these commands and this teaching are a lamp to light the way ahead of you. The correction of discipline is the way to life.

Prov 13:24 If you refuse to discipline your children, it proves you don't love them; if you love your children, you will be prompt to discipline them.

Prov 19:18 Discipline your children while there is hope. If you don't, you will ruin their lives.

Prov 22:15 A youngster's heart is filled with foolishness, but discipline will drive it away.

Prov 29:15 To discipline and reprimand a child produces wisdom, but a mother is disgraced by an undisciplined child.

Prov 29:17 Discipline your children, and they will give you happiness and peace of mind.

Prov 20:30 Physical punishment cleanses away evil; such discipline purifies the heart.

Prov 23:14 Physical discipline may well save them from death.

Discipline is setting your children on the right course.

Punishment is sometimes needed to get them back on that course

Comfort for a Preacher

A funny and comforting story for preachers:  

In a recent issue of GLASS Window, a contributor recalls that several years ago, The British Weekly published this provocative letter:

   "Dear Sir: It seems ministers feel their sermons are very important and spend a great deal of time preparing them. I have been attending church quite regularly for 30 years and I have probably heard 3,000 of them. To my consternation, I discovered I cannot remember a single sermon. I wonder if a minister's time might be more profitably spent on something else?"

   For weeks a storm of editorial responses ensued ... finally ended by this letter: "Dear Sir: I have been married for 30 years. During that time I have eaten 32,850 meals--mostly my wife's cooking. Suddenly I have discovered I cannot remember the menu of a single meal. And yet ... I have the distinct impression that without them, I would have starved to death long ago."

   -- John Schletewitz, Poway, California. Leadership, Vol. 6, no. 2.