Principles from Proverbs on Raising Teenagers

Most people believe Teenage is the period of life when one behaves rebelliously to parents and any authorities over him. However, Proverbs 22:6 says, “Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.” Moreover, history has revealed that there were some teenagers who were smarter and wiser than many adults. Such as John Quincy Adams who in 1781 held an ambassadorial post in Russia, Laura Ingalls Wilder in 1882 taught in public school, David Farragut in 1813 commanded a captured British vessel[1]. Biblically, we have Joseph, Joshua, Jesus and many more. Parents can learn various principles to bring up teenagers from the book of Proverbs. Here are some of the Principles:

1.      We must teach them the fear of the Lord

Proverbs 1:7 “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.”

Proverbs 9:10 “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight.”

Proverbs 14:27 “The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, that one may turn away from the snares of death.”

Proverbs 15:16 “Better is a little with the fear of the LORD than great treasure and trouble with it.”

Proverbs 23:17 “Let not your heart envy sinners, but continue in the fear of the LORD all the day.”

2.      We must warn them of a bad decision

Proverbs 22:8 “Whoever sows injustice will reap calamity, and the rod of his fury will fail.”

3.      We must persuade them with hope

Proverbs 13:12 “Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a desire fulfilled is a tree of life.”

Proverbs 2:1, 5 “My son, if you receive my words and treasure up my commandments with you . . . then you will understand the fear of the LORD and find the knowledge of God.”

4.      We must warn them of unhealthy emotions

Proverbs 19:19 “A man of great wrath will pay the penalty, for if you deliver him, you will only have to do it again.”

Proverbs 20:3 “It is an honor for a man to keep aloof from strife, but every fool will be quarreling.”

Proverbs 25:28 “A man without self-control is like a city broken into and left without walls.”

5.      We must equip them with life skills

Proverbs 9:12 “If you are wise, you are wise for yourself; if you scoff, you alone will bear it.”

Proverbs 22:24-25 “Make no friendship with a man given to anger, nor go with a wrathful man, lest you learn his ways and entangle yourself in a snare.”

6.      We must teach them to respect and submit to authorities

Proverbs 30:17 “The eye that mocks a father and scorns to obey a mother will be picked out by the ravens of the valley and eaten by the vultures.”

Proverbs 15:5 “A fool despises his father's instruction, but whoever heeds reproof is prudent.”

Proverbs 19:26 “He who does violence to his father and chases away his mother is a son who brings shame and reproach.”

7.      We must be committed to building a relationship with them

Prov. 18:13 “If one gives an answer before he hears, it is his folly and shame.”

Proverbs 23:26 “My son, give me your heart, and let your eyes observe my ways.”

8.      We must show them our examples.

Proverbs 4:1-4 “Hear, O sons, a father's instruction, and be attentive, that you may gain insight, for I give you good precepts; do not forsake my teaching. When I was a son with my father, tender, the only one in the sight of my mother, he taught me and said to me, “Let your heart hold fast my words; keep my commandments, and live.”

9.      We must be praying earnestly

Proverbs 15:29 “The LORD is far from the wicked, but he hears the prayer of the righteous.”

Proverbs 8:17 “I love those who love me, and those who seek me diligently find me.”

10.  We must warn them of bad character

Proverbs 16:18 “Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.”

Proverbs 12:22 “Lying lips are an abomination to the LORD, but those who act faithfully are his delight.”

Proverbs 25:14 “Like clouds and wind without rain is a man who boasts of a gift he does not give.”

11. We must teach them not to fear man.

Proverbs 29:25 “The fear of man lays a snare, but whoever trusts in the LORD is safe.”

12. We must teach them to accept criticism

Proverbs 12:25 “Anxiety in a man's heart weighs him down, but a good word makes him glad.”

Proverbs 15:32 “Whoever ignores instruction despises himself, but he who listens to reproof gains intelligence.”

13. We must teach them to seek God especially in difficulties

Proverbs 18:10 – “The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous runs into it and is safe.”

