Bringing up your children in the way of the Lord.

Recently, I have started doing a bible study with the family immediately after dinner or right before bed as an alternative. This idea came from a friend. Right after him and his wife finished dinner, he grabbed the bible that was right next to the dinner table to read a little bit in the bible.

What a cool idea to start at the beginning and read to the end with the family at the dinner table. That idea has bless my family so much. I highly recommended that right at the dinner table you start reading the word towards the end of a the meal. If this is not doable the alternative is before bed. Just carve out some time specifically before bed or better yet after dinner!

Cassie and I definitely talk to the kids about God, prayer, and church regularly. We even do devotion's with them and pray daily. BUT! There is a huge difference between prayer, church, and actually going through the bible with them. Any church goer that has been a christian for a while knows the power of the word. 

Since we started in Gen 1:1 the kids have had several good questions that might have not come up in a kids devotional book. 

I just want to leave you with a few verses on this subject:

Deu 6:6-7 These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. 7 Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. 

* This verse is letting us know that we just don't take our kids to Sunday school and call it good but that as parents we should teach them continuously.

Prov 22:6 Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.

*Ever wonder if you child is going to stray from the faith? There is a promise from God's word. 

Eph 6:4 Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.

*Dad's and husbands - it all starts with you. Be the spiritual leader in your home. 

This is not an alternative to seeking the Lord early in the morning but rather another great time to include Jesus. Jesus was always seen eating in the Gospels so why not include him at the dinner table? Even if you do not have kids that doesn't mean you can include Jesus at the dinner table.

God Bless

Mike

Helpful hints with Proverbs

Proverbs:

A teachers manuel of wise sayings.

Proverbs teach universal or general truths in a didactic form and they express great truths in capsule form (simple but profound).

Types of Proverbs:

A. Synonymous

Pride goes before destruction

A haughty spirit before stumbling (16:18)

B. Antithetical

A merciful man does himself good,

But a cruel man does himself harm (11:17)

C. Synthetic

He who conceals hatred has lying lips

He who spreads slander is a fool (10:18)

D. Comparative 

Like cold water to a weary soul

So is good news from a distant land (25:25)

E. Absurdity

Why is there a price in the hand of a fool to buy wisdom

When he has no sense? (17:16)

F. Classification

The naive believes everything,

But the prudent man considers his steps. (14:15)

I hope the about helps with proverbs. The reference for the above is Old Testament Survey Notes by Ed Hindson.

Mike

Parallelism in Hebrew Poetry

Here are a few things I learned in my Bible class. This really helps me understand Hebrew poetry better. I hope this outline helps. 

A. Synonymous parallels (same thought)

Wine is a mocker

Strong drink is a brawler (Prov 20:1)

B. Antithetic parallels (opposite thought)

A wise son gladdens a father

A foolish son grieves his mother (Prov 10:1)

C. Synthetic Parallels (thoughts build)

He is like a tree planted by streams

That yields its fruit in its season

And its leaf does not wither

In all he does, he prospers (Psa 1:3)

D. Exemplar parallels

Iron sharpens iron

As one man sharpens another (Prov 27:17)

E. External-Internal parallels

1. Hear the Word of the Lord

2. Rulers of Sodom

1. Give ear to the Law of the Lord

2. People of Gommorah

TO REFERENCE THIS OUTLINE - OLD TESTAMENT SURVEY NOTES BY ED HINDSON

Mike

The Spirit Guiding Us

"Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit" (Titus 3:5).

On a busy day oat an airport, tone man was particularly rude. He had more bags than allowed, they were overstuffed, and the skycap mentioned this to him. He demanded that his bags be checke. The skycap went about his business, and the man didn't give him a tip. A couple standing next in line said to the skcap, "you certainly seemd cool. That man was so rude to you, it's hard to believe you didn't retaliate." The skycap smiled and said, "No big deal. That man's going to New York, and his bags are going to Brazil." The skycap had total control over the bags. In the same way, the Holy Spirit not you or me changes the eternal destiny of people. (Ref - Introduction to Evangelism by Alvin Reid p166). 

I read this and thought it was good story. We may be on a journey but ultimately the spirit will guide us according to His will. 

Mike