Proverbs 1:8-19

Spend time in prayer and silence with God asking Him to meet with you and speak to you.

Bible Reading

Listen, my son, to your fatherʼs instruction
and do not forsake your motherʼs teaching.
They are a garland to grace your head
and a chain to adorn your neck.

My son, if sinful men entice you,
do not give in to them.
If they say, “Come along with us;
letʼs lie in wait for innocent blood,
letʼs ambush some harmless soul;
letʼs swallow them alive, like the grave,
and whole, like those who go down to the pit;
we will get all sorts of valuable things
and fill our houses with plunder;
cast lots with us;
we will all share the loot”—
my son, do not go along with them,
do not set foot on their paths;
for their feet rush into evil,
they are swift to shed blood.
How useless to spread a net
where every bird can see it!
These men lie in wait for their own blood;
they ambush only themselves!
Such are the paths of all who go after ill-gotten gain;
it takes away the life of those who get it.

– Proverbs 1:8-19

Devotion

Yesterday we saw that God desires for parents to show their children what godliness looks like through living out an authentic faith. Today we are going to see that there are two aspects of parental instruction that parents should remember. The two aspects are discipleship and discipline. These two are essential for wisdom to be instilled into the hearts of children. Today we will look at discipleship. Every time you see the words “My son” in Proverbs, take note. What often follows will be some kind of instruction from Solomon to his son on different aspects of life. As parents, we are called to instruct our children on how to live wisely in all aspects of life. The above passage is Solomon disciplining his son regarding peer pressure; however, throughout Proverbs he instructs his son to pay attention to wise counsel, how to put his trust in God, how to protect his heart, and how to speak properly. This is an example of what we should be doing regularly for our children as well. Discipleship is one of the greatest privileges and responsibilities we have as parents.

The Big Question

What are some ways that you are disciplining your children? What are some ways that you can become a better discipliner of you kids? If you do not have kids, what are ways you can disciple those who are younger in their faith than you are?

Conclude your time in prayer and silence reflecting on what you have learned.