14. We must teach them to obey God rather than personal desires

Proverbs 3:5-8 “Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. ​Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD, and turn away from evil. It will be healing to your flesh and refreshment to your bones.”

Proverbs 21:3 – “To do righteousness and justice is desired by the LORD more than sacrifice.”

15. We must teach them to guard their heart

Proverbs 4:23 – “Watch over your heart with all diligence, for from it flow the springs of life.”

Proverbs 28:26 “Whoever trusts in his own mind is a fool, but he who walks in wisdom will be delivered.”

16. We must teach them to hate sin

Proverbs 1:10 “My son, if sinners entice you, do not consent.”

Prov. 13:13-15 “Whoever despises the word brings destruction on himself, but he who reveres the commandment will be rewarded. The teaching of the wise is a fountain of life, that one may turn away from the snares of death. ​Good sense wins favor, but the way of the treacherous is their ruin.”

Proverbs 5:3, 8 “ the lips of a forbidden woman drip honey, and her speech is smoother than oil, . . . Keep your way far from her, and do not go near the door of her house,”

Proverbs 4:14 “Do not enter the path of the wicked, and do not walk in the way of the evil.”

17. We must recognize that they are to be taught. Children learn incrementally. They must learn with the exercise of self-control.

Prov. 18:15 “An intelligent heart acquires knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge.”

Prov. 1:2-4 “To know wisdom and instruction, to understand words of insight, to receive instruction in wise dealing, in righteousness, justice, and equity; to give prudence to the simple, knowledge and discretion to the youth—“

18. We must teach them of Relationships

Proverbs 22:24-25 “Make no friendship with a man given to anger, nor go with a wrathful man, lest you learn his ways and entangle yourself in a snare.”

Proverbs 27:6 “Faithful are the wounds of a friend; profuse are the kisses of an enemy.”

In Conclusion: There are scores of other topics to be taught to teenagers from the book of Proverbs alone, but these are the most common and relevant ones I have been thinking about. No matter how much one can and may gather Scriptural teaching from the Proverbs on raising up teenagers if one does not live a life of discipline and godliness and prayer and love for God, family, and children, raising up teenagers in a godly way will not be possible. The world is polluted enough with sin. The depravity of a sinner (both child and young teenager) should be driven away by either a rod of discipline or punishment. Like God chastens whom he loves, the parents must do so.

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[1] Reb Bradley, Parenting Teens with the Wisdom of Solomon

Block Diagramming: Ephesians 2:8-10

A screenshot of block diagramming of Eph. 2:8-10

Block Diagramming: Ephesians 1:3

A laptop screenshot of a block diagramming of Eph. 1:3

Image Scripture: Proverbs 2:1-5

A Devotional Reflection of Scripture

CHURCH AND LOCKDOWN

—Challenges And Hopes In Times Of Lockdown—

Dear Pastors, Church Members and Christians,

I pray and hope that God's grace is sufficient for us and our church at all times, even in this unusual time of Lockdown. For Christians, to not able to come to church for this long, when we are in good health is very unusual. We don't enjoy it. Yes, there were few Sundays, especially in winter, when we wished to stay under the blanket and skip church. But that feeling is not what we wear in our hearts this time. I am sure every Christian is missing the church fellowship after 5 consecutive Sundays being gone just like that. Sure, we might not be pious and devoted like the Psalmists (Ps. 27:4; Ps. 42:2; Ps. 84:10; Ps. 122:1) but we do agree as genuine Christians that we love to be in the house of God. The teaching of Hebrew exhorting us not to give up the habit of meeting together is not just an issue of sin for us anymore. (For if we skip church continuously, it's a sin because the Scripture commanded us not to. Any disobedience to the teaching of the Scripture is a sin.) Now, it is an issue of missing the blessings of fellowship— the delights, encouragements, services we missed from one another.

