How might the book of Proverbs be useful in training young people
“Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old, he will not turn from it.” (Proverbs 22:6)
The book of Proverbs is extremely useful in training young people. I have had the privilege of teaching in a Christian school in Japan for the past fourteen years, and I have been working with 8th graders on a daily basis. During homeroom every morning, I have been using the book of Proverbs with those young students during the past 14 years.
The book of Proverbs is extremely useful because both Christians or non-Christians can easily understand the contents of the book. The topics covered in the book, written 3000 years ago, are still relevant today. The topic of making right decisions in our lives – especially how to use our tongues and maintaining positive relationships – is very relevant for the adolescents going through puberty – learning to make right decisions on their own. The book also recommends us that we ought to be humble and listen to other people’s advice and instructions. Once a non-Christian middle school student shared with me that he had enjoyed reading the book of proverbs because he could feel that he was being led in the right path.
The book also teaches us the importance of humility before God. It teaches us that, even though we study very hard, our knowledge will still be limited. We do not know what will happen next – say the pandemic as an example. By reading the book of Proverbs, we can understand that God is in control and that we ought to submit and trust in His care and guidance – through prayers and reading of His word.