Monday, December 15, 2008

Teach the Gospel Through Discipline

I recently read these two entries on the blog of a man I greatly respect and admire, Dr. Russell Moore. In them, he addresses the issue of parental discipline and how it provides an opportunity to teach our children the gospel. They're a good read:

http://www.russellmoore.com/?p=1572
http://www.russellmoore.com/?p=1588

Here are some significant quotes from them that made me think (if you don't have time to read the whole thing):

"A parent disciplining a child, for instance, communicates to the child the discipline and judgment of God in ways deeper and more resonant than any Sunday school lesson (Heb 12:5-11). A parent who will not discipline a child for disobedience, or who is inconsistent in doing so, is teaching that child not to expect consequences for behavior....In short, a parent who will not discipline is denying the doctrine of hell....At the same time, a parent who disciplines in anger or with harshness teaches a judgment of God that is capricious and unjust. An abusive parent, worst of all, ingrains in a child’s mind a picture of God as a ruthless devil who cannot be trusted to judge justly."

"Parental discipleship and discipline ought always to have repentance and restoration in view, picturing a God who is both just and the justifier (Rom 3:26). Discipline should be swift and fair with quick reconciliation between parent and child. Long periods of 'time out' do not communicate the discipline of God; they communicate the isolation and exile of hell."

"If 'time out' in your house is a tool to prompt thinking, while the child waits for swift discipline and restoration, then have at it. If 'time out' is a means of punishing the child by removing him from the fellowship of his family, then you’re removing him from the very means of discipleship he (and we) so desperately need."

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These are interesting thoughts--especially the ones about time-outs. I'll admit I haven't really evaluated time-out as a means of discipline in the home, but I think he makes some good points with his argument about not using time-out as a primary and extended means of isolating children in punishment. Anybody disagree? Agree? Let me know your thoughts.

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