The Teaching of a The Teaching of a FatherFather

- Kay Arthur- Kay Arthur

Read Proverbs 3:1-12Read Proverbs 3:1-12Mark the references to Mark the references to God God and the and the

key words and phrases key words and phrases wise, teaching, commandment, understanding, , heart and and my son..

Then read the section again to Then read the section again to determine which verses present determine which verses present matching principles the father gives matching principles the father gives his son.his son.

Watch for the word Watch for the word so, which , which introduces the reason for the introduces the reason for the instruction that precedes it.instruction that precedes it.

Day Day 11

1. My son, do not forget my teachingteaching, but let youryour heart keep my commandments 2. for length of days and years of life and peace they will add to youyou.   3. Let not steadfast love and faithfulness forsake youyou; bind them around youryour neck;    write them on the tablet of your your heart 4. So you you will find favor and good success   in the sight of God and man. 5. Trust in the LORD the LORD with all youryour heart , and do not lean on your own understandingunderstanding..

6In all youryour ways acknowledge him,   and he will make straight youryour paths.7 Be not wisewise in youryour own eyes;    fear the LORD the LORD and turn away from evil.8It will be healing to youryour flesh   and refreshment to youryour bones.

  9Honor the LORD the LORD with youryour wealth   and with the first fruits of all your your produce;

10 then your barns will be filled with plenty,   and your vats will be bursting with wine.

  11 My son, do not despise the LORD’s discipline or be weary of his reproof,

12 for the LORDthe LORD reproves him whom he

loves, as a father the son in whom he

delights. Proverbs 3:1-Proverbs 3:1-1212

Verses that present matching principles the Verses that present matching principles the father gives his on.father gives his on.Don’ts Do’s

1My son, do not forget my teaching, Let not steadfast lfaithfulness forsake you;5b  and do not lean on your own understanding.7 Be not wise in your own eyes; 11 My son, do not despise the LORD’s discipline   or be weary of his reproof, 

But let youryour heart keep my commandmentsbind them around your neck; write them on the tablet of your heart.o5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart. 6 In all your ways acknowledge him7 fear the LORD, and turn away from evil. 9Honor the LORD with your wealth    and with the first fruits of all your produce;

Verses that present matching principles the Verses that present matching principles the father gives his on.father gives his on.ResultsResults RewardsRewards

12for the LORD reproves him whom he loves,  as a father the son in whom he delights.

for length of days and years of

life and peace they will add to youyou.

4So you will find favor and

good success in the sight of God

and man. , and he will make

straight your paths. 8 It will be

healing to your flesh and re-freshment to your bones.     

10then your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will be bursting with wine.

Verses that present matching principles the Verses that present matching principles the father gives his on.father gives his on.Matching PrinciplesMatching Principles RewardsRewards

The Lord reproves whom he lovesHe would teach, discipline and reproof his loved onesWhen you fear God, keep God’s commandments in your heart, not forget, but treasure them and bring first fruits to him thenyou will find his rewards in long-life, peace, prosperity, success, health, and favor with God and man.

for length of days and years of

life and peace they will add to youyou.

4So you will find favor and

good success in the sight of God

and man. , and he will make

straight your paths. 8 It will be

healing to your flesh and re-freshment to your bones.     

10then your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will be bursting with wine.

Read Proverbs 3:13-20Read Proverbs 3:13-20

Mark the references to Mark the references to God God and the key and the key words and phrases words and phrases wise, teaching, commandment, understanding, , heart and and my son..

Then read the section again to Then read the section again to determine which verses present determine which verses present matching principles the father gives his matching principles the father gives his son.son.

Watch for the word Watch for the word so, which introduces , which introduces the reason for the instruction that the reason for the instruction that precedes it.precedes it.

Day Day 22

13 Blessed is the one who finds wisdom,   and the one who gets understandingunderstanding,

14for the gain from her is better than gain from silver and her profit better than gold.

15She is more precious than jewels,and nothing you desire can compare with her.

16 Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor.

17 Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all

her paths are peace.18 She is a tree of life to those who lay hold of

her; those who hold her fast are called blessed.   19 The LORD by wisdom founded the earth; by understanding he established the heavens; 20 by his knowledge the deeps broke open,  and the clouds drop down the dew.

Read Proverbs 3:21-35Read Proverbs 3:21-35

Mark the references to Mark the references to God God and the key and the key words and phrases words and phrases wisdom and and my son..

Continue looking for verses grouped Continue looking for verses grouped around similar principles and around similar principles and subsequent good and bad consequences.subsequent good and bad consequences.

How do verses 27-30 relate to verses 31-How do verses 27-30 relate to verses 31-35?35?

