Covenantal Discipleship

Child Rearing in the New Covenant
Article One below is concerning the formal teaching of our children.
Article Two is "All Education is Religious"
Article Three is a catechism for young children.
Article Four is 66 passages of Scripture for children to memorize.

Recommend Books
Shepherding a Child's Heart by Tedd Tripp
When You Rise Up by R.C. Sproul, Jr.
Standing on the Promises by Douglas Wilson
The Christian Philosophy of Education Explained by Stephen Perks
The Children Trap by Robert Thoburn
Recovering the Lost Tools of Learning by Douglas Wilson
Is Public Education Necessary? by Samuel Blumenfield

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Article One

A Letter Concerning Christian Education 

Quite a number of years ago I sent this letter below to a brother in Christ concerning the education (discipleship) of Christian children.  He and I had been wrangling about it for some time together, but it had gotten to a boiling point (unfortunately, but Providentially) where he was actually encouraging  friends of his and mine that were struggling with homeschooling to simply quit and send their children to State schools. He did this because he believed there was no difference between the two approaches to speak of, and that it was adiaphora, or “things indifferent” that the Bible never addressed.  I firmly disagreed and decided to get it all out there in writing so we could both contemplate this topic clearly and concisely together.

       The reason why I am placing this here on my blog is because I’m still seeing this activity among the evangelical and/or Reformed community and it concerns me deeply.  By this I mean the abandonment of homeschooling and shipping the kids off in the big, orange kipnapper to State schools.  It grieves me everytime I hear of it, and so I’ve been thinking about some way I could perhaps encourage anyone that’s considering such a thing to stop, reconsider, and take it by the Spirit to the Father in prayer.  

       What I came up with is this idea, and so I've included this letter here that I wrote out in that spirit, praying it’ll build up and bless any of those out there who are weary with teaching your children.  I hope it’ll aid you in seeing afresh the vision of discipling your children for Christ and that your drooping sails may be filled with a firm, cool breeze.

      I’ve abridged the letter a bit and taken out the name and some personal, side comments, but the remainder is as I sent it.  It’s pretty straight forward and I didn’t mince any words, so please don’t be alarmed.  It is my belief that we should communicate to those in Christ in serious matters such as this with clear, unambiguous, confronting, grace-filled language.  What is not needed is vague, equivocating little pleasantries that can be understood in any which way so that everyone involved can “feel good” (dreadful phrase) after all is said and done.  That isn’t Christ-centered agape and we truly need to purge that leaven from among Christ’s Household. 

       That said, this is one of those very crucial subjects – the discipleship of our covenant children – and it should never be taken lightly just so we can all “get along” (to where?).  As Jesus told us, “It would be better for a person to be thrown into the sea with a millstone tied around his neck than for him to cause one of these little ones to stumble.” 

Dear Brother,

            So here is the heart of the issue/disagreement as closely as I can determine: you believe that a disciple of Christ can send their covenant child to a State school and not be in sin, and that the Word of God does not ostensibly address this issue, thus it is principally in the realm of “Christian liberty” or adiaphora.  Further, in your opinion, there is no evidence – extreme or otherwise – to indicate that the teaching and environment of state schools is so antithetical to the Law of God that a Christian parent would be acting unfaithfully if they exposed their children to such an environment.

            Now, on the other hand, I believe that the Scriptures speak simply and plainly throughout concerning the comprehensive education (i.e. discipleship) of a covenant child and thus issue binding commands that leave no room for the Christian disciple-parent to entertain their Christian “license” in the sphere of the nurture and instruction of their child. Thus, I am doubtlessly convinced a Christian parent is in sin when they voluntarily send their child to a State school (unless perhaps under extreme and/or bizarre circumstances).  Moreover, evidence is ample and undeniable that the education system of the State is fully hostile to the Church and completely anti-Christ in its very nature and teaching.

            So, where do we start?  I think we must begin by defining some terms of this disagreement.  First, so we’re on the same page together, let’s set down the definition of education: it is the means, or process, by which one’s heart and mind are intentionally shaped and informed to view and understand the triune God, ourselves, others and Creation. 