Oh! How we miss the fellowship! It is rightly so because we are to grow in the community. A Christian cannot exist individually as a lone Christian. Our calling as a Christian is in the body of Christ, where Christ is the head, and the church is His body. Each of us is a member of the body as an ear, eye, hand, etc. As an eye cannot exist alone and as an eye needs an ear and hand and so on, without a community of believers it is unthinkable for a Christian to exist. Therefore, missing the church in this Lockdown is a sign of being a true Christian. 

We have only a few people here in our church. Actually, looking at the nature and prospect of the ministry, it is difficult to call it a church, but we all know that there's no perfect church anywhere since the beginning of the conception of the first visible local church. So, we do not lose heart to go on as a body of Christ. Though we are young and immature, we understand the nature of the church and continue to seek and value the importance of meeting together at least once a week. So, even in this time of Lockdown, we convene Zoom Meeting. We sing, pray, read and study God's word, exhort and give updates about one another. Those who had the habit of skipping church continue to do so with this and that excuses. Those who love to have fellowship continue to show up irrespective of the timing. While the faithful realize the blessedness of fellowship in this Lockdown, the ignorant enjoy the suspension of church services. I suppose they fool their conscience by saying to themselves, "The government declared Lockdown, so stay home no matter what!" Before the Lockdown, even the nominal Christians had some sense of guilt for not coming to church. Now, they can fool their conscience from the feeling of guilt.

But you who are sensible know that feelings and reality are different. You can be guilty and not feel guilty. Also, you can feel guilty and actually be not guilty. As Ben Shapiro would always put in an effective way, "Fact doesn't care your feelings." Those ignorant who don't feel guilty for not coming to church now has always been guilty. And those faithful who feel terrible and guilty for missing the church for so long aren't guilty. You see, it's not the issue of circumstances, it's the issue of the heart, "Do you truly love the Lord Jesus Christ and His bride?"

We are not naive to have unrealistic expectations in this time of the pandemic, but we expect God to work in His time for His glory alone. We have been open to the idea that those who weren't able to wake up in time for Sunday worship service (before the Lockdown) would be able to join us if we schedule it in the evening. But it is evident that those who are faithful will remain faithful irrespective of circumstances, and those who are ignorant will remain ignorant even if an angel from heaven shows up. Abraham's reply to the rich man concerning the request of the rich man to send Lazarus to warn his brothers from the reality of his damnation in the story narrated by Jesus is indeed telling (Luke 16:19-31). A friend of mine once asked, "Why do you convene a meeting in Zoom seeing that it has only 45 minutes duration, why don't you use WhatsApp or other apps because you are few in numbers? Well, my reply is, "We know we are few, but we aren't supposed to be few. There are people who profess to be Christians, and by their profession, they should be joining us. Whether they join us today or not we are reserving a space for them where they should rightly occupy even if they don't show up today. And BTW, they may show up next time." Well, it has been 5 Sundays, and those who weren't serious before the Lockdown continue to be unmindful of. Some have hardened themselves by terminating the means of communication. As Pastor John MacArthur wisely counseled that a preacher should preach to the ones on the seats, and not be bothered with the empty seats. And as there are tares and wheat in the same field, we must rejoice with the wheat and not be discouraged with the tares of the field.

In summary: The challenge is, of course, the social distancing and the technical issues that come with the technology. Also the hardness of the hearts of some! The hope of ministry is that the Grace of God continues to work in us irrespective of circumstances, that the faithful remain faithful, and realize the grace of God in ordinary times (before the Lockdown) which we hardly took time to consider upon when things were going OK. As we endure this time, Pastors, as Paul exhorted Timothy, we must preach in season and out of season (2 Tim 2:2). Christians, we must remember the question of Jesus, “When the Son of man comes, will He find faith on earth?” (Luke 18:8). And Church Members, be of good cheers that Jesus is building His church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against His bride (Matthew 16:18).

