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"TRAIN UP A CHILD..."
III. "A CHILD LEFT TO HIMSELF..." (Prov. 29:15)
- Children can be "left to themselves" by being overindulged or by being
neglected. Both are wrong and produce children who are disrespectful, selfish and irresponsible.
- Parents who are Christians are faced with some very real problems today. Our world is
filled with multiplied thousands of children whose parents literally leave them to fend for themselves . Other
parents, believing they are doing what is best for their children, never control and train them. In a scriptural
sense, these children are also "left to themselves." Children from these homes are never taught the value
of respect and self discipline. All they have learned is to take care of self. Where selfishness reigns, drug abuse,
rebellion, irresponsibility, freeloading, and violence are a common scene. Do you know any children like that?
- Also, a lack of respect for God and a disregard for Biblical truths have created an atmosphere
where parents are almost afraid to discipline their children. They are afraid because there are, at least, implied
threats of "child abuse " by those who see any kind of physical discipline of children as abusive conduct.
Are you afraid to discipline your children in public?
QUESTIONS
- What does the wise man mean by "A child left to himself..." (Prov. 29:15)?
Is this an ancient "Home Alone" movie concept? The word "left" is used in Job 39:5 -- compare
its use there.
- Can parents become so involved in material things, that they "leave a child to himself"?
(This question does not address circumstances demanding both parents working to take care of the physical necessities
of life but care should be exercised that we do not justify materialism. Even if the mother MUST work, does it
diminish the effect on the child?
- What does Paul say to Titus (2:4-5) with reference to what the older women should teach
the younger women about their home responsibilities
- If children are left with a child care center or with a sitter, who is exercising the
greatest influence in training the children? Who is ultimately responsible if that influence is bad influence
- Can parents love their children too much? This is a play on words so explain your answer,
first of all, in view of a noble, unselfish love. Next, answer and explain in view of a parent who overindulges
his child, a parent who wants to shield his child from any hurt and gives the child whatever he wants. Which one
really loves his child? Note Prov. 13:24 and explain
- Note Prov. 17:21 -- "He who begetteth a fool doeth it to his sorrow; and the father
of a fool hath no joy." How much do your children affect your life? How would you feel, if your child was
known to be a drunkard, dopehead, rebel, immoral carouser, fool, etc.
- How much and in what way do you think children being "left to themselves" is
contributing to the decay of our country
- What effect is lack of proper child training having on the church? In what way
- What qualification did Paul give for elders with reference to their children? (1 Tim.
3:4-5). Why do you think God gave this qualification
- What does Paul mean in 1 Tim. 2:15 -- "Notwithstanding, she shall be saved in childbearing..."?
Does the ability of a woman to produce children give her a greater chance of salvation or does it relate to her
work beyond the gestation process in training her children? The AMSV puts it thusly: "But she shall be saved
through her child-bearing, if they continue in faith and love and sanctification with sobriety.
[Outline] [Purpose] [Recommended Reading] [Introduction] [Lesson
I] [Lesson II] [Lesson III] [Lesson IV] [Lesson V] [Lesson VI] [Lesson VII] [Lesson VIII] [Lesson IX]
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