Sprinters will tell you that the first few steps of a race usually determine its outcome. It is often the same with our lives. The things that we learn at home as small children can set the course for our entire journey through life.
Family values
Read Proverbs 4:1
Solomon calls his sons together to hear the wisdom that was passed down to him by his father David when he was a boy. We are not born wise—we need to be taught.
And one of the normal, God-ordained ways for children to learn wisdom is from their parents. For Solomon, wisdom was a family tradition that went all the way back to Ruth and Boaz (David’s great-grandparents).
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TIME OUT… Read Deuteronomy 6:4
If you are a parent…
• What are your children learning from you? What wisdom or folly is part of your family’s heritage?
• What can you do to instruct your children in wisdom this week? (Hint: read Proverbs with them!)
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The one thing
Read Proverbs 4:5
• What is the basic message Solomon wants to get across to his children (v 5, 7)?
• What are the benefits that Solomon promises to those who get wisdom?
How to get it
Re-read Proverbs 4:1
• What do the sons need to do?
All of the wisdom that the father wants to communicate to his sons depends on their willingness to listen to him. You get wisdom by listening and heeding and paying attention.
As we have seen in Proverbs, your spiritual well-being depends on your humility—your willingness to trust the LORD’s word instead of whatever your own understanding might be.
Notice how often Proverbs sings the praises of wisdom, and urges us to listen (eg: Proverbs 1:2).
• Why does Proverbs repeat this point so often to us, do you think?
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PRAY… Read Matthew 7:24
Ask God to show you areas of your life where you are not trusting His word and putting it into action. Pray for strength to change.
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This devotional is taken from Explore—a daily Bible-reading devotional from the good book company which enables you to engage with Scripture and which will encourage, equip and inspire you to live for Christ. Explore features contributions from pastors such as Dr Timothy Keller, Mike McKinley and Tim Chester.
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