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Grace Bible Church

4000 E. Collins Rd.   P.O. Box #3762   Gillette, WY  82717   (307) 686-1516

 

- Preaching the Living WORD through the Written WORD - 2 Tim 4;:2 -

 

 

 

“AS FOR ME AND MY HOUSE, WE WILL SERVE THE LORD”

(2014 GBC THEME)

“CHRISTIAN HOME - 7”

(Pr 13:24; Pr 22:15; Pr 29:15) 3/23/14

Grace Bible Church, Gillette, Wyoming

Pastor Daryl Hilbert

 

I.     DISCIPLINE OF CHILDREN

 

A.    Parental Attitudes Towards Discipline

B.    Parental Actions of Discipline

7. (Cont.) Correction can include physical discipline (Pr 22:15; 13:24; 29:15).

a)    A “rod” (jb,ve shābet cf. tn<[,v.mi mēsheneth - staff) is a Shepherd’s club, a warrior’s club, laborer’s instrument. 

b)    A rod was a length of tree limb or bush stock, employed at first for support or weapon. It was fashioned distinctively for individual use, straight with a thick end [perhaps very much like walking sticks or walking canes] or with the shepherd’s crook.

(1)   It was used for  beating cumin (Isa 28:27, “club”, the synonymous Heb word for “rod” is hJ'm; mattah),

(2)   as a weapon (2Sam 23:21, “club”),

(3)   and as a shepherd's implement either  to muster or count sheep (Lev 27:32; Ezek 20:37),

(4)   In Psa 23:4 it is used metaphorically of the Lord's protection of his servant as he walks in paths of righteousness.

c)     The rod was also used as an instrument for either remedial or penal punishment.

(1)   As a  corrective instrument it was used for a slave (Exo 21:20),

Ex 21:20 "If a man strikes his male or female slave with a rod and he dies at his hand, he shall be punished.

(2)   It was suggested for the back of a fool (Pr 10:13; Pr  26:3),

(3)   It was used with reference to the Lord’s righteous King who will smite the  wicked with the "rod" of His mouth (Word) in judgment (Isa 11:4).

(4)   It was used for a disobedient child (Pr 13:24; Pr 22:15; Pr 29:15). In Proverbs, the rod was both literal and figurative as a symbol of discipline. Failure to correct and discipline children, could actually lead to a son or daughter’s death. (De 21:18-21 cf. Pr 19:18; 23:13-14). Today, we are not under the Law and put rebellious children to death. However, the grave importance and influence of discipline to children is very much exhorted by Scripture.

d)    Practical application of the board of education

(1)   First explain which rule was broken and remind them of the discipline.

(2)   Explain that in order to be a good parent, you have to obey God and follow through with discipline.

(3)   Never spank out of uncontrolled anger. Consider praying before spanking. Limit yourself to a few spanks.

(4)   The hand is probably the best method of spanking, though paddles of some sort could be used for bigger children.

(5)   Spank children where God has provided the most padding (seat of the pants). Test your spank on yourself so that you are not brutal or abusive.

(6)   Spank with enough pressure for it to be a future deterrent for the child.

(7)   Afterward the spanking, hug them and tell them you still love them. Encourage and reinforce them to comply with correct behavior, so that this discipline does not have to be repeated.

(8)   Teach your child to say, “I was wrong for _________, would you forgive me?” Verbally assure them of forgiveness.

(9)   When done correctly, spanking helps children grow in respect, obedience, and self-control. It is not child abuse. When done incorrectly, spanking can result in anger and bitterness. It can harm children emotionally and physically, and may be child abuse.

 

II.    PARENTING OLDER YOUTH

 

A.    As children get older, the parents’ role as counselor increases (Pr 23:22; Pr 6:20-23).

B.    What about homes that have not been Christian homes? (Ac 16:31)

1.     “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ”

a)    The imperative was to “believe on” (pisteuson epi) the Lord Jesus Christ. Faith is not a mere intellectual acknowledgement of the fact. Faith is an action of the heart reaching out , trusting in, and resting on Christ.

b)    It is specifically faith in the Lord Jesus Christ (Ac 4:12). One must understand who Christ is, namely God the Son (Jn 20:31), and understand that His atoning work on the cross (1Co 15:3-4).

2.     “You will be saved”

a)    All who believe on Christ are promised (“will be” sōthāsā, fut. pass. ind.) salvation, which is the forgiveness of sins and eternal life.

b)    Salvation is immediate upon faith exercised in Christ and it eternally secure (Jn 6:39; Jn10:28-29).

3.     “You and your household”

a)    This is not a promise that guarantees that a whole family will be saved after the father’s salvation. Rather, it is asserting that all in the household who also believe, will also be saved. It does not refer to infants who do not have the capacity to understand and believe.

b)    However, we often see a strong influence upon the children from the father or parents who come to Christ. Quite often, the whole household is subsequently saved. Salvation is the utmost priority within the home of all its members.

C.    Practical Advice

1.     The parents relationship with the Lord becomes the ultimate priority.

2.     Sometimes teenagers who have not been raised in a Christian home will not understand the sudden change. This becomes a great opportunity for dialogue and sharing your relationship with Christ. The parents begin a new teaching ministry (biblical) in the home.

3.     Teenagers in a new Christian home setting will often need to see a consistent way of life lived out before them as well as experience the blessings of Christian living.

4.     There may be some areas that were permitted before in a non-Christian home that will not be permitted in a Christian home. This will be an opportunity to explain that Christ and His Word are the reasons for the change in the home.

5.     Discipline with older teenagers may take a different form with the loss of privileges due to the new rules “under this roof.”

6.     Be prayerful, patient, and loving.

 

III.  CONCLUSION

 

A.    There is indeed a commitment that must be made by Christians. The initial commitment is to serve Christ pre-eminently as Lord while also avoiding Christian Idolatry. Throughout the Christian’s life there is a need to re-commit or re-dedicate his life to live for the Lord and to serve the Lord in the local church. Furthermore, a major part of the Christian’s commitment to serve the Lord is in reference to the home and raising children. In fact, it is this third commitment that can have the greatest impact in evangelizing the world and leaving a lasting spiritual legacy (Ps127:3-5).

B.    With this in mind, Joshua’s great statement and commitment in Jos 24:15 becomes one the greatest examples in Scripture. Joshua’s commitment separates a genuine commitment from a double-minded commitment; a true worshipful commitment from an misrepresented and idolatrous commitment, and a commitment that is a spiritual leadership from a commitment that shirks its divine responsibility.

C.    May Joshua’s commitment cause us to say, not only in 2014, but for our entire lives, “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”