Worldview Summary

When I was a boy in my father’s house,
  still tender, and an only child of my mother,

he taught me and said,
  "Lay hold of my words with all your
heart;
  keep my commands and you will live.

Get wisdom, get understanding;
  do not forget my words or swerve from them.

Do not forsake wisdom, and she will
protect you;
  love her, and she will watch over you. Proverbs
4:3-6

The past three blogs have looked at the issue of worldview
and young children. In chapter 4 of Proverbs, Solomon gives a compelling
worldview—the ultimate reality check. Two powerful directives frame his
worldview. The first directive, in verse 4, says, “…with all of your heart keep
my commands and you will live.” The second directive teaches that if the child embraces
and loves wisdom, he will be protected. Life and protection—two promises that will
become the foundation of a young child’s life.

Proverbs, particularly in the first 9 chapters, warns that
the world’s false wisdom will attempt to draw a child away from the wisdom of
God. In addition, from passages like Ephesians 2:1-3 parents learn that their
children begin life seeking to satisfy the fleshly desires of a nature devoted to
the service of self and Satan. Over against the self-centered natural worldview
of children, God, through the instruction of Christian parents, offers life and
protection to our children.

Please take a moment to consider the gravity of your child‘s
need and the glorious power of God’s word to address this need. Nothing else
can offer the promise of life and protection. Consider these words of Solomon.
Then think about the things that you teach your children. How conscious are you
of the active worldview of your child? Let us know your thoughts. Much hangs in
the balance.

Shepherd Press