Romans 5:8 shows that: …God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Christ also said in – Hebrews 13:5: …I will never leave you nor forsake you… Generally speaking—when young people know their parents love them; they will be more likely to re - spond positively to correction. Discipline is key Failure to discipline dooms a child’s future.A parent’s discipline should be modeled after God’s loving cor - rection (Hebrews 12:5-8). Proverbs 19:18 instructs parents to: Chasten your son while there is hope, and let not your soul spare for his crying [KJV] And in Proverbs 13:24 it states: He who spares his rod hates his son, but he who loves him disci - plines him promptly.
The word “discipline” means “to teach.” Parents must make the rules for their children clear, fair, and consistent. The punishment should fit the crime. Parents should never accept unacceptable behavior— such as a child throwing a temper tantrum, screaming, or hitting. Such actions deserve swift punish - ment! Children need to learn to face the consequences of their actions. In the book of Lamentations 3:27 it states: It is good for a man to bear the yoke in his youth. It is work to discipline children but it will pay off in the long run. It must not go unmentioned that discipline for wrong acts or attitudes should never involve pushing, or slapping on the face, kicking or hitting near vital organs or any other physically damaging action. God hates child abuse! In administering discipline remember that correction should be done in love with the child’s best in - terests in mind! Spend quality time It has been said, “To help your chil - dren turn out well, spend twice as
much time with them and half as much money.” Parents must have their priorities straight. Here’s some advice, “Make a list of 25 things you want to experi- ence with your family before you die. And refer to it often.” Check them off the list as they are complet - ed. This is one simple way to build family memories. Young people need activity! They are full of energy. It is a parent’s re- sponsibility to direct this energy. If family and Church activities are not provided—young people will go elsewhere to find them. Send kids to camp! One of the main reasons the Church of God has developed an elaborate summer camp program is to bring godly kids together and have fun! Godly children should know that they don’t have to do wrong things to have fun! That they do not have to sin to have fun. It is true sinning is tempting—and it is often exciting and seems fun or pleasurable at the time but the consequences that fol - low can be devastating! Real fun, true fun—should be fun today, and fun tomorrow, and fun the day af- ter that. There are no curses for this kind of fun. Kids need to be challenged, tested, pushed to their limits in order to grow. That’s how everyone grows. Even babies like to grab things just beyond their reach. Sometimes peo - ple need a little push to go down the Big Slide. On the other hand— Christians should not be careless, or involved in dangerous or risky activities with a high likelihood of causing serious injury or death! As in every aspect of life—balance is key.
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