Sermon Overview

Scripture Passage: Proverbs 1:20, 22

Are you raising your child to be wise or otherwise?

Proverbs 1:22 says, “How long, ye simple ones, will ye love simplicity? And the scorners delight in their scorning? And fools hate knowledge?”

Adrian Rogers says, “A fool is not born a fool. A fool is self-made, but he has a lot of help from his parents.” It is difficult to raise children. But God tells us exactly how to raise a wise son or daughter in His word.

Step 1: Begin early.

In Proverbs 1:22, we see a path of progression: a simple-minded one (or a naive one) becomes a scorner (or a smart-aleck), and then a scorner becomes a fool (or a rebel).

Don’t wait until your child is a fool to correct him. Begin in his happy-go-lucky years of open-mindedness and naivety. It will only be more difficult to speak godly wisdom into your child’s life if he progresses into a scorner. Once he becomes a fool, there is very little hope for him.

Step 2: Continue wisely.

Read the Book of Proverbs often. Live biblically and guide your child to know biblical principles. Guard his company. Punish him when necessary. Let him see the serious side of sin; of what society has so-well convinced him to laugh about.

If your child becomes a scorner, back off. Repent and get your heart right with Jesus first. Then, ask God to open his heart, and wait for the right time to correct him and guide him back onto the path of righteousness.

What if you’ve raised a fool?

Step 3: Pray continually.

This is your only hope. Here are three things to pray for your child:

• the repentance of the sinner.

• the revelation of the Spirit.

• the reliability of the Scripture.

Children can choose to go the wrong way if they want to. No matter how good you are or how much you do.

The good news is God loves your child as you love them. He will not force him to do right, but He wants for them even more than you want for them. Pray for them without ceasing. Your desire for your children is that they be godly children. Your goal is that you be a godly parent.

 

Apply it to your life

Begin early, continue wisely, and pray faithfully for the children that God has given you.