HelpFinder Bible - Flipbook - Page 130
page A128
Family continued
• L U K E 1 5 :2 0 | “Filled with love and compassion, he ran to his son, embraced him, and
kissed him.”
The mark of a loving parent is the willingness to forgive.
How should I discipline my children?
• PR O V E R B S 1 3 :2 4 | Those who spare the rod of discipline hate their children. Those who
love their children care enough to discipline them.
Discipline your children with love. If you have their safety and well-being in mind, you will
need to disciple them in order to protect them.
• PR O V E R B S 1 9 :1 8 | Discipline your children while there is hope. Otherwise you will ruin
their lives.
Discipline is almost always most effective when done right away because it makes the
cause and effect of the punishment more relevant. Small children may need more discipline when they are young to teach them what is safe and right. As your children grow up,
you will probably need to discipline them less and less as they put into practice the things
they’ve learned from your loving correction.
• E PH E S I A NS 6 :4 | Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger by the way you treat
them. Rather, bring them up with the discipline and instruction that comes from the Lord.
F
Never discipline out of anger because the only thing it teaches a child is to react in anger.
If you are angry, calm down before you discipline. When you are calm enough to discipline,
be sure to explain to your children what they did wrong, that you love you them, and
instruct them in how to do better next time. Then they will not only learn from their mistakes but also how to react in love, not anger.
HelpFinder
• C O L O S S I A NS 3 :2 1 | Fathers, do not aggravate your children, or they will become
discouraged.
Discipline should be done without causing aggravation and discouragement.
Aggravating your children takes the focus off your love and concern for them. This is
discouraging for children because they don’t see the point of the discipline, only the
discipline itself.
• H E B R E W S 1 2 :1 0 | For our earthly fathers disciplined us for a few years, doing the best they
knew how. But God’s discipline is always good for us, so that we might share in his holiness.
The Bible is full of wisdom on how to deal with children. Commit these words of wisdom to
heart and devote yourself to putting them into practice.
How should children relate to parents?
• E X O DU S 2 0 :1 2 | “Honor your father and mother. Then you will live a long, full life in the
land the Lord your God is giving you.”
• E PH E S I A NS 6 :1 | Children, obey your parents because you belong to the Lord.
Even if you disagree with your parents, you must still show them honor, respect, and
obedience.
What if I am a single parent or grew up in a single-parent home?
• PSA L M 6 8 :5 | Father to the fatherless, defender of widows. . . . (See note on page 513.)
God has a special place in his heart for those who are lonely or abandoned.
What did Jesus think of children?
• MAT T H E W 1 8 :2 -3 | Jesus called a little child to him. . . . Then he said, “I tell you the truth,
unless you turn from your sins and become like little children, you will never get into the
Kingdom of Heaven.”
Entering heaven and greatness in heaven are keyed to childlikeness. Jesus thought childhood extremely important to attach such significance to it.
• MA R K 1 0 :1 6 | Then he took the children in his arms and placed his hands on their heads
and blessed them.