Bible Material for Children February 25, 2008
Posted by Erin in : Blogroll, Links, Recommendations , add a commentJoe,
I wanted to post this link with notes from a lecture on Bible Material for Children. It is from The Children’s Hour blog, which is found over on the right under Blogroll. It has some great recommendations for books and other resources for kids.
Reading with you and our kids,
Erin
Diligent Discipline, Part 2 February 24, 2008
Posted by Joe in : General Lessons , add a commentJoe,
Thanks for getting us going again! And a great topic to get us started on, since it is one we have both been thinking about a lot lately it seems.
As I was thinking about diligent discipline, two things came to mind. First of all, why is it that we are not more diligent. And secondly, if we are diligent, what fruit can be seen from it.
As far as why we are not more diligent, I am sure there are numerous areas of sin I could point to in myself that would produce a lack of discipline in the kids, but I will just hit upon one. Something I have been seeing a lot in myself lately is an idol of comfort and ease. And when it comes to disciplining the kids in a godly way, comfort and ease are not something that are going to be served! It takes effort and time to truly discipline the kids in a way that honors the Lord. I am always looking for the quick and easy fix in my life. That is really the only reason that I will go to using a harsh voice or a quick threat. I want the kids just change their behavior quickly, instead of taking the time to address the heart issue and give the appropriate discipline.
I know we have much more to say on this topic, so maybe we can think more on this in the next week or so.
Desiring to grow in diligence and die to the easy way,
Erin
Diligent Discipline February 21, 2008
Posted by Joe in : General Lessons , add a commentErin,
It’s time for us to get going again don’t you think? Well, I know you think that. After all, we live with one another and have already talked about it! I think our plan of each making one post a week is a good one. Let’s go for it. Lord knows, we have had plenty of material build up over the last few months!
Here is a quick reminder for us: when we put our comfort ahead of our children’s good, everyone loses in the end.
I say this primarily for myself here, because I need consistent reminders to keep our kids’ highest joy in view. When Abby or Elijah disobeys in even the slightest way, I have a choice. I can either discomfort myself and discipline them (something I don’t usually feel like doing). Or I can let it go and remain comfortable with my book (or whatever).
As is always the case with sin, however, if I choose to remain comfortable for the moment, things are bound to get worse for me in the end. This is definitely true with children is it not? If we let little acts of disobedience remain untouched, those little acts get worse and worse until we have a really big problem on our hands. As always, diligence in discipline is needed. Let us pray for much grace and encourage one another as we seek to love our children by addressing all that needs to be addressed, when it needs to be addressed. After all, it’s for their good, our good, everyone else’s good, and the glory of our great God.
Seeking to be diligent with you,
Joe