Experience the Power of Resurrection

Easter/Resurrection Sunday     12 April 2020

BIBLE TIME: Matthew 28:1-8 (NKJV)
[For Annotated Text of Matthew 28:1-8 both Rongmei version and Englsih version, click here ANNOTATED_Easter_Text]

Theme: Experience the Power of Resurrection

We have been observing Easter Sunday every year! And we have the same message, that Jesus is Alive and Active. That’s the most sobering truth that one can ever realize at any time– that God is watching us. If you are a Christian that’s good news. In fact, the basis for our every Sunday worship is because of the Resurrection. The message of Resurrection is comforting and hopeful for us as it was to the disciples. Jesus rose from the dead, not just for the disciples who were sorrowful in Jerusalem, but He rose for all of us that we may have hope, life and every spiritual blessing in Him. Let’s study the account of Resurrection from Matthew 28:1-8.

This passage recounts the experience of the women who came to the tomb of Jesus (v1). They were sorrowful because the one whom they love, enjoy and was cruelty murdered by the people who despised them. Not only were they sorrowful but they were also in deep disappointment, because the Messiah whom they hope would give them a new life, new dreams, and bring social upliftment was crushed to death. We all have experienced such sorrow and disappointment in some forms– death of loved ones, shattered dreams, and so many things. Surely, Job is right, “Mankind is born for misery.” And then as the women went to the tomb, not to meet Jesus, but to anoint the dead (stinky, rotten smell) body of Jesus, they were met by an angel (v5). And that made all the difference in the history of the Universe. The angel told them what we already know by now, that Jesus was not yet rotten. In fact, their perfume was useless for He rose from the dead. And as you would expect, they were overjoyed. They couldn’t stand still but as excitement would always have us, they ran, quickly to spread the news, at the same time with awe (v12).

That’s the power of resurrection. We cannot experience that physical sight, but we can experience that joy and hope of life. So, today I want to help you realize that experience by showing you 2 power of Resurrection which is real for the women and which is real for us too from this passage. This account has two scenes: 1. Experience of the women before the knowledge of resurrection (1-4), 2. Experience of the women after the Resurrection (5-8). Each scene gives an account of how they were transformed by the reality of Resurrection.

SCENE I: BEFORE THE KNOWLEDGE OF RESURRECTION – Sorrows, Disappointments, Challenges [COMFORT]

Matt 28:1 Now after the Sabbath, as the first day of the week began to dawn, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to see the tomb.

Matt 28:2 And behold, there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door,^[a] and sat on it. [Challenge and Comfort1: Gracious-Mysteriously: Natural]

Matt 28:3 His countenance was like lightning, and his clothing as white as snow.

Matt 28:4 And the guards shook for fear of him, and became like dead men. [Challenge and Comfort2: Gracious-Mysteriously: Human]

SCENE II: AFTER THE KNOWLEDGE OF RESURRECTION – Joy, Wonderment, Assurance, Hope, Strength, Basis… [CHEERFUL]

Matt 28:5 BUT the angel answered and said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. [Cheerful1: Understands-Sympathetic: Words-Actions]

Matt 28:6 He is not here; for HE IS RISEN, as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. [Cheerful2: Assured-Answers] [Lives, Reign, Justice, Life, Future, Power, Glory . . .]

Matt 28:7 And go quickly and TELL His disciples that He is risen from the dead, and indeed He is going before you into Galilee; THERE YOU WILL SEE HIM. Behold, I have told you.”

[Cheerful3: Commissioned] [Good, Wonderful, Necessary: Sure: Attainable: Trustworthy,]

Matt 28:8 So they went out quickly from the tomb WITH FEAR AND GREAT JOY, and ran to bring His disciples word. [Cheerful4: Obedience-Joy] [Believe, Trust, Cherish, Practice, Persepective]

Let’s employ some helpful questions to understand the passage that we may apply in our life:

Q1. Why were the women going to the tomb on “the first day of the week” (v1. Luke 23:53-56)? What do they want to do there? (Mark 16:1) Apart from Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus, who else know the location of the tomb (Mark 15:47; Matt.27:61; Luke 23:55-56; John 19:39-40), and why these bunch of people?

