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Welcome

Thank you for joining us. To learn more about FBC Altus and our ministries, visit us at www.fbcaltus.org.

Sermon Outline

PARENTING WORKSHOP

DISCIPLINE

INTRODUCTION:
There is a strong school of thought that any corporeal punishment from Christian parents
is, in fact, sinful. The Bible teaches a different message. Life is filled with consequences and
part of our job as parents is to help our children understand the joy of reward and the pain of
punishment. Certainly the punishment should not be excessive. If you have a tendency toward
anger, you must seek the Lord for help and NEVER punish your kids while you are angry.
Different children respond to different types of discipline. Our oldest daughter would
melt with a simple look of disapproval from us. Our youngest daughter would continue her
defiance even after an intense punishment. I finally discovered that money was the key to
controlling our youngest daughter’s behavior.
Children feed on our emotional responses. If we get “worked up” over everything they
do, they are influencing us more than we are influencing them. Children can be masters at
manipulating our feelings and at putting us at odds with one another. Do not allow yourself to
jump into that bottomless pit. Stay in control, pray, and never let them see you sweat.
Be careful to explain the punishment and the desired results. Make sure they understand.
PROVERBS 13:24
Parental love is displayed in disciplining the children responsibly. The word “hate”
carries the idea of abandoning or rejecting the child. Too much lenience and too much harsh
discipline are equally problematic. The balance comes when the child has room to grow while
learning the limits.
EPHESIANS 6:4
Fathers need to exercise a sensitivity and care in how they interact with their children,
and especially in how they discipline them.
Parents have the ultimate responsibility of raising their children in such a way that they
will be trained in understanding the essence of the Christian truth and that they will be instructed
and admonished on how to live this out.

HEBREWS 12:5-11
Scripture links sonship and suffering. The word for discipline combines the thoughts of
chastening and education. It points to sufferings that teach us something.
God disciplines people he loves, not those he is indifferent to. Believers should not see
difficulties as sufferings but as God’s discipline. If anyone does not receive discipline, then he is
illegitimate. The point is: this one is not an heir; not a part of the family.
Fathers are seen in their capacity as chastisers, trainers of their children by punishing
them when they go wrong. The effect is to arouse respect, not resentment.
Earthly fathers did the best they could in disciplining their children but they made
mistakes. God’s discipline is always for our good. At the time it takes place, chastisement is
never a happy joyous affair.