Discipline Essential for Children - Lesson 3

Discipline Essential for Children

Proverbs 13: 24 & 23: 13 - 14

Reference verse

Proverbs 13:24

Whoever spares the rod hates their children, but the one who loves their children is careful to discipline them.

Reference verse

Proverbs 23:13-14

¹³ Do not withhold discipline from a child; if you punish them with the rod, they will not die. ¹⁴ Punish them with the rod and save them from death

Reference verse

Proverbs 23:22

Listen to your father, who gave you life, and do not despise your mother when she is old.

Reference verse

Hebrews 12:5-6

⁵ And have you completely forgotten this word of encouragement that addresses you as a father addresses his son? It says,

“My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline,

  and do not lose heart when he rebukes you,

⁶ because the Lord disciplines the one he loves,

  and he chastens everyone he accepts as his son.”[a]

Aim

To show children need to be disciplined if they are to go on to maturity.

Scriptural Truth

God placed us in families so that there is guidance and correction (Proverbs 23: 22). Discipline should display love and concern (Hebrews 12: 5-6).

Poll

WUQ: Parents need to be their children's parents, not their friends.

Do you agree or disagree with this statement?

• Agree

• Disagree

Transition

A child can have many friends but in the formative years, parents need to be their parents and not their friends. Parents need to take charge of the child and give strict instructions for them to follow. When they disobey, the are to be firmly checked. When a loving relationship is developed over time, parents then can become their children's friends too...

Poll

FUQ1: What do today's two passages expect of the parents?

Proverbs 13: 24

Proverbs 23: 13-14

• Discipline the child without sparing the rod

• Have a discussion with the child when a mistake is done

• Pretend like nothing happened when a mistake is done

Multiple Choice

What is the explanation given for the discipline approach in both these verses?

but the one who ____ their children is careful to discipline them.

if you punish them with the rod, they will not ___.

save them from _____.

Proverbs 13: 24

Proverbs 23: 13 - 14

• hate, die, poverty

• love, die, death

• love, cry, death

Multiple Select

UQ1: What happens to children whose parents failed to discipline them?

Select 3 answers.

• Pampered and spoilt

• Become self-centered

• The grow up to be responsible

• No respect for authority

Open Ended

UQ2: In what ways would early discipline help our children mature spiritually?

Explain and provide biblical reference for your explanation.

Multiple Select

UQ3: What benefits are there for children who through discipline become mature?

Select 3 answers.

• Become problem for others

• The grow up to be responsible

• Gain the respect of others

• Personal happiness

• Misfit in society

Poll

AQ1: Can the church help parents to instill discipline in a child?

• Yes

• No

Multiple Select

AQ2: What should parents do to ensure discipline in their children?

Select 3 answers.

• Be discipline themselves

• Be firm and fair

• Impress upon their children the benefits of a discipline life

• Use harsh words

Poll

AQ3: How can parents impress upon their children that their motive for disciplining them is love?

You can choose more than one answer.

• Do not be harsh when correcting

• Choose a method that best suit your child's behavioral change

• Do not punish for accidental wrongdoing but for deliberate disobedience

• Explain to children why they are being punished (when they can understand)

• Do not reject a child who turns back to you after punishment

Note

When punishing your children, do not mete out your anger on them. It is important to be in control of yourself during such times.

Poll

AQ4: What could you do this coming week to help parents who have children with discipline issues?

You can select more than one answer.

• Pray for them

• Post your concern on church group WhatsApp chat

• Give word of encouragement to the parents

• Call and correct their children secretly

God's word in my heart...

Proverbs 13:24

²⁴ Whoever spares the rod hates their children, but the one who loves their children is careful to discipline them.