PARENTING PRINCIPLES FROM PROVERBS Parenting Principles from Proverbs

PARENTING PRINCIPLES FROM PROVERBS

Parenting Principles from Proverbs 1. Discipline Well Chasten your son while there is hope, and let not your soul spare for his crying. (Proverbs 19: 8) Correct your son, and he shall give you rest; yes, he shall give delight unto your soul. (Proverbs 29: 17)

Parenting Principles from Proverbs 1. Discipline Well (cont’d) • It’s a pay me now or pay me later principle. • You will “hurt” children now or they will become “hurt” later in life. • We should never, for any reason, “abuse” children in discipline.

Parenting Principles from Proverbs 1. Discipline Well (cont’d) • We do, however, need to bring children’s “will” to be subordinate to the will of people in charge. • The rest of children’s lives, they need to submit to authority. • Someone else will always be in charge.

Parenting Principles from Proverbs 1. Discipline Well (cont’d) • The… (a) amount, (b) type, and (c) severity of discipline should be tailored to the… (1) Specific Child and … (2) Particular circumstances

Parenting Principles from Proverbs 1. Discipline Well (cont’d) • Three behaviors for which parents should routinely discipline: (1) Disrespect (2) Disobedience (3) Deliberate irresponsibility

Parenting Principles from Proverbs 2. Train Up Your Children Well Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it. (Proverbs 22: 6) 22: 6 The rod and reproof give wisdom: but a child left to himself brings his mother to shame. (Proverbs 29: 15) 29: 15

Parenting Principles from Proverbs 2. Train Up Your Children Well • If all parents do is “punish” children, then they are not fulfilling their intended parental roles. • Discipline (compared to “punishment”) involves explanations, teaching, mentoring, and guiding.

Parenting Principles from Proverbs 3. Have Good Relationships Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her. (Proverbs 31: 28)

Parenting Principles from Proverbs 3. Have Good Relationships (cont’d) • The text implies that children have good relationships with their mothers. • The fact that the husband also is mention suggests that family members get along well.

Parenting Principles from Proverbs 4. Leave a Spiritual Inheritance A good man leaves an inheritance to his children's children: and the wealth of the sinner is laid up for the just. (Proverbs 13: 22)

Parenting Principles from Proverbs 4. Leave a Spiritual Inheritance (cont’d) • While the text specifically addresses monetary inheritance, the principle can also be applied to leaving a spiritual inheritance. • Spiritual inheritance is for what you are remembered.

Parenting Principles from Proverbs 4. Leave a Spiritual Inheritance (cont’d) • When children/grandchildren look at our lives, they draw from the good we left them: Our character, reputation, values, defining moments, and sum of our life decisions. • Stand for something good and leave that legacy to your children and grandchildren.