A Parental Responsibility

AS modern-day society is quickly discovering, there is no substitute for a solid, stable home life. Where parents are absent, negligent, or abusive, children will probably not learn to cope with the world in a healthy way. For that reason, Proverbs stresses that parents are given to children to impart wisdom (Proverbs 4:3-4). Out of their own seasoning, struggles, and suffering, parents can offer experience and insight that will help the next generation get started on the right course.

God’s intention is that both parents are to be involved in their family’s learning process. Fathers are to take the lead as sources of guidance and direction, and mothers are to offer governing principles based on God’s Word (Proverbs 1:8; 4:1; 6:20). In addition, Proverbs 4:3-4 implies that grandparents play a role, largely through the parenting they have done with the parents of their grandchildren.

In this way, a family is to “train up a child in the way he should go” (Proverbs 22:6). That is the gift that the home gives. The child might not appreciate that gift until he is older, but parents are urged to give it nonetheless. Indeed, they cannot afford not to.

Courtesy of Nelson’s New Illustrated Bible Commentary
Unless otherwise noted, Scripture taken from the New King James Version®, NKJV © 1982 by Thomas Nelson.
Used by permission. All rights reserved.