April 12 Daily Devotional

Bible Reading

Devotional

The education of children takes up a tremendous amount of time and energy. Not only do we stress the importance of Christian schooling but we also believe the church needs to instruct the youth in the doctrines of salvation. Children are encouraged to study God’s Word on their own and with other young people.

Is it necessary to be educated in what the Bible teaches beyond what we receive on the Lord’s Day and in our personal and family devotions? Does it make us any wiser or more knowledgeable?

Children of the Lord cannot do without education. In fact, learning is good for us. The book of Proverbs says, “Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be still wiser; teach a just man, and he will increase in learning.” (9:9) Education is not an end in itself. The key to a good education, whether that be done at home, in school or in a catechism class, is the fear of the LORD. “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.” (9:10)

The first reason why children go to school or to a youth Bible study is to learn and to grow in wisdom and knowledge of the Holy One. In God’s school of wisdom we learn that the foundation of covenant living is the fear of the Lord. Just as a mother will teach her child to know his or her alphabet as the basic foundation for reading and writing, so the Lord teaches us what is essential for further learning. Knowledge begins with a proper attitude toward God, and as a consequence, a proper attitude toward each other. According to the book of Proverbs, the greatest intellectual who lacks the fear of the Lord and does not have the right attitude toward the Lord and his neighbour is the greatest fool.

The Proverbs of Solomon were written for children and adults of the covenant to teach them true wisdom. Don’t be satisfied with as little as possible, but make every effort to acquire wisdom and knowledge. Let us build on the foundation and the principle of life: the fear of the Lord.