The novelty has worn off. A friend said this recently regarding the lifestyle required by this virus. So it behooves us even more to find a silver lining. For me, it’s dads with kids riding bikes.

The last verse in the Old Testament is an interesting one. Malachi speaks of God sending a prophet like Elijah who will “turn the hearts of fathers to their children and the hearts of children to their fathers.”[1] It turns out this prophet is John the Baptist who is sent by God to “turn the hearts of the fathers to their children” in preparation for the coming of the Christ.[2]

In some recent translations “fathers” is translated “parents,” and this also works. But there is something very important about dads focusing on their children. Something special happens when dads, as well as moms, do this.

The announcement about John the Baptist also speaks of the need for an increase in wisdom, turning “the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous.”

I am convinced that this generation of children needs wisdom more than anything else.

Wisdom is the ability to see what is good and what leads to more good. Conversely, it’s also the ability to see what is harmful or evil and leads to destruction. Here at the DNA we say that ideas have consequences. Wisdom is the ability to see the consequence of an idea.

Wisdom is the ability to see the one’s life and world correctly. We refer to this level of “seeing” as worldview. Wisdom is seeing yourself and others as God sees you. It is seeing the world and your place and purpose in it as God designed it to be. It is knowing the triune God, his nature and his purposes.

From where do children get wisdom?

Our children need physical, emotional, social, and intellectual provision, but they especially need wisdom. They need wisdom about who they are and their purpose. Wisdom about their sexuality and what it means to be a male or female. Wisdom about relationships, marriage, work, school, money. And they especially need wisdom about the source of wisdom, God.

Solomon writing in Proverbs said it is better to get wisdom than gold and that nothing we may desire can compare with the value of wisdom.

Life is difficult. Everyone needs wisdom – but especially children. I believe wisdom imparted to a child is like giving them a vaccine against polio, smallpox, or even COVID-19 (when it is developed). With wisdom a child can safely walk into a world fraught with false and deceptive ideas and not be overcome, harmed, or even destroyed.

The hundred dollar question is … where will they get wisdom? From other children? From Facebook, Instagram, Youtube and Netflix? From their teachers at school? From the state? From the surrounding culture?

No, they need to get wisdom from their parents. This is God’s design for parents and children. Both the dad and the mom are responsible, and each has a unique role to play in imparting wisdom to these precious young people.

So why the title, “Dad With Kids On Bikes?” Because I have seen more dads riding bikes with their kids in the past weeks than I’ve ever seen before. Not just riding bikes but pushing strollers, walking, and playing games in the yard. I know it’s at least partly because we’re stuck at home, but to me it strikes a note of hope. It looks like the hearts of fathers turning to their children.

From where do parents get wisdom?

Yes, this “turning of the heart” starts with time and attention. But may it also lead to the impartation of wisdom.

The last question is what if the parent lacks wisdom? Well, we better help one another acquire it. The source is God. The Bible says he stands ready to give it.

“If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.” James 1:5

• Dwight Vogt

[1] Malachi 4:6 (ESV)

[2] Luke 1:16-17 (ESV)

Print this page