21st Century Parenting #17

With this blog I want to continue the listing of John Rosemond’s principles for disciplining our children. The first half of the list was in yesterday’s blog if you’d like to view it first.

6. Children are to obey their parents
“Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord.” (Colossians 3:20)
Who you choose to honor is the most important thing about you. Who you curse and dishonor defines you as well. Disagreeing with a parent does not give you the right either to defy or to disobey. It is always considered rebellion in the Bible when we attempt to correct UP, meaning correct one who has authority over us.

7. Obedient children bless themselves
“Listen, my son, to your father’s instruction and do not forsake your mother’s teaching. They will be a garland to grace your head and a chain to adorn your neck.” (Proverbs 1:8-9) If you are the parent who says, “I wish my kids would obey me!” Let me tell you a little secret: kids don’t grant adult’s wishes! Second, you are “wishing” that so YOU’LL feel better. We need to help our children see that, when they are obedient they bless THEMSELVES!

8. The most obedient child is the happiest
“He who ignores discipline despises himself, but whoever heeds correction gains understanding.” (Proverbs 15:32) Disobedient people are never happy. Never. They are sullen, angry, discontent, and self-despising. Your child is not happy being disobedient. Help them be happy! It doesn’t come with a trip to Disney World. It comes when you help them be obedient.

9. A lack of discipline leads to death
“Discipline your son, for in that there is hope; do not be a willing party to his death.” (Proverbs 19:18) The way of transgressors is hard, the Bible says. To fail to correct and discipline your child leads, not just to a hard road but to a dead end!

10. Discipline is the way to life
“These commands are a lamp, this teaching is a light, and the corrections of discipline are the way to life.” (Proverbs 6:23) A lack of discipline leads to death; discipline and correction lead to life. Which path do you want your child walking? The earliest efforts you make to correct/discipline your child are your FIRST efforts at EVANGELISM… sharing eternal life in Christ.

Over fifty years ago during a spectacular series of meetings held in Los Angeles, his fame was growing rapidly. Thousands of people were coming – including film stars and athletes and all kinds of celebrities. They all came to hear the man, to meet the man. As the series entered its eighth week in LA, it was consuming all of Graham’s time and energy. God was speaking through him in powerful ways.

Toward the end of the crusade, Graham’s sister-in-law and her husband came to Los Angeles, bringing a baby with them. The evangelist squeezed in time to be with his relatives. During that meeting he made a comment that the little baby girl was cute; he asked, “To whom does she belong?”

The sister-in-law’s mouth dropped open in surprise. “Why, she’s yours. She’s yours, Billy.” Graham had been away from home so long he didn’t even recognize his own little Anne when she was brought to the crusade. That night the great evangelist resolved that he would spend more time at home with his children.

One wise person said, “The most important rule of parenting is, ‘Must be present to win.'” You cannot do godly discipline from a distance. It truly can’t be phoned in.


FOR MEMORIZATION: My son, keep your father’s command, and don’t forget your mother’s teaching.    Proverbs 6:20

FOR REFLECTION: How can you improve your teaching of the things you want your child to learn? What is your goal as a parent in the instruction of your child? Three things that most parents want from their children are:

1) Respect… of parents and authority
2) Responsibility… taking responsibility for their own faults and issues, not counting on parents to bail them out
3) Resourcefulness… they can entertain themselves, learn to lay out their own clothes and even prepare some simple food without your help.

Those three “R”s will make your child a delightful person to live with and your life a whole lot simpler!

 

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