Bible.com.au: Reading Plan - The Wisdom of a Father (or Father-Figure) across generations

Reflection: When I was young, there was a common phrase: “stick and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.” I’m grateful that this statement appears to be slowly fading out of common language today. As time has passed, we seem to have grasped the enormous impact that words can play, especially in the lives of young people.

For fathers and father figures, our positive words can be treasure deposits in the lives of our children and family. As verse 22 says, these words are life and even health to the body. It’s important for us blokes — as well as women — to speak gentle, kind, affirming words to our children and young people.

Our words matter, and the way we speak to our kids is the way it will flow out of their hearts in the future. I’ve found this advice from my friends at The Fathering Project particularly helpful, and it mirrors the advice given by this Proverb thousands of years ago: https://thefatheringproject.org/fathering-channel/dad-proof-tips-fathers-as-role-models-and-influence/

Prayer: Dear Lord, help my words not to be a source of pain to others. Help me to speak words that will be treasure deposits in the lives of those around me. Help me to guard my heart and allow only gentle affirming words to flow from my lips.

Proverbs 4:1-27

Get Wisdom at Any Cost

1Listen, my sons, to a father’s instruction;

pay attention and gain understanding.

2I give you sound learning,

so do not forsake my teaching.

3For I too was a son to my father,

still tender, and cherished by my mother.

4Then he taught me, and he said to me,

“Take hold of my words with all your heart;

keep my commands, and you will live.

5Get wisdom, get understanding;

do not forget my words or turn away from them.

6Do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you;

love her, and she will watch over you.

7The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom.

Though it cost all you have, get understanding.

8Cherish her, and she will exalt you;

embrace her, and she will honor you.

9She will give you a garland to grace your head

and present you with a glorious crown.”

10Listen, my son, accept what I say,

and the years of your life will be many.

11I instruct 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.

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

guard it well, for it is your life.

14Do not set foot on the path of the wicked

or walk in the way of evildoers.

15Avoid it, do not travel on it;

turn from it and go on your way.

16For they cannot rest until they do evil;

they are robbed of sleep till they make someone stumble.

17They eat the bread of wickedness

and drink the wine of violence.

18The path of the righteous is like the morning sun,

shining ever brighter till the full light of day.

19But the way of the wicked is like deep darkness;

they do not know what makes them stumble.

20My son, pay attention to what I say;

turn your ear to my words.

21Do not let them out of your sight,

keep them within your heart;

22for they are life to those who find them

and health to one’s whole body.

23Above all else, guard your heart,

for everything you do flows from it.

24Keep your mouth free of perversity;

keep corrupt talk far from your lips.

25Let your eyes look straight ahead;

fix your gaze directly before you.

26Give careful thought to the paths for your feet

and be steadfast in all your ways.

27Do not turn to the right or the left;

keep your foot from evil.

The Wisdom of a Father (or Father-Figure) across generations

Day 6 of 7

NIV

Proverbs 4:20-24

Days

Proverbs 4:1-27