The Bible: Family Guidebook

“Hear, my children, the instruction of a father, and give attention and gain understanding. For I give you good doctrine:  Do not forsake my law.  When I was my father’s son, tender and the only one in the sight of my mother, he also taught me and said to me: ‘Let your heart retain my words; Keep my commands and live.’”

                                                                                                   Proverbs 4:1 – 4 

Here in Proverbs we see a very important scene unfold.  A son recalls one instance where his father sat down and talked to him about life.  He remembered that his father shared words of wisdom about the importance of gaining wisdom and understanding in life.  How critical and powerful this scene is.  What a blessing it must have been to this man in his life to have had this experience.  A man took time to share wisdom and insight with his son about life. 

A wise father will make it a goal to regularly turn off the T.V., the radio, and the mp3 player. He will turn off the iPod, the video game system, and all the electronic weapons of mass distraction.  He will then take time to talk with his son – with his children – about the wisdom found in God’s Word.   And he will talk to his children about how to apply and put wisdom to work in different areas of their lives. 

In the book of Proverbs, one of the crucial lessons is that parents need to take time to teach their children about the Word of God.  We need to help our children learn that the Bible is not a big mysterious book that preachers pull sermons out of and that Sunday school teachers teach from.  Rather, it is a guidebook for all of life.  

       Topics to be taught, discussed, and considered are so many.  A few are – 

• the importance in life of fearing God
• the importance of always pursuing wisdom
• the importance of avoiding sexual temptation
• the importance of working hard
• the importance of having a good name
• being careful in selecting the people you associate with
• how to handle money wisely
• always avoid getting drunk or high from alcohol or drugs
• the importance of wisely choosing your spouse 

Circumstances change over time, yet the issues remain basically the same.  The book of Proverbs all by itself is a great textbook for parents in teaching children about key issues and concerns in life. 

Parents should make the time to help children get in the Word of God and even have them to read from it.  From there, let’s take the time to talk with them about the issues and matters about which they have just read.  

“Your Word is a Lamp to my feet, and a Light to my path.”  Psalm 119:105 

Eleven Excellent Reasons You should Read the Word of God Everyday 

1. It tells you how to be genuinely saved and how to grow up in your faith. John 3:16, Psalm 119:105, Romans 12:1, 2, and Phil. 4:6,7
2. It gives you clear guidance and direction for much of your life. Psalm 119:105
3. It empowers your prayer life. 4:6,7
4. It sharpens your ability to hear the voice of the Holy Spirit more and more clearly in your life. I Corinthians 1:5
5. It ministers to your mind, body, and spirit. Proverbs 4:20 - 22
6. It helps you to maintain your mental health, (according to Dr. Paul Meier) Prov. 4.
7. It increases the anointing on every area of your life. I Corinthians 1:5
8. It increases your wisdom in every area of your life. Proverbs 1 - 4
9. It enhances your intellect and your personality. (It can literally increase your I.Q.) I Corinthians 1:5
10. It pours grace, joy, and peace into your spirit, your mind and your life. II Cor. 1:2, I Timothy 1:2, and II Timothy 1:2, and Galatians 5:22  
11. In direct statement or in principle, it gives you guidance and/or direction about every issue or topic in life. Psalm 119:105