Proverbs 1:8-33

“My son, hear the instruction of your father, and do not forsake the law of your mother; for they will be a graceful ornament on your head, and chains about your neck.” (Proverbs 1:8–9, NKJV)

As Solomon wrote these proverbs, he did it from the perspective of a father advising his son. Every good parent knows how important it is to train their sons and daughters. We make sure they are fed and clothed, and as they get older we make sure they go to school to learn the skills necessary to succeed in life. But it is also so very important to train them spiritually. The LORD emphasized this training in the book of Deuteronomy.

“And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up.” (Deuteronomy 6:6–7, NKJV)

We must do this with our children and grandchildren. How else can we protect them from and prepare them for the perverse generation in which we live?

When our children were growing up, I tried to read Bible stories and pray with them at bedtime. With our busy schedules this was not always possible. But when we went on vacations I would start the day with morning devotions. This was not always popular when our children were chomping at the bit to go into Disneyland! But Cindy and I both wanted to give our kids a solid foundation of faith.

Yesterday at the South Sudanese church service our team of eight pastors was asked to introduce ourselves. I shared about our church in Boise, the prayers of our people for their congregation, and the roles of our adult children in our church. When I mentioned that our son is an assistant pastor and our daughter plays keyboard on the worship team, everyone clapped.

Some things have universal appeal. And we will never regret training up our children in the way of the Lord!