            Next, the question must be asked, what do we as believers in Christ hope is accomplished through this process of instruction for our children?  In other words, what is the goal of covenant education?  It is my belief that the Word of God teaches that the goal of covenant instruction is: to manifest the glory of Yahweh, the triune God – Father, Christ and Holy Spirit – by coming to love and serve Him with all one’s heart, mind and strength, and to enjoy Him forever, body and soul.  (“…whatever you do, do all for the glory of God.” 1 Corinthians 10.31 – “For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things.  To Him be the glory forever. Amen.”  Romans 11.36 – “Hear, O Israel! Yahweh is our God, Yahweh is one!  You shall love Yahweh your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.”  Deut. 6.4 – “…and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.” 2 Corinthians 10.5).

            I believe the Westminster Confession of Faith supports that vision as well because the instruction of the heart and mind are part and parcel to “the chief end of man”, and this instruction/discipleship, cannot be done without the Scriptures, which the Confession states is the “only rule to direct us how we may glorify and enjoy Him” (WCF Shorter Catechism Q2). 

            True maturity in heart and mind for a covenant child cannot occur without being founded in “Christ in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.” (Colossians 2.2-3) and saturated in the instruction of the Scriptures.  The Bible is THE principle tool given to us to direct our children as to how they are to learn to glorify and enjoy Him with their whole existence. So then, to neglect the counsel and instruction of the Word leads one to having no way of knowing one’s purpose as to how to glorify and enjoy Him with all their mind, heart and body.  As the Word tells us, “The fear of Yahweh is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.” (Proverbs 9.10).

            What this ultimately means is that all realms of study and discipleship must find their unity and starting point in the Creator, and they must be – indeed only can be – properly understood in and through the light of the Word.  Therefore, if Christian children are attending the State’s schools and the instruction they are receiving is not founded in the Word and training them to love and serve Christ with all their heart, mind and strength in all disciplines of study, then it follows that true, biblical education is not occurring and hence no child of the Covenant should be attending. 

            This unfortunately is what’s happening in our public institutions of learning.  We have been duped into reducing “education” to the mere absorption of random, unrelated, empirical facts so we then can go to college, then get a “good” job, acquire personal peace and affluence, and then upon our death be absorbed into the cosmos.  Our most precious covenant children are being subversively inculcated with these godless, self-centered, idolatrous ideas, and there is no doubt as to the reason why these ideas are being taught to America’s children.  That reason is because the State’s education system has intentionally set itself up against the one true God.  How so?  By declaring God unimportant, even irrelevant, in human affairs and thought.  This anti-Christ system has comprehensively and systematically omitted God and His revelation entirely from its teaching and worldview, and has forced its teachers to either comply or be released.  This is pure, unadulterated atheism, and the school system that ignores who God is, what He’s done and what He requires of His creatures, teaches its pupils who have been rendered to it to do the very same thing.  We know the Word tells us “The fool says in his heart ‘There is no God’”.  How much more can the same be said for an institution that teaches and proclaims that there is no God in heaven!  This, my friend, is a religion commonly called secular humanism – as you well know – and it is totally incompatible with the teaching of the Logos and His Church. 

            The State school system has, and is, methodically and intentionally liquidating our most cherished beliefs, one child at a time, one generation at a time.   It matters not if one can or cannot site extreme, sensational examples of pure evil in the public school classrooms.  This overt and hostile atheism should be reason enough for you to never condone any Christian under your authority and care sending their child to a state school. 

            For we are commanded to rear our children in the nurture and instruction of Jesus, the Lord, and this cannot be faithfully accomplished by sending one’s child for five days a week, eight hours a day to a place where Christ’s Lordship is rejected, repudiated and said to have no place or consequence in ones study.  My brother, this is not in the realm of “liberty” of ones conscience!!  To send a child – which the Scriptures portray as being tossed to and fro by every wind of doctrine, and folly being bound up in their hearts – into such an environment and life-system where these heretical doctrines and concepts are held in highest regard, is nothing less than to willingly allow one’s covenant child to be proselytized by missionaries of an alien faith!

