Session 4 Target the Heart, Part II
FOR GROUP PARTICIPATION These elements of the study are best used with others in a group setting.
And God Said… Read aloud Luke 6:39-42 . What is the Point? Read these statements aloud and keep them in mind during the video (5 minutes) • Lasting change in a child’s heart begins with their acknowledgement and confession of sin. • Children, like adults, are often blind to their sin and must be assisted in seeing it. • To deal with a child’s sin, parents must begin by addressing the sin in their own hearts. Petition Pray this together aloud. God our Father, the Great Physician who gives sight to the spiritually blind, open our eyes to our impatience and anger when we discipline our children, and change us rather to lovingly discipline, and to graciously help them see their sin, so that we all may confess to the one who freed us from sin, Jesus our Savior. Amen. Hear the Word 1. “ Confession is owning personal responsibility for my sinful words and behavior without excuse or blaming others.” Read aloud Psalm 32:1-5 and 1 John 1:8-10 . What is the clear consequence of denying or “keeping silent” about our sin? On the other hand, what are the two eternal benefits of confessing our sin to the Lord? Why do our children tend to choose the former action? Why then do we tend to choose the former action? How can assessing our own reluctance to confess help us deal gently with our children toward their acknowledgement and confession? 2. In addition to denying sin, children—and adults—suffer from spiritual blindness and often cannot see their sin, and they cannot confess what they don’t see. “One of your main goals is to be an instrument of seeing—you must help your children to see themselves accurately.” Is lecturing an effective strategy for achieving this goal? Do you respond well to lecturing? What are some specific, practical ways to break yourself of the habit of lecturing your children? Briefly discuss more effective options for opening their eyes (and hearts) to their sin. Watch the video. (30 minutes) Let's Talk About That Discuss these questions. (30 minutes)
3. Toward this goal, Tripp suggests an ordered series of five questions. Why is the order important,
Session 4
GETTING TO THE HEART OF PARENTING
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