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"TRAIN UP A CHILD..."
IX. THESE ARE OUR EXAMPLES
(Gen. 18:19; 22:1-19; 1 Sam. 2:12-3:13)
- Examples help us visualize what we cannot comprehend fully by theory. "Role
models" have an impact on thinking.
- The Bible furnishes us a few examples of parents -- some good, some not so good. It does
not mention them and say, "Be the same kind of parents they were," or "Don't act like these,"
but we can learn from them.
- In a more immediate setting, there are parents everywhere about us -- some good, some
not so good. If you want to learn parenting skills from your peers, don't pick out those who have rebellious, mixed
up children and ask their advice. Pick out parents whose parenting skills are evidenced in wise children. Parents
who failed, though they may have learned much "after the fact," are not good examples to follow. Learn
from those who have actually done a good job.
QUESTIONS
- What was God's confidence in Abraham as a parent? (Gen. 18:19)
- What impression do you think the faith of Abraham had on Isaac? (Gen. 22:1-19)
- What kind of children did Eli have? Describe their sins. (1 Sam. 2:12-3:13)
- Why did his sons turn out as they did?
- How would you evaluate Hanna as a mother (1 Sam. 1:1-2:11)?
- Though David was a man after God's own heart, how did his children turn out?
- One of David's son's, Solomon, was noted for his great wisdom and wrote many proverbs about training children.
How did his son "Rehoboam" turn out?
- Based on the kind of sons he had, what kind of father would you say Zebedee was?
- Nothing is said about Timothy's father except that he was a Greek. Based on the kind of man that Timothy was,
what would you conclude about his mother, Eunice, and his grandmother Lois? (2 Tim. 1:5)
- Do you know any parents who, in your estimation, have done a good job in rearing their children? Why would
you say that they exercised good parenting skills?
- Of whom would you ask advice about rearing your children? -- someone whose childrens' lives are a mess or someone
whose children are functional, faithful and responsible?
[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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