            It’s not as though our children are going to State schools to learn physical skills and dexterity of limbs so that they can accurately replicate over and over again a given task.  No, they are going for the specific intention to soberly, solemnly and submissively develop their hearts and minds.  The one drills a muscle or sense-organ with a mechanical end, the other trains the heart for a moral purpose. This means intellectually focusing one’s mental strength on ideas and concepts, with the hope to know how to live in this world aright.  In short, they’re going to be trained in, and given, a worldview. 

            Finally, though, let’s look at this topic of inculcation from another angle: we would never, as Christian parents, never even conceive of sending our covenant children to a Muslim(!) or a Buddhist(!) or a Mormon(!) school; and yet, ironically, our minds have been so trained and molded by our upbringing in public education humanism that we can’t even see clearly how biblically inconsistent and unrighteous even our nominal acceptance of the State’s claim to be ethically “neutral” really is!

            Secondly, you should not only reject public school instruction for covenant children because it is atheistic and antagonistic to Christ and His Church, but too, Scripture clearly portrays the State’s role to be limited to the protection of it’s citizens and the punishment of evildoers (Romans 13.1-4) and does not extend to compulsory taxation of it’s people for the education of other people's children.  The education of one’s child is plainly stated in Scripture to be the responsibility of fathers (Dt 6 and Ephesians 6) and not the State’s.  When the State does such a thing it is setting itself up as The Father of all children and will soon – as it has done increasingly in this country – come to believe all children are it’s responsibility and that it is to provide in every way for every one of it’s “kids”.

            This isn’t just a minor note either, because on this biblical teaching alone – apart from State school humanism – you should reject the idea of supporting parents sending their children to State schools.  When we freely send our children to have the State nurture and develop them, we are only buttressing and encouraging the State’s idolatrous “messianic” view of itself and it’s encroaching role in our families lives.         

            This sacrificing of our covenant children on the altar of secular humanism simply cannot continue to be tolerated within the Church.  No excuse can be offered, nor imagined, that can justify sending the baptized children of King Jesus under the submission and catechism of such an idolatrous, anti-Christ institution; and not only that, but an institution that is being unbiblically – no less unconstitionally – directed and bankrolled by the State through coercion on the backs of taxpayers! 

            As our Lord said, “He that is not with Me is against Me.” and “Things that cause people to sin are bound to come, but woe to that person through whom they come.  It would be better for a person to be thrown into the sea with a millstone tied around his neck than for him to cause one of these little ones to stumble.”  Do you really believe in your heart of hearts that the State school system is with our Christ?  Do you really believe in your heart of hearts that you won’t be making a grave mistake by supporting or encouraging someone under your care in sending their child into an environment where one of its primary goals is to cause covenant children to stumble and turn from the living God? 

            In conclusion, I plead with you brother to reject and forsake this idea of State education being Christian liberty.  For if by now I’ve been able to persuade you of the enormous implications of this subject and how crucial one’s stance on it is, I believe you absolutely must, as befitting a baptized man of Christ, that you repudiate any fear of man and put your hand to the plow and not look back…

For I am, along with you, a sinner saved only by grace,




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Article Two

All Education is Religious

A southwest Idaho newspaper named the Idaho Press Tribune wrote a piece entitled "How to Handle Religion in Schools" and I made the required 300 word rebuttal showing that their underling premise, or presupposition, was built on a myth; and, eureka!, they actually published it.  They earned my respect because I really didn't think they would have done it after what I wrote.  It's nothing much, but it was fun to write.  These small things, though, are the little means, or tools, the Spirit uses to change hearts and then cultures. You can read my reply HERE or below (the original version),

In rebuttal to Idaho Press Tribune’s editorial board opinion on 6.14.15 entitled “How to Handle Religion in Schools” I would assert that religion – in any context – is inescapable.  There is no place (metaphorically or otherwise) of neutrality in the realm of learning and/or teaching concerning what is right and wrong, good or bad, righteous or sinful.  To assert that there is such a place of neutrality comes from the land of fantasy and myth. 

      Unfortunately, your opinion piece is likewise built on the mythical presupposition that “religion” is somehow non-existent in the State schools, as though they or It is a vacuum of Neutrality.  The fact that you actually view the institution of the State school this way shows just how well all of you (and myself for that matter) absorbed the moral and religious teaching inculcated to us by the civil government’s education system.

