note yet another agricultural metaphor.) Explain how this goal is the adult version of the “rescue and restoration mission to return your child back to God’s circle of safety.” 4. What are some differences, in both intent and method, between restorative and merely punitive discipline? Explain why disciplining in anger and impatience always tends to be punitive. What are some necessary and effective steps to prevent slipping into punitive action when restorative is needed? 5. “When the child acts in foolishness, God attaches a painful physical consequence, because a child understands that.” Must parental discipline be in some way painful? Re-read the final verse in the Hebrews passage above. Is God’s discipline painful? If our discipline does not cause some degree of pain, is it godly? 6. Read aloud the following Proverbs: 13:24, 22:15, 23:13-14, 29:15 . Does this reading support the statement that “the rod is the primary tool God has established for parental discipline”? Is shifting, arbitrary contemporary culture—whether outside or inside the church—a God-ordained standard of faith and practice? Does God command you to spank your children? Do you spank your children? 7. Spanking must only be administered “when there has been a direct, clear rebellion to authority. Don’t discipline a child for being a child.” Remembering that the heart is your target , discuss the attitudes and resulting actions that clearly constitute rebellion. Talk about the sometime difficulty you have had in distinguishing rebellion from merely child folly. 8. For each of these steps in a proper spanking, identify and explain the root importance: Get hold of your own heart; take the child to a private place; interview your child and explain that rebellion is what has brought this on; use your hand or a small paddle; hug and pray to Jesus at the close. 9. How often will this protocol be convenient ? But is it nevertheless necessary ? How Did It Go Last Week? Share your successes and trials with the group. (10 minutes) Were you able to spot responses and excuses that showed your child was not submitting to your rule in their heart? How did you deal with these instances? How is your memorization of the Ten Commandments proceeding? How has this caused you to think more about them as you go through your day? Discuss difficulties in keeping regular family devotions.
Session 6
GETTING TO THE HEART OF PARENTING
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