Friday - September 30, 2016

Woodlawn Family Bible Study
FRIDAY

BIBLE READING:  Hebrews 12:5-11

MAIN IDEA:  “Discipline, Education, Instruction, Cultivation and Improvement.”

DISCUSSION
Proverbs 22:6, “Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.” 

I believe the phrase “way he should go” has more than one application. When children, both boys and girls, start maturing, parents have a responsibility to recognize where their children's talents lie. God has blessed each of us with talents and abilities. Each child is more inclined to excel in areas they are interested in and possess talents for. This, however, may not be the way parents wish for. Remember, trying to put a square peg (your child) into a round hole (what you want for them) is frustrating, for both the peg and the one trying. Change the hole, not the peg.

Another, even more important application of this proverb is to ensure we train our children to understand God’s plan for our salvation, to follow that plan, to love God and our neighbor, and to always be part of Christ’s church. The importance of teaching our children this can’t be over emphasized.

Colossians 3:21 says, "Fathers, don't upset your children. If you are too hard to please, they might want to stop trying."

There is no one but God who can always use appropriate discipline. The fear from using inappropriate discipline should not prevent discipline (Proverbs 13:24; 29:15). The boundaries you set mean nothing without consequences if they are exceeded. Parents learn that the appropriate discipline for each child is different (Talking to, time out, grounded, etc.). Disciplining a child, when done correctly, is not just about trying to control your child, but about showing them how to control their own behavior. It is not about punishing a child for doing something wrong. It’s about setting clear parameters and consequences for breaking rules so that they learn how to discipline themselves. A child who has been taught right from wrong should have an understanding of what is negative and positive behavior and will know when they have done something wrong. They will want to behave correctly out of a desire to be a good member of their family (wanting to please parents), and not so much because they fear punishment.

APPLICATION: Does God discipline us? 

Prayer Requests

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