Finally, determine the theme of Proverbs Finally, determine the theme of Proverbs 3 and record it on PROVERBS AT A 3 and record it on PROVERBS AT A GLANCE on page 107.GLANCE on page 107.

Day Day 33

21 My son, preserve sound judgment and discernment, do not let them out of your sight;  22 they will be life for you, an ornament to grace your neck.  23 Then you will go on your way in safety,     and your foot will not stumble;  24 when you lie down, you will not be afraid;    when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.  25 Have no fear of sudden disaster or of the ruin that overtakes the wicked,

26 for the LORD the LORD will be your confidence   and will keep your foot from being snared.

27 Do not withhold good from those who deserve it, when it is in your power to act. 28 Do not say to your neighbor, "Come back later; I'll give it tomorrow“—when you now have it with you. 29 Do not plot harm against your neighbor, who lives trustfully near you. 30 Do not accuse a man for no reason— when he has done you no harm.

 31 Do not envy a violent man or choose any of

his ways,  32 for the LORD detests a perverse man

   but takes the upright into his confidence.  33 The LORD's curse is on the house of the

wicked,    but he blesses the home of the righteous.

 34 He mocks proud mockers    but gives grace to the humble.

 35 The wise inherit honor,    but fools he holds up to shame.

Benefits of preserving sound judgment and discernment

22 they will be life for you, an ornament to grace your neck.

23 Then you will go on your way in safety, and your foot will not stumble;

24 when you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.

25 Have no fear of sudden disaster or of the ruin that overtakes the wicked,

26 for the LORD the LORD will be your confidence  and will keep your foot from being snared.

32 the LORD the LORD takes the upright into his confidence.

33 he blesses the home of the righteous.

34gives grace to the humble.

35 The wise inherit honor

Consequences of the wicked

25 Have fear of sudden disaster or of the ruin that overtakes the wicked,  

32 for the LORD detests a perverse man

33 The LORD's curse is on the house of the wicked

34 He mocks proud mockers

35 but fools he holds up to shame.

How do verses 27-30 How do verses 27-30 relate to verses 31-35?relate to verses 31-35?

Verses 27-30 talks about the unkind deeds to be avoided,

Verses 31-35 contrasts the end of the wise and the wicked.

So, a wise person who do kind deeds would be rewarded by God, but those who are unkind to others would be considered wicked and be cursed by God.

Read Proverbs 4: 1-9Read Proverbs 4: 1-9Mark Mark my son., heart, ., heart,

instruction(teaching), understanding, instruction(teaching), understanding, commandments, and commandments, and wisedom. These . These key words appear throughout Proverbs. key words appear throughout Proverbs. Consider starting a running list of Consider starting a running list of everything you learn about theses everything you learn about theses words throughout your study of the words throughout your study of the book of Proverbs. Several other themes book of Proverbs. Several other themes run through the book, so as you see run through the book, so as you see them cropping up again and again, you them cropping up again and again, you can compile lists of everything you can compile lists of everything you learn in all the chapters of Proverbs.learn in all the chapters of Proverbs.

Day Day 44

Read Proverbs 4: 1-9Read Proverbs 4: 1-9Now go back and read Proverbs 1:1 and Now go back and read Proverbs 1:1 and

note the author. Read Proverbs 4:3; note the author. Read Proverbs 4:3; 2Samuel 12:14; and 1 Chronicles 14:3-4. 2Samuel 12:14; and 1 Chronicles 14:3-4. Can you figure out the author’s father and Can you figure out the author’s father and mother? Was he the only son of his mother? Was he the only son of his mother?mother?

In light of these verses, what does “the In light of these verses, what does “the only son in the sight of my mother” mean? only son in the sight of my mother” mean? What do you think?What do you think?

What actions does the author urge? Make What actions does the author urge? Make a list, and as before, write out the benefits a list, and as before, write out the benefits for each action in a second column.for each action in a second column.

Day Day 55

 1 Listen, my sons, to a father's instruction;  pay attention and gain understanding.

 2 I give you sound learning, so do not forsake my teaching.

 3 When I was a boy in my father's house,  still tender, and an only child of my mother,

 4 he taught me and said, "Lay hold of my words with all your heart; keep my commands and you will live.

