How can parents use Proverbs 1:15 to instruct children about friendships? Setting the Verse in Context • The first chapter of Proverbs opens with parental counsel, warning a young person about enticing companions whose ways lead to violence and ruin (Proverbs 1:10-19). • Verse 15 stands as a firm directive within that warning, calling for clear separation from destructive influences. Proverbs 1:15 “My son, do not walk the road with them or set foot upon their path.” Key Truths for Parents to Pass On • Friendship shapes character—who we walk with eventually determines where we arrive (Proverbs 13:20). • God draws a sharp line between righteous and wicked paths (Psalm 1:1; Matthew 7:13-14). • Separation from harmful companions is an act of obedience, not unkindness (2 Corinthians 6:14-18). Practical Ways to Teach the Verse • Read the verse aloud together and have the child repeat it until it is memorized. • Act it out: mark two paths on the floor—one leading to a cross, the other to a trash can—illustrating choices and consequences. • Tell real-life stories, past or present, of people blessed by godly friends and harmed by ungodly ones. • Encourage journaling: have children list qualities they notice in friends who lead them closer to the Lord. Helping Children Discern Healthy Friendships • Character test: Is the friend truthful, respectful, and obedient? (Proverbs 12:26). • Direction test: Does time with this friend stir love for God or pull away from Him? (Hebrews 10:24). • Influence test: After being together, is obedience easier or harder? (1 Corinthians 15:33). • Boundary test: Does the friend laugh at sin or honor what is holy? (Ephesians 5:4). Modeling Wisely Chosen Relationships • Let children see parents cultivate friendships with believers who pray, serve, and speak Scripture (Proverbs 27:17). • Speak kindly yet firmly when declining invitations that compromise conviction. • Invite children into family hospitality so they experience healthy fellowship firsthand (Acts 2:46). Encouraging Lifelong Application • Remind them that choosing friends is not a one-time decision; vigilance continues into adulthood. • Revisit Proverbs 1:15 at key transition points—new school year, new team, online interactions. • Celebrate when a child makes a wise choice; speak blessing over them (3 John 4). • Anchor hope in God’s promise to guide every step of the obedient heart (Proverbs 3:5-6). |
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