       That’s because it IS teaching religion and that religion has a specific name: Secular Humanism (i.e. Practical Atheism), and the core moral/religious doctrines that are taught EVERYDAY are:  #1) Ignore the Creator.  He may safely be disregarded without any consequence to your present life or eternal destiny.  #2) God is unimportant and irrelevant in everyday human affairs. He has no place in your studies, lessons and education. #3) Religion is only to be understood in terms of believing in a Supreme Being(s) and meeting to observe ancient rituals, otherwise you’re not religious.
       This is NOT neutrality, rather it is a coordinated, antagonistic attack upon Theism in general, and the Christian faith in particular by taxing us in order to subvert and liquidate historic belief in King Jesus.  This is diabolical and should be dissolved as soon as possible.  All educational opportunities should be voluntary and privatized (neighborhood or city co-ops, private schools, home education, etc.)
       In the final analysis, the question is not: WILL religious education be taught in our State schools?  Rather, it is:  WHICH religious education will be taught in our nation’s school system?

Giddy-up,

          

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Article Three
A Bible Catechism for Young Children
by C.E. Ankeny

Question 1: How many gods are there?
Answer: There is only one, true, living God.

Q2:  What is His name?
A:  Yahweh

Q3:  How many persons are in the one, true, living God Yahweh?
A:  Three

Q4:  What are their names?
A:  Father, Jesus and Holy Spirit.

Q5:  How long has Yahweh existed?
A:  Forever.  He has always been.

Q6:  Where is God?
A:  He is everywhere.

Q7:  Where does He live and have His home?
A:  In Heaven above and in His People on Earth.

Q8:  What has our Lord created?
A:  He has created all things.

Q9:  Why did our Lord create all things?
A:  For His glory.

Q10:  How can you glorify Yahweh?
A:  By loving Him and obeying Him.

Q11:  Why should you love and obey God?
A:  Because He created me and He loves me so much He died for me.

Q12:  How do you know He created you and loves you?
A:  His Word, the Holy Scriptures, tell me so.

Q13:  Who wrote God’s Word?
A:  Holy, faithful men who were taught and led by the Holy Spirit.

Q14:  In Yahweh’s Word we are told He created all things in six days.  On which day did God create the first man?
A:  On the sixth day.

Q15:  What was the first man’s name?
A:  Adam.

Q16:  How was Adam special and different from the animals?
A:  He was created in God’s image.

Q17:  Of what did Yahweh create Adam from?
A:  The dirt of the ground.

Q18:  What was the first woman’s name?
A:  Eve.

Q19:  How did God create her?
A:  God formed her from a rib taken from Adam’s side.

Q20:  What were Adam and Eve’s nature – their wholeselves, body and spirit – like when God created them?
A:  They were holy and righteous.

Q21:  Did Adam remain righteous?
A:  No, he sinned.

Q22:  What is sin?
A:  It is disobedience to God and His Law.

Q23:  What is the punishment for sin?
A:  Death.

Q24:  What sin did Adam commit against God and His Word?
A:  He ate of the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil when Yahweh told him not to.

Q25:  What happened because of Adam’s sin?
A:  Death and sin came to all Creation.

Q26:  Why did Adam’s sin affect all Creation?
A:  Because he was our Covenant head.

Q27:  Will all people die then and be separated from Father, Jesus, and Spirit forever?
A:  No, God has lovingly chosen many to live eternal life with Him.

Q28:  Who is the only person who can save us from this death and sin and give us eternal life?
A:  Jesus the Messiah.

Q29:  Who is Jesus?
A:  He is God the Son, King and Savior of all Creation.

Q30:  How has King Jesus saved and redeemed His chosen people?
A:  He did this by living a righteous life, dieing for our sins on the Cross, and rising from the dead three days later.

Q31:  What and who did Jesus conquer by His death and resurrection?
A:  He conquered death and Satan.

Q32:  How do the Lord’s people come to be united in love with Jesus?
A:  By being baptized, repenting of their sins, and trusting by faith in Him.

