Reading With the People of God #14 ProverbsSample

How Then Shall We Live?

This question was asked in Ezekiel 33:10-11 but has already been answered throughout the laws and again in the proverbs of Solomon that we are currently reading. The Lord was clear in His call to all followers since Adam: we are to be an influence and guide to our children and those we are called to lead.

My friend and I got a good laugh when her daughter exclaimed, “Mom, did you know that the Motts just start talking as soon as they get in the car?! Isn’t that weird?” It was our practice to share about the day as soon as I picked them up from school. One-word answers were not allowed, so it became common for our children to start sharing rather than being questioned. We developed some deep topics, and it was an opportunity to guide our children and their friends in how God wants them to live. Oh, I got a few “MOM!!” comments when they were teenagers, but I always reminded my listeners that if we don’t talk about these things now, how will we know what to do when temptation comes our way? I also reminded my non-family passengers that now they can go home and ask their parents to guide them and bring up these difficult subjects.

Too often, I hear parents say they cannot find time to discuss important issues because it is uncomfortable or they didn’t find an opportunity. Some leave it up to the church to bring up these matters in youth group, but Jesus’ entire ministry was to address those hard-to-address areas, no matter where He was with His disciples, and no matter who was listening. Our guidance is in the Bible, and we should be talking about how to live not only in the church but as our daily points of conversation.

The apostle Paul wrote letters as he heard reports of misunderstanding or sin in the churches. It was his duty to guide other Christ followers in living the abundant life Jesus spoke about and to prepare us for a life in eternity. Solomon gives wise counsel, but we know from our prior readings that he did not follow his own advice. As we read today, ask,

“How should I change the way I live?”

“Who can I talk to in accountability about living a godly life?”

*Primer contributed by Gaylyn Mott, Teacher, Musician, Yarn Artist, Member of Cornerstone Community Church of Chowchilla.