How to Raise Wise, Godly Children Training Your Child to Obey Dealing with Rebellion Training in Righteousness Aiming for the Heart

Training in Righteousness We have seen how practical the book of Proverbs is in giving us the wisdom that we need to train our children in righteousness. In addition to the book of Proverbs, the various lists of positive and negative character traits that are given to Christians in the New Testament are also very helpful in teaching us how to train our children. In light of this, we will spend the next few weeks looking at 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 and thinking through how the characteristics listed there would apply to our kids.

1 Corinthians 13 – the “Love” Chapter We will be using a translation done by Anthony Thiselton in his commentary on 1 Corinthians because I like the way it brings out the nuances of the original Greek: Love waits patiently, love shows kindness. Love does not burn with envy; does not brag – is not inflated with its own importance. It does not behave with ill-mannered impropriety; is not preoccupied with the interests of the self; does not become exasperated into pique [irritation or anger]; does not keep a reckoning up of evil. Love does not take pleasure at wrongdoing but joyfully celebrates the truth. It never tires of support, never loses faith, never exhausts hope, never gives up. (Thiselton translation of 1Cor.13:4-7)

Love waits patiently (13:4a) Literally means “long-tempered” (as opposed to short-tempered) or “long suffering” In other words, Love: Is slow to be roused to resentment Bears patiently with provocation Is not quick to assert its rights or resent an injury Love waits patiently not only because it deals patiently with the loved one but also because it recognizes that the right timing plays a huge part in securing the welfare of the other. Love does not blunder in. (Thiselton, p.1047)

Love waits patiently (13:4a) How does this apply to our kids? We need to teach our kids that in life: They often won’t get their way. They often will have to wait to get the things that they want. Others (especially their siblings) will often do things that they find upsetting, annoying, etc. They need to learn to accept these things with a good attitude.

Love shows kindness (13:4b) To provide something beneficial to someone as an act of kindness (Louw-Nida Lexicon) The root of the verb means “useful”, and therefore the main idea of this word is, “disposed to be useful” The word suggests the warm generous welcome the Christian always gives his brothers . . .does his utmost to be thoughtful, helpful and kind, always in a pleasant way. (Thiselton quoting C. Spicq, p.1047)

Love shows kindness (13:4b) How does this apply to our kids? We need to teach our kids to be proactive in being helpful and pleasant to others: Teach them: How to greet people To be aware of the needs of others To offer (i.e. volunteer) to help others To have discernment about when their help is needed and when it’s not To be dependable To be skillful, careful, and hard-working so they can be helpful

Love does not burn with envy (13:4c) The Greek word used here can have either a positive or negative connotation depending on the context – but in either use it conveys a strong passion. For example it is used positively in 1Cor.12:31: But eagerly desire the greater gifts When used negatively as it is here, it means to burn with envy “Love. . . does not begrudge the status and honor of another, but delights in it for the sake of the other.” (Thiselton p.1048)

Love does not burn with envy (13:4c) How does this apply to our kids? Teach them: That God is the giver of all good things and He gives to whom He pleases To be content with and thankful for whatever God has provided for them To be genuinely glad when others are blessed and genuinely sad when others suffer