Q33:  What is faith?
A:  Faith is loving and trusting in Jesus for salvation and not in myself.

Q34:  How do we come to have faith in Jesus?
A:  Only by the mercy of Holy Spirit working in us.

Q35:  Who does Holy Spirit give this gift of faith to?
A:  His chosen, elect People.

Q36:  Does He give it to you because you’re smart or pretty (or handsome)?
A:  No.

Q37:  Does He give faith to you because you’re funny and other boys and girls like you?
A:  No.

Q37:  Does Holy Spirit give it to you because you obey your parents and you believe you’re a really nice, good little girl (or boy)?
A:  No.

Q38:  So, if He doesn’t give faith to you because of anything you DO or because of anything you ARE, why does God give faith to some people and not to others?
A:  He does so because He knows all things and acts according to His own wise purposes and loving grace.

Q39:  What then are you to do with this gift of faith given to you  by the loving grace of Yahweh?
A:  I am to love the Father, Jesus and Spirit with all my heart, strength and mind, and love my neighbors as if they were my very self.

Q40:  And where did you learn all this from?
A:  From the Word of God, where TRUE FREEDOM is found.

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Article Four
Scripture to Memorize

Here's a list of 66 Bible verses (yeah, that's right...66) I have compiled for my children to memorize and also for my wife and I to use weekly as simple and easy platforms to catechise (instruct) our children with.

    The Spirit moved me deeply a few years ago while reading Colossians 3:16 where it states, "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly...".  and, well, I was convicted that It -- the Word -- wasn't dwelling deeply much of anywhere inside me or my family, so one idea I had among many was to set about to find a list "out there" of Bible passages to use for memorization.  We'd been doing a bit of this but nothing very orderly.  Unfortunately, most of what I found were only happy, feel-good verses (typically taken out of it's context) or they didn't reflect the whole counsel of God's Word even in the slightest.  

     I want my children to wrestle with the tough passages of Scripture as well as the "common sense" or easy ones.  I want God's Word to prepare them to understand and deal with death, temptation, laughter, Satan, irony, ungodly neighbors, cheats, heralding the Good News, liars, hyperbole and being patient with Christians (perhaps the most difficult task on the planet).

     The way we practice these with our children is my wife will go over one verse a week in the mornings, typically before our kids formal lessons, and then I go over that same verse after dinner each night, coupling it with a Scripture reading.

     Anyway, here they are.  Please feel free to copy them if you so desire, and may God's Word burrow down deep into you and your family's soul.

 Genesis 1:1 – “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the Earth.”

 Luke 17:33 -“Whoever seeks to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life will find it.”


 Isaiah 6:3 – “Holy, holy, holy is Yahweh of hosts; the whole earth is full of His glory!"

 Proverbs 30:5 - “Every word of God is true, and He is a shield to those who put their trust in Him.”

 Matthew 7:12 - “Whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.”

 Proverbs 10:12 – Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all offenses.

 Job 28:28 – “The fear of the Lord is wisdom and to depart from evil is understanding.”

 Proverbs 31:9 – Open your mouth, judge righteously, and defend the rights of the poor and needy.

 Matthew 22:37-38 (The Greatest Commandment) – Jesus said, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the greatest commandment.”

 Proverbs 14:29 – Whoever is slow to anger has great understanding, but he who has a hasty temper exalts folly.

 Psalm 19:1 – “The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork.”

 Proverbs 10:17 – Whoever heeds instruction is on the path to life, but he who rejects reproof leads others astray.

 Acts 20:35 - “We must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.'"

 Proverbs 28:23 – He who rebukes a person will later find more favor than he who flatters with his tongue.

 1 John 1:8 – “If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.”

 Proverbs 11:12 – Whoever slanders his neighbor lacks wisdom, but a person of understanding remains silent.

 Galatians 2:20 – “I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”

 Proverbs 20:22 – Do not say, “I will repay the evil done to me.”  Wait for Yahweh, and He will deliver you.

 Matthew 22:39 (2nd Greatest Commandment) – Jesus said, “Love your neighbor as if he were your very self.”

