1. The most famous parenting proverb is Proverbs
29:15:
子供は、しかられ懲らしめられることで、何が悪いことかを知るのです。 わがままいっぱいに育てると、あとで母親が恥をかきます。
The Book of Proverbs teaches that punishment is a form of love. It says that parents who don’t discipline their children are in danger of ruining them.
2. Proverbs 29:15 is just a small portion of the
wisdom Proverbs offers parents. Proverbs
22:6 offers a broader view of parenting:
６ 子供の時に正しい生き方を教えておけば、年をとってからも変わりません。
This proverb tells us that we
are to train our children from the time they are very young. This will build their lifelong
character. If we do this, they will
follow our teachings when they are adults.
(It is important to note that
Proverbs is a study of the way life usually works. Individual proverbs are not promises or
rules. They are generalized truths about
life. Generally, good parents raise good
children. However, you can find people
who were raised well, but reject their parents’ training. Also, you can find people who were not raised
well, but they grew up to be wonderful people anyway.)
3. The majority of the parenting proverbs
emphasize verbal encouragement and teaching.
The Book of Proverbs is written as a father’s words to his son. Many times, the father says, “Listen my son”. Proverbs also encourages children to listen
to their mothers.
７‐９では、どうしたら物事がよくわかるようになるでしょう。それには、まず神様を信じ、神様を大切にすることです。ばかな人にかぎって神様の教えをばかにします。さあ、両親の忠告に従いなさい。 そうすれば、あとになって人々にほめられるようになります。
Proverbs 1:7-9
２０ 親の言いつけを守りなさい。Proverbs 6:20
２２父親の忠告を聞き、経験をつんだ母親をたいせつにしなさい。Proverbs 23:22
4. Another important
message from the parenting proverbs is that parents and children should not be
adversaries. Instead, they should be
allies who are proud of each other.
６ 孫は老人の自慢の種、父親は子供の尊敬の的です。Proverbs
17:6
Now, we will look at some parenting proverbs about
specific topics.
5. As God
disciplines His children, parents should discipline their children, too. Discipline is a form of love.
１１１２神様に懲らしめられても、腹を立ててはいけません。あなたを愛していればこそ、そうなさるのです。 父親がかわいい子供の将来を思って罰するのと同じです。
Proverbs 3:11-12
２４子供を懲らしめない親はその子を心から愛していないのです。愛している子なら罰するはずです。Proverbs 13:24
１８まだ望みのあるうちに子供を懲らしめなさい。放っておいて、その一生を台なしにしてはいけません。Proverbs 19:18
若者は反抗心でいっぱいですが、正しく罰すれば素直になります。
Proverbs 22:15
１７ 子供をきびしくしつければ、老後はしあわせに過ごせます。Proverbs 29:17
6. We should
teach our children to be wise. Then, we
will be proud of them.
１ソロモンの教訓。物わかりのいい子を持つ人はしあわせですが、ばかな子を持つ母親は気の毒です。Proverbs 10:1
２０ 物わかりのいい息子は父親を喜ばせ、言いつけに背く息子は母親を悲しませます。
Proverbs 15:20
２１ 言いつけに背く者の父親には、生きる楽しみがありません。Proverbs
17:21
２４２５神様を恐れる人の父親はしあわせ者、知恵のある子は父親の自慢の種です。 これ以上の親孝行はありません。Proverbs 23:24-25
7. We should
teach our children to work instead of being lazy.
５りこうな若者は陽の高いうちに干し草をつくり、恥知らずの若者はいざという時にも平気で居眠りします。Proverbs 10:5
8. We should
teach our children to respect God and His ways.
１ 知恵のある若者は父親の忠告を聞き、親をばかにする子は鼻であしらいます。
Proverbs 13:1
(“Mockers” are rebels who publicly mock God and His
ways.)
9. If we want our
children to be protected by God, we should fear Him ourselves.
２６ 神様を恐れ大切にする人は頼りがいがあるので、子供たちは安心して頼ります。
Proverbs 14:26
Discussion Questions:
How do you discipline your
children? Is it the same way your parents
disciplined you?
What do you consider to be a source
of wisdom? How do you teach wisdom to
your children?
What do you think about children
and work? Do you encourage your children
to work?
Do you teach your children about
God? What do you tell them?
