Proverbs and the Formation of Character

In the book of Proverbs, we read that wisdom is described as located in a city, in the hub of human activity (Proverbs 1:20-33), that the wise rely on the counsel of others and the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. Wisdom is therefore relational, based on a relationship first with God and then with others. The formation of character therefore does not develop in a vacuum but in community with others. 

Proverbs 27:17 says, "As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another." 

Sharpening or challenging one another is key to character education. Teachers challenge students to grow and stretch their mental capacities, requiring the student to exercise the mind in the disciplined work of study, dialogue, reflection, and the integration of ideas. Students should be encouraged and taught how to engage in rigorous interaction with others who reflect with them, offer courteous ideas, express alternatives and listen. Similarly, they should be taught to verbalise their thoughts to clarify and better understand those thoughts themselves. Our students need to think critically and to listen and interact with the views of others that may be in opposition to their own. 

The wisdom teachers of Biblical times were not content with students regurgitating ideas simply through rote memory; rather they demonstrated an interest in equipping their students to be discerning and to process ideas through spirited interaction with others. This is reflected in the writings of the wisdom literature and the way that many of the Proverbs themselves are constructed. It is also the approach that our teachers are taking as we teach, nurture and engage our students at Donvale.

Managing life's journeys successfully demands the support, accountability and wisdom of a faith community. In the book of Proverbs, we read of the essential role that the community of faith plays in the process of character formation, assimilating a community into the worldview of Yahweh and developing a way of life that demonstrates the fear of the Lord. It is community that provides the healthy context for reproof, exhortation and instruction.

In one of Proverbs’ most famous verses, Proverbs 22:6, we read about training a child in the way he/she should go. This is not only the responsibility of the parent in Proverbs but also the neighbour or friend and the wise, i.e. the roles we play as educators in a Christian school partnering with parents. This training involves teaching children the way of righteousness, justice and equity and giving them the fundamental principles by which to live. 

The wisdom poem of Proverbs 2:1-9 describes the collaborative effort at work in the process of instructing youth. The teacher in this poem does not leave the process to chance but rather takes deliberate steps to initiate and fulfil the responsibility and the youth also must take responsibility as they open their minds and actively seek out instruction. But there is ultimately another key player, God, the giver of wisdom. Character is not generated in a vacuum; it flows out of a vision of the nature of God. Proverbs 2:1-9 is a picture of a community sustained and strengthened by God, deliberately at work training those with open minds to understand wisdom and to acquire the knowledge of God.

The final chapter of Proverbs, chapter 31, demonstrates what a lifetime of discipline, hard work and fearing God looks like. This woman was shaped by a God-fearing community, she is accountable to it and loves to serve it. She pursues wisdom and develops qualities of trust, generosity, courage, diligence and fear of the Lord.

It is my prayer that at Donvale Christian College, we will continue to be guided by God's Word as we seek, in community and in partnership with parents and churches, to develop the character of our students in a way that aligns with the character of the wise person as described in Proverbs.