Take a moment to think about your child. Now take a moment to dream what you would want for them and how you’d like them to conduct themselves in this world.
Instead of thinking about the hear and now, think about what kind of human being we want to turn loose on society in a few short years.
This is the what we need to keep in mind throughout the difficult parenting years. We need to think about the future, so we can set goals and stick to them in the present. So, how do we raise independent, righteous, humble, generous, understanding, selfless, loving, forgiving, compassionate, empathetic, non-prejudiced, and society-improving adults? That’s a long and challenging list of qualities! This is going to take a lot of time and effort- a lot of work. If we look back on our own lives we can see what shaped us- and we are going to discuss them all!
And where do we start? With ourselves.
PREFACE: “Words to the wise”
A wise man, according to the Bible, is a man that first fears the Lord. This is not meant to be something derogatory, it is rather meant to replicate how a child should have a healthy fear of their parents. Children should have a reverence and a respect that says, “You know more than I do. You protect me, you guide me, you meet my needs and you chastise me when I go off the path.” There is a trust between a child and parent that needs will be met, and punishment will match the crime. Therefore, if a man is wise, he will fear the Lord and search for His ways. Proverbs is all about wisdom – in EVERY aspect of our life. It touches upon commerce, discipline, family, truthfulness, health, marriage and the list goes on. It is one of the easiest books in the Bible to comprehend. That is why proverbs are used throughout the chapters of this curriculum. If you were told you weren’t given a “manual for life” – you were told a lie. “Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.” Proverbs 22:6
If we were not “trained up” as we were supposed to go, we will need to learn to be wise, break cycles of dysfunction and train up our children better than we might have been.
As you go through, you will see the phrase “Word to the wise”, and as you dive into this curriculum with new eyes, an open heart, open mind, and the determination to be wise.
If you have not done it yet, be sure to print out both Journal and worksheets below:
