YOU ASKED FOR IT: KIDS – RAISING THEM RIGHT

Pastor Jonathan Falwell 

Proverbs 22:6 (NKJV) Train up a child in the way he should go, And when he is old he will not depart from it. 

The most important thing we can do in training up children in the way they should go is for us to walk the right path before them. Modeling Christian behavior is indispensable in raising our kids the right way. 

Ed Hindson said, “We need to set the example for our children by modeling the attitudes and behaviors we expect from them[1]”

1. Give them the right name 

Proverbs 22:1-3 (CSB) A good name is to be chosen over great wealth; favor is better than silver and gold. 2Rich and poor have this in common: the Lord makes them all. 3A sensible person sees danger and takes cover, but the inexperienced keep going and are punished.

• A “good name” refers to our reputation which is earned, not given
• Verse 2 indicates our wealth and status have nothing to do with our value in life, all are equal before God
• Verse 3 teaches us to model prudent behavior
• A good name comes from character and integrity

A.W. Tozer said this, “As Christian disciples, we should be whatever we are wherever we are. Like a diamond. A diamond doesn’t adjust—it is always a diamond. And so, Christians ought always to be Christians. We are not Christians if we have to wait for the right atmosphere to practice our religion. We are not Christians if we have to go to church to be blessed. We are not Christians until we are thoroughly Christ’s—until we have reached the point of no return, not seasonal anymore—but regular always. Then, the Lord says, we are real disciples. We are following on to know the Lord![2] 

Proverbs 10:9 (CSB) The one who lives with integrity lives securely, but whoever perverts his ways will be found out.

Proverbs 11:3 (CSB) The integrity of the upright guides them, but the perversity of the treacherous destroys them.

2. Give them the right example

Proverbs 22:4-6 (CSB) Humility, the fear of the Lord, results in wealth, honor, and life. 5There are thorns and snares on the way of the crooked; the one who guards himself stays far from them. 6Start a youth out on his way; even when he grows old he will not depart from it.

• Pride and arrogance can never produce the right attitude in children
• A Godly parent will model avoiding the “snares” of our present day and teach our kids to do the same
• Verse 6 indicates the importance of starting early, starting now
• Verse 6 is nor referring to the “way” the parents feel is right, it is referring to God’s way which is always right
• Tony Evans said, “We shouldn’t soft-pedal the truth or only say what our children want to hear. And we shouldn’t bulldoze them or beat them over the head with the truth either[3]”

Proverbs 11:2 (CSB) When arrogance comes, disgrace follows, but with humility comes wisdom.

Proverbs 16:18 (CSB) Pride comes before destruction, and an arrogant spirit before a fall.

Proverbs 22:4 (CSB) Humility, the fear of the Lord, results in wealth, honor, and life.

Warren Weirsbe said, “True humility means knowing yourself, accepting yourself, and being yourself—your best self—to the glory of God. It means avoiding two extremes: thinking less of yourself than you ought to (as did Moses when God called him…or thinking more of yourself than you ought to (Rom. 12:3). The truly humble person does not deny the gifts God has given him, but uses them to the glory of God.”[4]

3. Give them a lesson in giving

Proverbs 22:7-9  (CSB) The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is a slave to the lender. 8The one who sows injustice will reap disaster, and the rod of his fury will be destroyed. 9A generous person will be blessed, for he shares his food with the poor.

• A Godly parent will teach and model the proper attitude towards money, possessions and debt
• We must act properly towards others because every action has an equal and opposite reaction – Newton’s Third Law
  • Tony Evans said, “If you plant tomatoes, you won’t get pumpkins[5]”
• Genuine care for others should be taught AND caught

Proverbs 19:17 (CSB) Kindness to the poor is a loan to the Lord, and he will give a reward to the lender.

Proverbs 28:25 (CSB) A greedy person stirs up conflict, but whoever trusts in the Lord will prosper.

Proverbs 28:27 (CSB) The one who gives to the poor will not be in need, but one who turns his eyes away will receive many curses.

4. Give them a love for righteousness

Proverbs 22:10-11 (CSB) Drive out a mocker, and conflict goes too; then quarreling and dishonor will cease. 11The one who loves a pure heart and gracious lips—the king is his friend.

• “pure heart” is a description of righteousness and righteous living
• You will DO what you LOVE
• Robert Mounce said, “Righteousness is a gift from God. It is a gift given by him to those who live by faith. As the prophet Habakkuk declared, “The righteous will live by faith” (Hab 2:4).[6]”

Proverbs 1:7 (CSB) The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and discipline.

Proverbs 11:6 (CSB) The righteousness of the upright rescues them, but the treacherous are trapped by their own desires.

Proverbs 15:29 (CSB) The Lord is far from the wicked, but he hears the prayer of the righteous.

Proverbs 27:19 (CSB) As water reflects the face, so the heart reflects the person.

[1] Hindson, Edward E. Courageous Faith: Life Lessons from Old Testament Heroes, 2003.

[2] Tozer, Aiden Wilson. The Quotable Tozer II: More Wise Words with a Prophetic Edge, 1997.

[3] Tony Evans, The Tony Evans Bible Commentary (Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers, 2019), 603.

[4] Warren W. Wiersbe, The Bible Exposition Commentary, vol. 1 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1996), 64.

[5] Tony Evans, The Tony Evans Bible Commentary (Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers, 2019), 603.

[6] Robert H. Mounce, Romans, vol. 27, The New American Commentary (Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1995), 37.