Q2. Did Jesus really need an angel to roll away the stone for Him to escape (refer John 20:19)? If not, why did the angel roll back the stone (v2)? (Hints: v6)

Q3. The women were brave or naïve or crazy to go to the tomb, when the other disciples were hiding in fear. Thankfully, the angel of the Lord appeared and frightened away the guard, but why did the brave guards become like a dead man, yet the weak women remain conscious when they saw that angel? (v3-5) Do you recall any incident in Scripture where man fell down after a holy encounter?

Q4. Why did the angel say, “Do not be afraid” in v5? (Hints: what does “but” suggest?)

Q5. “He is risen” v6, why is it so important for the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead? (v6) [NB: You may unleash your Bible knowledge]

Q6. Why is Jesus going before the disciples into Galilee in v7? (Refer Matthew 26:32). What makes these women the first human to proclaim the news of resurrection?

Q7. Jesus came to earth for us too, He died for us too, He rose for us too, He is our Lord too. Why were the women running to tell the news with great joy? Have you been that excited to proclaim the news or the significance of resurrection to anyone? Do you know anyone who is so excited at the same time so serious (with fear and trembling) to proclaim the gospel?

The emotional scene of this resurrection account is not unfamiliar to us. We all have witnessed death and disappointment to some degree. The resurrection of Jesus is the death of death and disappointment. Many times like the women and the disciples, we are too slow to believe the word of God. Sometimes we seek Jesus for a wrong reason like these women (they were trying to help Jesus by anointing his dead body, when they actually should be going to Galilee to meet Him as He predicted before many times.) However, God remains gracious and works in mysterious ways for our own good to the praise of His glory. He remains faithful and trustworthy. Jesus is alive and He is interceding for us in heaven. And he has commissioned us to proclaim this truth over and over again both to ourselves and to others that they too may know the love of God. The resurrection is the cornerstone of the Christian faith. The resurrection of Jesus Christ is the most comforting news for the sinners and the most cheerful news for the believers to proclaim.

     PRAYER POINTS:

1. Praise God for the gift of Life: present life and the Life to come.

2. Pray for the Salvation of Near and Dear ones. Pray for the sinners to know this Grace of God.

3. Praise God for Churches, Missionaries, Evangelist and Preachers for heralding the Gospel.

4. Pray for the Churches, Missionaries, Evangelist and Preachers to herald the Gospel faithfully: Health, Encouragement, Finance, Trust, Opposition, Wisdom, Opportunities. . .

5. Pray for the pandemic and people around the world: That they will seek God and live. That we will be protected – finance, foods, careers, works, plans, charity . . .

6. Pray that we would always live as the citizens of heavens demonstrating the power of resurrection truth: Joy, peace, kindness, goodness, self-control . . .

MAY THE LORD BLESS YOU AND KEEP YOU!

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     Homiletical Outline for Preaching

Theme: Experience the Power of Resurrection

Two life-transforming truth of the power of Resurrection:

I.       It is Comforting (v1-4)    (God dealt with the stone and the guards)

1.      Because God Knows our Weakness. (v1)

2.      Because God Works in a Mysterious way. (v2-4)

II.     It is Cheerful (v5-8)        (God raised Jesus and He reigns)

1.      Because God has special Love for His people (v5)

2.      Because God’s promise is Sure even when we doubt. (v6)

3.      Because God gives us the Greatest Commission. (v7)

4.      Because God rewards our Obedience. (v8)

     More Applicatory questions you might want to reflect upon:

V1.  Do you delight to spend time with Christ, the church, the scripture? Have you pondered how God has helped you in all activities of life, challenges and solutions?

V5. Do you feel sympathetic to sorrowful people like this angel?

V6. Do you trust God for what He says? Who is your source: the self-proclaimed prophets, dreams, philosophy?

FOR THE ANSWERS TO THE 7 QUESTIONS ABOVE, YOU MAY DOWNLOAD FROM THIS LINK ANSWER_Easter_Sunday