May 5, 2024 – Proverbs 13; 22; 23; 24; 29

Lesson Date: May 5, 2024

Focal Scripture Passage: Proverbs 13:24; 22:6, 15; 23:13-19; 24:13-20, 27; 29:15, 17

AIM: To lead students to discover biblical facts about godly parenting, and to confess their sins and commit to godly parenting and teaching in the future.

Before class: Read the notes on Proverbs 13; 22; 23; 24; and 29 found in the Sunday School Teacher Book.  Write the words “Teen Pregnancy,” “Underage Drinking,” “Gang Violence,” “Teen Drug Abuse,” and “Juvenile Crime,” on the board.

INTRODUCTION (Create Learning Readiness): Direct the students’ attention to the words written on the board.  Ask: “How serious are these problems in America today?” (very serious).  Ask: “Are these problems more common or less common than they were 50 or 100 years ago?” (they are more common, widespread, and deadly than they used to be).  Ask: “What are some ways the government has tried to correct these problems?” (through education and social programs).

Tell the class that all of us are grateful for any children or young people who are helped and straightened out through education and social programs; but it seems the more money the government throws at these problems, the worse they become.  Ask: “Which do you think is more effective in preventing the problems listed on the board: special programs in the schools, or wise parenting in the home?” (wise parenting is far more effective because it is combined with a loving parent/child relationship and 24/7 attention to the child’s needs).

Ask: “Where do most parents learn how to raise their children?” (they learn from their own experiences growing up in their parents’ home; in other words, most people follow the same patterns and standards set by their parents).  Note that when bad parenting takes place in one generation, it usually leads to bad parenting in the next generation, and the next, and the next, etc.  Ask: “What can be done to break this destructive pattern of bad parenting?” (someone must stop doing what comes naturally and start following God’s guidelines for wise parenting).

Tell the class the title of today’s lesson is Godly Parenting.  Tell them we will study several passages from Proverbs that reveal God’s guidelines for wise, godly parenting.

HEART OF THE LESSON (Bible Study):

