The document provides instructions from a father to his son based on verses from Proverbs 3:1-12. The father tells his son to remember and keep his teachings in his heart, trust fully in God, honor God with his wealth, and not despise discipline. If the son obeys these instructions, he will be rewarded with long life, peace, prosperity, health, and favor with God and man.

1. The Teaching of a Father - Kay Arthur

2. Read Proverbs 3:1-12 Mark the references to God and the key words and phrases wise, teaching, commandment, understanding , heart and my son . Then read the section again to determine which verses present matching principles the father gives his son. Watch for the word so , which introduces the reason for the instruction that precedes it. Day 1

3. 1. My son , do not forget my teaching , but let your heart keep my commandments 2. for length of days and years of life and peace they will add to you . 3. Let not steadfast love and faithfulness forsake you ; bind them around your neck; write them on the tablet of your heart 4. So you will find favor and good success in the sight of God and man. 5. Trust in the LORD with all your heart , and do not lean on your own understanding .

4. 6In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. 7 Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and turn away from evil. 8It will be healing to your flesh and refreshment to your bones. 9Honor the LORD with your wealth and with the first fruits of all your produce;

5. 10 then your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will be bursting with wine. 11 My son, do not despise the LORD’s discipline or be weary of his reproof, 12 for the LORD reproves him whom he loves, as a father the son in whom he delights. Proverbs 3:1-12

6. Verses that present matching principles the father gives his on. Don’ts Do’s 1My son, do not forget my teaching, Let not steadfast l faithfulness forsake you; 5b and do not lean on your own understanding. 7 Be not wise in your own eyes; 11 My son, do not despise the LORD’s discipline or be weary of his reproof, But let your heart keep my commandments bind them around your neck; write them on the tablet of your heart. o 5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart. 6 In all your ways acknowledge him7 fear the LORD, and turn away from evil. 9Honor the LORD with your wealth and with the first fruits of all your produce;

7. Verses that present matching principles the father gives his on. Results Rewards 12for the LORD reproves him whom he loves, as a father the son in whom he delights. for length of days and years of life and peace they will add to you . 4So you will find favor and good success in the sight of God and man. , and he will make straight your paths. 8 It will be healing to your flesh and re- freshment to your bones . 10then your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will be bursting with wine.

8. Verses that present matching principles the father gives his on. Matching Principles Rewards The Lord reproves whom he loves He would teach, discipline and reproof his loved ones When you fear God, keep God’s commandments in your heart, not forget, but treasure them and bring first fruits to him then you will find his rewards in long-life, peace, prosperity, success, health, and favor with God and man. for length of days and years of life and peace they will add to you . 4So you will find favor and good success in the sight of God and man. , and he will make straight your paths. 8 It will be healing to your flesh and re- freshment to your bones . 10then your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will be bursting with wine.

9. Read Proverbs 3:13-20 Mark the references to God and the key words and phrases wise, teaching, commandment, understanding , heart and my son . Then read the section again to determine which verses present matching principles the father gives his son. Watch for the word so , which introduces the reason for the instruction that precedes it. Day 2

10. 13 Blessed is the one who finds wisdom , and the one who gets understanding , for the gain from her is better than gain from silver and her profit better than gold. She is more precious than jewels, and nothing you desire can compare with her .

11. 16 Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor. 17 Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace. 18 She is a tree of life to those who lay hold of her ; those who hold her fast are called blessed. 19 The LORD by wisdom founded the earth; by understanding he established the heavens; 20 by his knowledge the deeps broke open, and the clouds drop down the dew.

12. Read Proverbs 3:21-35 Mark the references to God and the key words and phrases wisdom and my son . Continue looking for verses grouped around similar principles and subsequent good and bad consequences. How do verses 27-30 relate to verses 31-35? Finally, determine the theme of Proverbs 3 and record it on PROVERBS AT A GLANCE on page 107. Day 3

13. 21 My son, preserve sound judgment and discernment, do not let them out of your sight; 22 they will be life for you , an ornament to grace your neck. 23 Then you will go on your way in safety, and your foot will not stumble; 24 when you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet. 25 Have no fear of sudden disaster or of the ruin that overtakes the wicked,

14. 26 for the LORD will be your confidence and will keep your foot from being snared. 27 Do not withhold good from those who deserve it, when it is in your power to act. 28 Do not say to your neighbor, "Come back later; I'll give it tomorrow“—when you now have it with you . 29 Do not plot harm against your neighbor, who lives trustfully near you . 30 Do not accuse a man for no reason— when he has done you no harm.

15. 31 Do not envy a violent man or choose any of his ways, 32 for the LORD detests a perverse man but takes the upright into his confidence. 33 The LORD 's curse is on the house of the wicked, but he blesses the home of the righteous. 34 He mocks proud mockers but gives grace to the humble. 35 The wise inherit honor, but fools he holds up to shame.

16. Benefits of preserving sound judgment and discernment 22 they will be life for you, an ornament to grace your neck. 23 Then you will go on your way in safety, and your foot will not stumble; 24 when you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet . 25 Have no fear of sudden disaster or of the ruin that overtakes the wicked, 26 for the LORD will be your confidence and will keep your foot from being snared. 32 the LORD takes the upright into his confidence. 33 he blesses the home of the righteous. 34 gives grace to the humble. 35 The wise inherit honor

17. Consequences of the wicked 25 Have fear of sudden disaster or of the ruin that overtakes the wicked, 32 for the LORD detests a perverse man 33 The LORD 's curse is on the house of the wicked 34 He mocks proud mockers 35 but fools he holds up to shame .