 5 Get wisdom, get understanding; do not forget my words or swerve from them.

 6 Do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you; love her, and she will watch over you.

 7 Wisdom is supreme; therefore get wisdom.  Though it cost all you have, get understanding.

 8 Esteem her, and she will exalt you; embrace her, and she will honor you.

 9 She will set a garland of grace on your head  and present you with a crown of splendor."

Actions Urged Rewards

1 Listen, my sons, to a father's instruction; pay attention and gain understanding.  2 I give you sound learning, so do not forsake my teaching.  5 Get wisdom, get understanding; do not forget my words or swerve from them.  6 Do not forsake wisdom, and love her,  7 Wisdom is supreme; therefore get wisdom.  Though it cost all you have, get understanding.  8 Esteem her, and embrace her, and she will honor you.  9 She will set a garland of grace on your head  and present you with a crown of splendor.“

Wisdom will watch over you and will Protect you; she will exalt you; will honor you. She will set a garland of grace on your head  and present you with a crown of splendor."

Do you want these benefits?

Read Proverbs 4: 10-19Read Proverbs 4: 10-19Mark Mark my son, , wisdom and and wicked. Again list . Again list

instructions for and benefits of seeking wisdom. instructions for and benefits of seeking wisdom. Also list instructions regarding avoiding Also list instructions regarding avoiding

wickedness, and separately list characteristics wickedness, and separately list characteristics

of the wicked.of the wicked. Contrast the wicked and the righteous. (Hint: Contrast the wicked and the righteous. (Hint:

Look for the word Look for the word but . Contrasts are very important in Proverbs. If you don’t understand an instruction, the contrast may make it clear.

Day Day 55

Instructions for Wisdom Benefit of Seeking Wisdom

10 accept what I say, 13Hold on to instruction, do not let it go; guard it well, for it is your life14 Do not set foot on the path of the wicked or walk in the way of evil men.15 Avoid it, do not travel on it; turn from it and go on your way. 20My son, pay attention to what I say; listen closely to my words. 21Do not let them out of your sight, keep them within your heart; 23 Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life. 24 Put away perversity from your mouth; keep corrupt talk far from your lips. 25 Let your eyes look straight ahead,        fix your gaze directly before you.  26 Make level paths for your feet        and take only ways that are firm.  27 Do not swerve to the right or the left;        keep your foot from evil.

10and the years of your life will be many 11guide you in the way of wisdom and lead you along straight paths. 12When you walk, your steps will not be hampered; when you run, you will not stumble.

Characteristics of the Wicked

Instructions to avoid the Wicked

16 For they cannot sleep till they do evil; they are robbed of slumber till they make someone fall.  17 They eat the bread of wickedness and drink the wine of violence.19 But the way of the wicked is like deep darkness; they do not know what makes them stumble.

14 Do not set foot on the path of the wicked   or walk in the way of evil men. 15 Avoid it, do not travel on it; turn from it and go on your way.

Characteristics of the Wise

Characteristics of theWicked

the first gleam of dawn, shining ever brighter till the full light of day.

Darkness, evil, cannot sleep, fall, drink wine, violence, stumble

 10 Listen, my son, accept what I say, and the

years of your life will be many.

 11 I guide you in the way of wisdom and lead

you along straight paths.

 12 When you walk, your steps will not be

hampered; when you run, you will not

stumble.  13 Hold on to instruction, do not let it go;

   guard it well, for it is your life.  14 Do not set foot on the path of

   or walk in the way of evil men.

the the wicked wicked

 15 Avoid it, do not travel on it; turn from it and go on your way.  16 For they cannot sleep till they do evil; they are robbed of slumber till they make someone fall.  17 They eat the bread of and drink the wine of violence.  18 The path of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn, shining ever brighter till the full light of day.  19 But the way of is like deep

darkness; they do not know what makes them stumble.

the the wickneswickness s

the the wicked wicked

Read Proverbs 4: 20-27Read Proverbs 4: 20-27Mark Mark my son, and , and heart.heart. Note the instructions about “my sayings” or “my Note the instructions about “my sayings” or “my

words” and their value to those who find them.words” and their value to those who find them.Now list the body parts the author mentions and Now list the body parts the author mentions and

the instructions for each one. Summarize how the instructions for each one. Summarize how they relate to verse 22.they relate to verse 22.

Write the theme of Proverbs 4 on PROVERBS AT Write the theme of Proverbs 4 on PROVERBS AT A GlanceA Glance

Day Day 66

List the body parts sight heart whole body mouth, lips eyes feetPaying attention to wisdom would lead to

health to a person’s whole body.

    

 20 My son, pay attention to what I say;        listen closely to my words.

 21 Do not let them out of your sight,        keep them within your heart;

 22 for they are life to those who find them        and health to a man's whole body.

 23 Above all else, guard your heart,        for it is the wellspring of life.

 24 Put away perversity from your mouth;        keep corrupt talk far from your lips.

 

.  25 Let your eyes look straight ahead,

       fix your gaze directly before you.  26 Make level paths for your feet

       and take only ways that are firm.  27 Do not swerve to the right or the

left;        keep your foot from evil.