Monday, January 17, 2011

Everday Wisdom and Instruction in Proverbs

by Lois Breneman, © 2008, Heart to Heart 
 
Proverbs is a book of the Bible filled with practical wisdom and instruction for everyday life.  For each day, why not read the chapter in Proverbs corresponding to that particular day of the month?  On the months with less than thirty-one days, just double up on the last day, so you don't miss that well-known chapter especially for women -- Proverbs 31!
 
Teach your children to read a chapter in Proverbs each day, by helping them get started this summer.  Talk with them about how all the answers to life are found in one book, God's Word, with a great deal of wisdom found in this little book of Proverbs.  It contains so much wisdom to learn and digest, so let's get started.
 
The topics covered in Proverbs are many, but some of the practical subjects you will find are the following:
 
Child discipline                                        How to be a virtuous woman
Job relationships                                     Consequences of moral failure
Diligence in work                                     How to resist and flee temptation
How to handle money                              How to stay out of trouble
Lending and borrowing                           How to choose friends
Family relationships                                Obedience to parents
How to tame your tongue                        How to control your anger
Dependability                                           Relationship with neighbors
Consequences of disobedience            Child-parent relationships
The downfall of pride                               Difference between foolishness/wisdom
Grandparents                                           Attributes of a fool
Rich and poor                                           Difference between the wicked/righteous
Rulers in authority                                     Reasons for happy and sad countenances
Warnings not to flirt                                   Warnings not to sow discord
Why you need not be fearful                    Modesty in dress and behavior
Importance of the tongue                         Saying "No" to peer pressure
Trusting the Lord                                       Seeking the Lord's will for your life
Pureness of heart                                     Following mercy and truth
Understanding                                           Giving to God of your wealth
Warning about gambling                          How to be discerning
Keeping God's commandments              Jealousy and envy
How to choose a godly spouse               Teaching children about opposite sex        
Inner beauty verses outer beauty             Importance of fearing the Lord
Importance of godly council                     Tattling
God's provision to His children                Love verses hatred
Security in wisdom                                    Integrity
A contentious woman                               The seductive woman
Winning souls                                            The peril of adultery
How to turn away wrath                             Committing your work to the Lord
God hears prayers of righteous               A merry heart
Finding a wife is a good thing                 Faithfulness
A good name                                                Humility
Loving pleasure, wine and oil                   Even children are known by what they do
Warning not to love sleep                         Listen to and follow instruction
How to treat your enemies                        Why not to answer a fool
Righteous/wicked in authority                  Marriage and family life 
For 3 things the earth is disquieted         For 4 things the earth cannot bear
Warning about wine and drunkenness    7 things that are abomination to Lord
Every word of God is pure                        3 things too wonderful for me
Disobedience and mocking of parents   Being partners in crime
Being partners in business                       Lying
Leaving an inheritance                              Importance of Humor
 
A thorough study of Proverbs would benefit each one of us, as we slowly go through this book of treasures.  We might begin by copying and pasting this list, and leaving room to write down the references as we find them.  Many of these topics will have multiple references.  We will be certain to find many more topics to add to this list!  A systematic study of Proverbs, as well as reading one chapter in this practical book each day, along with other books in the Bible, will make a difference in the lives of us, our children and grandchildren.
 
For mothers with younger children, set aside some time to help your children make their own "Proverbs Picture Book," finding pictures to go along with various scriptures in Proverbs.  Laminate the pages and bind them together with ribbon.  It's best not to use construction paper, because the color will fade.  We still have the two Proverbs picture books my daughter and I made together, and thirty years later, they are still in good condition, since they were laminated and treated like the treasures they are.  One book is entitled, "What God Says about Discipline and Love."  The other book is "Proverbs for Joy and Jeff."  The name, Jamie, was added later.

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