1. Review.
   • Remind the students that we are studying the Old Testament book of Proverbs.
   • Ask: “What was last week’s lesson about?” (Dangers of Drinking; we discovered some of what the Bible says about the many dangers of drinking alcoholic beverages).
   • Ask if anyone would recite last week’s memory verse (Prov. 20:1).
2. The Need for Godly Parenting.
   • Ask everyone to turn to Proverbs 22.
   • Ask a volunteer to read Proverbs 22:15.
   • Ask: “What is ‘bound up’ in the heart of a child?” (foolishness).
   • Ask: “What do you think that means?” (children are naturally immature and have not learned to make wise choices; they are selfish and want immediate gratification; they don’t have the wisdom to make adult decisions).
   • Ask: “What can free the child from the bonds of foolishness?” (the rod of correction).
   • Explain the following:
     • We learn by experiencing the consequences of our actions.
     • Corporal punishment, lovingly and properly administered, teaches a child that foolish and selfish choices have consequences.
     • The Bible never endorses child abuse, but punishment for bad choices is the best way for a child to learn not to make those same bad choices again.
   • Ask everyone to turn to Proverbs 29.
   • Read Proverbs 29:15.
   • Ask: “What comes through godly discipline?” (wisdom).
   • Ask: “What will become of a child who is never disciplined?” (he will bring shame to his parents).
   • Summarize: Children are naturally foolish, selfish, and unwise, so they need godly parents to lovingly correct and train them.
3. The Motivation for Godly Parenting.
   • Tell the students that godly parenting and discipline require consistency and hard work, which is why many parents today simply ignore behavior problems.
   • Ask everyone to turn to Proverbs 13.
   • Ask a volunteer to read Proverbs 13:24.
   • Ask: “What does this verse say about parents who refuse to discipline their children?” (they hate their children).
   • Ask: “What does the parent who truly loves his or her children do?” (discipline them when needed).
   • Explain the following:
     • Some parents claim they “love” their children too much to discipline them.
     • In reality, such parents love themselves too much to give the time and energy necessary to lovingly discipline their children.
     • Parental discipline should be patterned after God’s discipline of His children.
     • Hebrews 12:6 says, “For whom the Lord loveth He chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom He receiveth.”
   • Summarize: The motivation for godly parenting is unselfish love: desiring what’s best for the child, rather than what’s easiest or most convenient for the parent.
4. The Blessings of Godly Parenting.
   • Tell the students that we have discovered the reason children need godly parenting and that godly parenting is motivated by love; next we will discover some of the blessings that come from godly parenting.
   • Ask everyone to turn to Proverbs 22.
   • Ask a volunteer to read Proverbs 22:6.
   • Ask: “What blessing comes from giving a child godly training?” (the child will learn godly principles that will guide him for the rest of his life).
   • Ask everyone to turn to Proverbs 23.
   • Read Proverbs 23:13-14.
   • Ask: “What blessing comes from godly correction and discipline?” (it can deliver the child from death and hell, preparing his or her heart to follow Jesus).
   • Ask a volunteer to read Proverbs 23:15-16.
   • Ask: “What blessing comes when a child lives out the wisdom he has been taught?” (his parents rejoice).
   • Read Proverbs 23:17-19.
   • Tell the students that godly parents teach their children to avoid sinners and cling to the Lord, because their actions today will shape their future.
   • Ask everyone to turn to Proverbs 29.
   • Ask a volunteer to read Proverbs 29:17.
   • Ask: “What blessing comes from correcting a child when he is young?” (the child will bring rest and delight to his parents).
   • Summarize: Godly parenting blesses children by teaching them to stay away from sin and cling to the Lord, which in turn brings their parents joy and peace.
5. The Teaching of Godly Parenting.
   • Tell the class that godly parenting involves much more than corrective discipline, it also includes teaching children biblical principles.
   • Ask everyone to turn to Proverbs 24.
   • Read Proverbs 24:13-14.
   • Explain that parents should teach their children that godly wisdom is sweet, satisfying, and yields many rewards.
   • Ask a volunteer to read Proverbs 24:15-16.
   • Ask: “What will godly parents teach their children?” (God enables a just man to get back up when he stumbles, but the wicked man falls headlong into sin).
   • Read Proverbs 24:17-20.
   • Ask: “According to verses 17-18, why must we not rejoice or gloat when our enemy falls?” (because the Lord will not be pleased with our attitude).
   • Ask: “According to verses 19-20, why shouldn’t we worry about or be envious of wicked people?” (because they have no future, except for death and hell).
   • Ask a volunteer to read Proverbs 24:27.
   • Explain the following:
     • Ancient people had to be sure their food supply (crops they grew in their field) was secure before giving attention to fixing up their homes.
     • Godly parents teach their children to be wise by doing first things first.
   • Summarize: Godly parenting includes teaching children biblical principles for wise living.

PERSONAL APPLICATION: Remind the students that the title of today’s lesson is Godly Parenting.  Tell them that we have learned about the need for godly parenting, the motivation for godly parenting, the blessings of godly parenting, and some of the things that godly parents should teach their children.

Ask: “How does this lesson relate to you, and what have you learned from it?”  Allow time for some responses.  Tell the students that all of us are human, which means we all fall short in every area of life, including parenting.

Ask everyone to bow their head and close their eyes.  Ask: “Are you a parent or do you have parental influence over a grandchild or other child?”  State that every child deserves and needs loving, firm, consistent discipline.  Urge everyone to confess their shortcomings as a parent and make a commitment God to do better, starting today.

Ask: “Are you a child still living under your parents’ roof?”  State that their parents’ discipline is an evidence of their love.  Urge young people to confess any sins of rebellion and disobedience, ask their parents’ forgiveness, and make a commitment to God to submit, obey, and learn from their parents.

Ask: “Do you know someone who needs help with parenting skills?”  Urge everyone to tell them what the Bible says, offer practical advice, and pray for them.

Allow a moment for silent prayer, and then voice a closing prayer.

CONCLUSION: Ask everyone to memorize Proverbs 22:6.  Urge them to follow through with any commitments they have made today.