 Proverbs 11:28 – The one who trusts in riches will fall, but the righteous will flourish like a green leaf.

 Romans 8:28 – “We know that all things work together for good to those who love God and who are the called according to His purpose.”

 Proverbs 18:13 – If someone gives an answer before he listens, it is folly and shame to him.

 Isaiah 40:8 – “The grass withers and the flower fades but the Word of our God stands forever.”

 Proverbs 25:26 – Like a muddied spring or a polluted well is a righteous man who gives way before the wicked.

 Hebrews 11:1 – “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.”

 Proverbs 23:17 – Let not your heart envy the wicked, but rather live in the fear of Yahweh all your days.

 Philippians 1:21 – “To live is Christ, to die is gain.”

 Proverbs 16:16 – How much better it is to get wisdom than gold, and to choose understanding rather than silver.

 James 1:17 – “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow of changing.”

 Proverbs 16:3 – “Commit your works to the Lord and your plans will be established.”

 1 John 2:15 – “Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.”

 Proverbs 13:3 – “Whoever guards his mouth preserves his life, but he who opens wide his lips comes to ruin.”

 Ephesians 4:32 – “Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God in Christ forgave you.”

 Proverbs 16:24 – Gracious words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body.

 Hebrews 13:5 – “Keep your life free from the love of money, and be content with what you have, for God has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you."

 Proverbs 21:13 – Whoever closes his ear to the cry of the poor will himself call out and not be answered.

 Romans 12:2 – “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your ind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”

 Proverbs 23:4 – Do not toil to acquire wealth, be discerning enough to cease.

 Philippians 4:6-7 – “Be anxious nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

 Proverbs 28:13 – A person who conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy.

 Matthew 5:42 – “Give to him who asks you, and from him who wants to borrow from you do not turn away.”

 Proverbs 3:5-6  “Trust in Yahweh with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make straight your paths.”

 Galatians 5:22-23 – “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control against such things there is no law.”

 Proverbs 16:28 – A dishonest person spreads strife, and a whisperer separates close friends.

 James 1:19-20 - “Let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger, for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God.”

 Proverbs 16:4 – Yahweh has made everything for its purpose, even the wicked for the day of trouble.

 Psalm 119:105 – “Your word O God is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.”

 Proverbs 15:17 – Better is a dinner of herbs where love is than a fattened calf and hatred with it.

 Ephesians 2:20 – “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God.”

 Proverbs 13:11 – Wealth gained hastily will dwindle, but whoever gathers little by little will increase it.

 1 Timothy 6:7-8 – “For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out; but having food and clothing with these things we shall be content.”

 Proverbs 12:19 – Truthful lips endure forever, but a lying tongue is but for a moment.

 Matthew 11:28-30 – “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."

 Proverbs 16:18 – Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.

 2 Timothy 3:16 – “All Scripture is breath out by God and profitable for teaching and reproof and for correction and training in righteousness.”

 Proverbs 15:15 – All the days of the afflicted are evil, but the cheerful of heart has a continual feast.

 John 10:14-15 – Jesus said, “I am the good shepherd.  I know my own and my own know me,  just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep.”

 Proverbs 19:21 – Many plans are in a man’s heart, but it is the purpose of Yahweh that will stand.

 Psalm 34:8-9 – “Oh, taste and see that Yahweh is good. Blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him. Oh, fear Yahweh you His saints. For those who fear Him lack nothing.”

 Proverbs 20:13 – Do not love sleep, lest you come to poverty.  Open your eyes and you will have plenty of bread.

 Colossians 3:17 – “Whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.”

 Proverbs 20:1 – Wine can be a mocker, and strong drink a brawler, and whoever is led astray by them is not wise.

 Joshua 1:9 – “Be strong and of good courage, do not be dismayed nor be afraid.  For Yahweh your God is with you wherever you go.”

 Proverbs  24:11 – Rescue those who are being taken away to death, save those who are stumbling to the slaughter.

 Micah 6:8 – “What does Yahweh require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness and to walk humbly with your God.”

 Proverbs 11:4 – Riches do not profit in the day of wrath, but righteousness delivers one from death.

 John 14:6 – “Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life.”