18. How do verses 27-30 relate to verses 31-35? Verses 27-30 talks about the unkind deeds to be avoided, Verses 31-35 contrasts the end of the wise and the wicked. So, a wise person who do kind deeds would be rewarded by God, but those who are unkind to others would be considered wicked and be cursed by God.

19. Read Proverbs 4: 1-9 Mark my son ., heart, instruction(teaching), understanding, commandments, and wisedom . These key words appear throughout Proverbs. Consider starting a running list of everything you learn about theses words throughout your study of the book of Proverbs. Several other themes run through the book, so as you see them cropping up again and again, you can compile lists of everything you learn in all the chapters of Proverbs. Day 4

20. Read Proverbs 4: 1-9 Now go back and read Proverbs 1:1 and note the author. Read Proverbs 4:3; 2Samuel 12:14; and 1 Chronicles 14:3-4. Can you figure out the author’s father and mother? Was he the only son of his mother? In light of these verses, what does “the only son in the sight of my mother” mean? What do you think? What actions does the author urge? Make a list, and as before, write out the benefits for each action in a second column. Day 5

21. 1 Listen, my sons, to a father's instruction; pay attention and gain understanding. 2 I give you sound learning, so do not forsake my teaching. 3 When I was a boy in my father's house, still tender, and an only child of my mother, 4 he taught me and said, "Lay hold of my words with all your heart; keep my commands and you will live. 5 Get wisdom, get understanding; do not forget my words or swerve from them.

22. 6 Do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you; love her, and she will watch over you. 7 Wisdom is supreme; therefore get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding. 8 Esteem her, and she will exalt you; embrace her, and she will honor you. 9 She will set a garland of grace on your head and present you with a crown of splendor."

23. Actions Urged Rewards 1 Listen, my sons, to a father's instruction; pay attention and gain understanding. 2 I give you sound learning, so do not forsake my teaching. 5 Get wisdom, get understanding; do not forget my words or swerve from them. 6 Do not forsake wisdom, and love her, 7 Wisdom is supreme; therefore get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding. 8 Esteem her, and embrace her, and she will honor you. 9 She will set a garland of grace on your head and present you with a crown of splendor.“ Wisdom will watch over you and will Protect you; she will exalt you; will honor you. She will set a garland of grace on your head and present you with a crown of splendor."

24. Do you want these benefits?

25. Read Proverbs 4: 10-19 Mark my son , wisdom and wicked . Again list instructions for and benefits of seeking wisdom. Also list instructions regarding avoiding wickedness, and separately list characteristics of the wicked. Contrast the wicked and the righteous. (Hint: Look for the word but . Contrasts are very important in Proverbs. If you don’t understand an instruction, the contrast may make it clear. Day 5

26. Instructions for Wisdom Benefit of Seeking Wisdom 10 accept what I say, 13Hold on to instruction, do not let it go; guard it well, for it is your life 14 Do not set foot on the path of the wicked or walk in the way of evil men. 15 Avoid it, do not travel on it; turn from it and go on your way. 20My son, pay attention to what I say; listen closely to my words. 21Do not let them out of your sight, keep them within your heart; 23 Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life. 24 Put away perversity from your mouth; keep corrupt talk far from your lips. 25 Let your eyes look straight ahead, fix your gaze directly before you. 26 Make level paths for your feet and take only ways that are firm. 27 Do not swerve to the right or the left; keep your foot from evil. 10and the years of your life will be many 11guide 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.

27. Characteristics of the Wicked Instructions to avoid the Wicked 16 For they cannot sleep till they do evil; they are robbed of slumber till they make someone fall. 17 They eat the bread of wickedness and drink the wine of violence. 19 But the way of the wicked is like deep darkness; they do not know what makes them stumble. 14 Do not set foot on the path of the wicked or walk in the way of evil men. 15 Avoid it, do not travel on it; turn from it and go on your way.

28. Characteristics of the Wise Characteristics of theWicked the first gleam of dawn, shining ever brighter till the full light of day. Darkness, evil, cannot sleep, fall, drink wine, violence, stumble

29. 10 Listen, my son , accept what I say, and the years of your life will be many. 11 I guide you in the way of wisdom and lead you along straight paths. 12 When you walk, your steps will not be hampered; when you run, you will not stumble. 13 Hold on to instruction, do not let it go; guard it well, for it is your life. 14 Do not set foot on the path of or walk in the way of evil men. the wicked

30. 15 Avoid it, do not travel on it; turn from it and go on your way. 16 For they cannot sleep till they do evil; they are robbed of slumber till they make someone fall. 17 They eat the bread of and drink the wine of violence. 18 The path of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn, shining ever brighter till the full light of day. 19 But the way of is like deep darkness; they do not know what makes them stumble. the wickness the wicked

31. Read Proverbs 4: 20-27 Mark my son , and heart. Note the instructions about “my sayings” or “my words” and their value to those who find them. Now list the body parts the author mentions and the instructions for each one. Summarize how they relate to verse 22. Write the theme of Proverbs 4 on PROVERBS AT A Glance Day 6

32. List the body parts sight heart whole body mouth, lips eyes feet Paying attention to wisdom would lead to health to a person’s whole body.

33. 20 My son , pay attention to what I say; listen closely to my words. 21 Do not let them out of your sight, keep them within your heart ; 22 for they are life to those who find them and health to a man's whole body. 23 Above all else, guard your heart , for it is the wellspring of life. 24 Put away perversity from your mouth; keep corrupt talk far from your lips.

34. . 25 Let your eyes look straight ahead, fix your gaze directly before you. 26 Make level paths for your feet and take only ways that are firm. 27 Do not swerve to the right or the left; keep your foot from evil.