S c u t d c u f S c & o o l s & e t e t o M
“Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it” (22:6). These words present a problem to some people. Does the verse mean to imply that, although after proper training, a child may go astray, in old age he will surely turn again unto the Lord? Certainly this is not the primary teaching of the passage. The Revised Version helps to make clear its true meaning in stating clearly that it is the duty of parents to train the child properly, the prom ise being that “when he is old, he will not depart” from the teaching. It is a great and satisfying thought that if children are instructed in the way of the Lord, they will never wander off into paths of sin, nor will they spend years in sowing wild oats. As a tree ever follows the bent of its early years, so will sons and daughters, who in their earliest days are taught to love the Lord. For the Children W h a t M akes A H a pp y H ome ? ( R u th 2; P roverbs 1:8; 3:3; 4:1-6) M emory V erse : “Even a child is known by his doings, whether his work be pure, and whether it be right” (Prov. 20:11). Do you find it easier to dry the dishes or mow the lawn for a friend than you do for your parents? Cheer ful helpfulness and obedience make homes happy; these are to be expect ed in the lives of Christian boys and girls. Ruth’s husband had died. Ruth went to live with her mother-in-law in a strange land. She might have been sullen and selfish; she might have expected to be waited upon and entertained. Instead, she went out into the field and worked hard each day gathering ears of com for her mother-in-law and herself. She did not complain; always she did her work willingly and cheerfully. Many parents have been led to the Lord Jesus Christ by their children’s living Christian lives in their homes. Home is the hardest place to be kind, generous, courteous, cheerful, and helpful. Children whose parents THE K I N G ’ S B U S I N E S S
AUGUST 3, 1947 MAKING GOOD IN FAMILY LIFE P rov . 1:8,9; 6:20-23; 17:1, 6; 22:6; 23:22-26
Outline and Exposition W isdom for C hildren (1:8, 9; 6:20-23)
wants to give a new heart to him; but He does ask His own for his heart, as He desires to be the ruler of the Christian’s life and controller of his actions, to the highest ad vantage of the one so controlled.
Parental instruction is to be obeyed by children, and such obedi ence will become an ornament of beauty wherever the child goes (1:8, 9). Parental instruction is to be high ly esteemed by the young person, bound upon his heart and tied about his neck. It will control his life, guard against pride, and protect him from evil desires (6:20,21). Parental instruction will provide the son or daughter with security when walking, safety when sleeping, and satisfaction when waking. And it will illumine the path of life, re vealing both the dangers and the beauties of that path (6:22,23). W isdom for P arents (17 :1 ; 22:6) The wise parent will remember that children are trained by what they see and hear, more than by what they eat. It is better for chil dren to endure scarcity of material things in the home and have peace and quietness therein, than to have physical luxuries with strife (17:1). The wise parent will train the children when they are young and amenable to control, instead of waiting until their wills are set, and, spoiled, they demand what parents cannot give (22:6). W isdom for A ll A dults (23:22-26) Honoring aged parents is buying truth, wisdom, instruction, and un derstanding (w . 22, 23), The pay ment for such buying is in the honor accorded to the aged, giving respect and thought to them, and rendering obedience to their teaching. This will issue in delight and satisfaction for the aged ones (vv. 24, 25). The summing up of this lesson is to* yield the heart to the One with authority (v. 26). The Lord never asks the sinner for his heart; He
Outline and Exposition B. B. S utcliffe Points and Problems H omer A . K ent For the Children A llison A rrowood
Lesson material is based upon outlines of Internation al Sunday School Lessons, copyrighted by the Interna tional Council of Religious Education; used by permis sion.
Points and Problems “My sow” (1:8). This is the first of 14 addresses in the book of Proverbs beginning with these words, and the words, "my children.” See 1:10, 15; 2:1; 3:1, 11, 21; 4:1, 10, 20; 5:1; 6:1, 20; 7:1. It suggests the importance of the filial relationship among the children of God. Indeed, only obedi ence to God is more important. It should be carefully noted in this connection that the fifth of the ten commandments, and the first with promise is, "Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee” (Ex. 20:12). Compare Ephesians 6:1, 2. “Children’s children are the crown of old men; and the glory of chil dren are their fathers” (17:6). Here is God’s pattern for a happy home situation. In such a home, grandchil dren cheer and rejuvenate grand parents, and children willingly obey the instructions of their parents. Such a home becomes a miniature of heaven, and love rules every heart.
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