Bind Them on Your Heart

Keep Your Father’s Command

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Paul told fathers to bring up their children “in the training and admonition of the Lord” (Ephesians 6:4). Long before, Solomon wrote about children who keep good teaching.

My son. “My son, keep your father’s command” (Proverbs 6:20). Solomon speaks like a loving parent talking to a child.

Both parents. “And do not forsake the law of your mother” (6:20). A father and a mother both teach. Law here means teaching.

Keep it. To keep good teaching means to guard it, the way you would guard something precious.

Do not forsake. To forsake means to leave behind and walk away. Good teaching is not something to grow out of.

On your heart. “Bind them continually upon your heart” (6:21). Your heart is the real you inside. God wants good words to live there, not only in your head.

Around your neck. “Tie them around your neck” (6:21). A necklace goes everywhere you go. Good teaching should stay that close.

Continually. Continually means all the time, not only on Sundays.

God’s Word first. Parents and caregivers who love God pass on His Word. They teach their children about Him.

Listening ears. Keeping good teaching starts with listening. When a grown-up who loves God teaches you, listen closely and ask questions.

Even when you grow up. Grown-ups still remember what they learned as children. Good teaching you keep now will help you your whole life.

Every family. Some children learn God’s Word from one parent, a grandparent, a foster parent or an adoptive parent. Some learn it from a teacher at church. God’s Word is for every child, whatever their family looks like.

Good teaching. Good teaching never asks you to do something wrong or unsafe. If anyone does, tell a grown-up you trust.

When we forget. We do not always keep good teaching. We forget, and sometimes we choose our own way. That is sin.

Sin, the cross and new life. Jesus died on the cross for our sins and rose again. Everyone who trusts Him is forgiven, and His Spirit helps them keep God’s Word.

What this means for you. Choose one Bible verse a grown-up has taught you. Say it each morning this week so it stays on your heart.

Paul told fathers to bring up their children “in the training and admonition of the Lord” (Ephesians 6:4). Long before, Solomon wrote to a child about keeping that kind of teaching.

A parent’s voice (6:20). “My son, keep your father’s command, And do not forsake the law of your mother.” Solomon speaks as a parent to a child, and both father and mother teach.

Keep (6:20). Keep is natsar (say: naht-SAR), to guard, watch over and protect, the way someone guards a treasure.

Forsake. To forsake is to abandon. Growing older does not mean leaving good teaching behind.

Upon your heart (6:21). “Bind them continually upon your heart.” In Scripture the heart is the center of a person: thoughts, choices and love. Teaching kept there shapes the whole life.

Around your neck (6:21). “Tie them around your neck.” The picture is of something worn close and carried everywhere.

Continually. Not once, but always. Wisdom kept close is ready when it is needed.

What is handed down. A family can pass on money or land, but the greatest gift is the Word of God.

One voice. Father and mother speak with one voice here. In a home that loves God, both pass on His ways, and the child is called to receive them gladly.

Every household. Not everyone has a father and a mother teaching them God’s Word. Some are raised by one parent, by grandparents, by foster or adoptive parents or by other caregivers, and some first hear God’s Word at church. God’s Word is for every one of them.

Good commands. Good teaching never asks a child to do wrong or to keep a secret that feels bad. If anyone does, tell a grown-up you trust.

The gap. No child keeps good teaching perfectly. We forget, ignore it and walk away. That is sin.

The Son who kept it. Jesus kept His Father’s word perfectly. Then He died on the cross for our sins and rose the third day. All who trust Him are forgiven and given His Spirit.

Application. Write one verse you have been taught on a card, and carry it with you this week.

The Way of Life

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Solomon wrote, “My son, keep your father’s command” (Proverbs 6:20). Then he told what good teaching does for the child who keeps it.

When you walk. “When you roam, they will lead you” (6:22). Roam means to walk about. Good words show you which way to go.

When you sleep. “When you sleep, they will keep you” (6:22). They watch over you even at night.

When you wake. “And when you awake, they will speak with you” (6:22). They are there to help you each morning.

All day long. Walking, sleeping and waking cover the whole day. God’s Word is for every part of your life.

Walking with God’s Word. At school, at play or on a trip, God’s Word can remind you what is right and help you choose it.

Sleeping in peace. At bedtime you can remember that God watches over you. His Word helps a worried heart rest.

A lamp. “For the commandment is a lamp” (6:23). In Bible times a small clay lamp lit the next few steps in a dark house or on a night path.

A light. “And the law a light” (6:23). God’s teaching helps you see what is right and what is wrong.

Correction. “Reproofs of instruction are the way of life” (6:23). A reproof is a loving correction. When someone who loves you corrects you, it helps you grow.

Never cruel. Loving correction is never cruel and never harms you. If a grown-up hurts you or scares you, tell a grown-up you trust. It is never your fault.

The way of life. God’s words lead to life, the good life God made us for.

For every child. Whoever taught you God’s Word, a parent, a grandparent, a caregiver or a teacher at church, God’s lamp shines for you.

Pointing to Jesus. God’s Word points us to Jesus, who loves us and gave Himself for us.

Sin, the cross and new life. We all wander from God’s way. That is sin. Jesus died on the cross for our sins and rose again. Everyone who trusts Him is forgiven and brought back to the way of life.

What this means for you. Read one verse from God’s Word when you wake up and before you sleep this week.

Solomon tells his son to keep a father’s command and a mother’s teaching (Proverbs 6:20). Then he shows what that teaching does for the one who keeps it.

Three times of day (6:22). “When you roam, they will lead you; When you sleep, they will keep you; And when you awake, they will speak with you.” Walking, sleeping and waking cover the whole of life.

A guide. Roam means to walk about. Good teaching goes ahead like a guide on a path.

A guard. In sleep a person can do nothing to protect himself. Good teaching kept in the heart watches over him.

A friend. On waking, good words “speak with you.” They are ready with counsel for the new day.

A lamp (6:23). “For the commandment is a lamp.” Lamp is ner (say: nare), the small clay oil lamp of an Israelite home, which lit only a few steps at a time.

Enough light. A lamp does not show the whole road at once; it shows the next step. Obeying God is often like that.

A light (6:23). “And the law a light.” Law here means instruction, the teaching that shows the way.

Reproof (6:23). “Reproofs of instruction are the way of life.” Reproof is correction. “Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness” (Hebrews 12:11).

Correction as kindness. Loving correction turns a person back to the path before they wander far.

Never harm. Loving correction is never cruel and never harms a child. If any grown-up hurts you or scares you, tell a grown-up you trust; it is never your fault.

For everyone. Whoever first put God’s Word in your hands, a parent, a grandparent, a caregiver or a church teacher, God’s lamp is for you.

Off the path. Every person has wandered from God’s way. That is sin. Christ died on the cross for our sins and rose the third day; all who trust Him are forgiven and brought back to the way of life.

Application. Read one verse each morning and night this week. Ask how it lights your next step.

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Read each section and answer the questions correctly.