Proverbs

Proverbs 13: God’s wisdom gives living instruction

Begin in prayer

Before we hear the difference between a wise son and a scoffer, let us ask God for teachable hearts. Pray that His instruction will become dear to every member of our family.

For I have known him, to the end that he may command his children and his household after him, that they may keep the way of Yahweh, to do righteousness and justice; to the end that Yahweh may bring on Abraham that which he has spoken of him.”

Genesis 18:19

Father in heaven, please open our eyes as we read Your Word. Help us welcome wise teaching instead of protecting our pride. Show us Jesus and the life He gives to sinners who trust Him. Make us more like Jesus. And please bless our family as we worship You together. In Jesus' name, Amen.

See where we're going

A wise son receives his father’s instruction, while a scoffer refuses rebuke. Guarded speech, honest work and careful companions belong to the life that grows from such teaching. Longing fulfilled is like a tree of life, yet fools hate turning from evil. The poor can work fields full of food and still lose it through injustice. “One who spares the rod hates his son,” while love takes care to discipline him.

As you read Proverbs 13, look for the answers:

Reflect together

Key truth

God gives life through wise instruction and exposes the ruin of refusing correction.

Verse 14 calls the teaching of the wise “a spring of life,” because it turns people from the snares of death. The chapter opens with a wise son who listens to his father and a scoffer who will not listen to rebuke. God also teaches through friends, for “One who walks with wise men grows wise” (verse 20). Refusing correction brings its own ruin, and verse 18 says poverty and shame come to the one who refuses discipline. A parent’s correction is part of this teaching, because verse 24 says a loving parent is careful to discipline his son. That discipline must come with love and self control for the child’s good, never with anger or harm. Yet teaching alone cannot change a heart, because “fools detest turning from evil” (verse 19). God uses faithful instruction, but the new heart that loves His words is His gift.

How does Proverbs 13 show us that God gives life through wise instruction and exposes the ruin of refusing correction?

Wise teaching helps people leave deadly snares.

A spring supplies what living creatures need. The teaching of the wise gives that kind of help by exposing the danger of evil. A companion’s influence can deepen wisdom or lead a person into harm.

Love takes care to correct.

The parent who refuses discipline leaves his son without needed correction. Love seeks the child’s good before wrong ways become settled habits. Parents must govern their own anger first and never use discipline to harm.

Memorise

The teaching of the wise is a spring of life, to turn from the snares of death.

Proverbs 13:14

Looking to Jesus in my life

Ask yourself in your heart, what instruction am I resisting that should lead me to Jesus?

“The teaching of the wise is a spring of life.” Yet fools detest turning from evil, even when the warning is plain. We need a Savior who reaches the heart that resists correction.

Christ accepted the judgment for His people’s rebellion. He carried their sin to the cross and died for them. He rose from the grave, declaring His victory over death. The salvation He accomplished is sufficient, with nothing left for a sinner to earn.

Turn from your sin and put your trust in Jesus. His blood brings forgiveness to the one who believes. Come with your stubbornness and ask Him for mercy. The risen Savior gives life and teaches His people to receive His words.

Parent's note

Tell your children that God’s teaching leads away from death, and that Jesus gives the new heart they need. Please do not tell them they are saved just because they grew up in a Christian home. Call each child to turn from sin and trust Jesus, and pray that God would give them a new heart.

Pray together

Now please close your time together in prayer. Thank God for the wise instruction that leads away from death. Bring the heart question to Him. Every child can pray, so let each one say a short prayer if they want to.

For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared before that we would walk in them.

Ephesians 2:10

God of mercy, thank You for instruction that shows the danger of evil. Please turn our stubborn hearts toward Jesus in faith. Help children receive wise teaching. Give our family companions who encourage truth and kindness. Amen.