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"TRAIN UP A CHILD..."
V. WHO IS IN CONTROL? (Heb. 12:5-11; 1 Tim. 3:4-5)
- During the "childhood" of a child, someone is in control -- either
the parents or the children. God wants parents, not only to provide for their children but, also, to control, direct,
teach, and train their children. What is being promoted today as "children's rights" is a falsehood that
flies in the face of God's word.
- There are many more cases of child abuse than are ever reported. To think of a helpless
child being beaten or being sexually abused arouses my anger more than any injustice. However, our culture has
over reacted and a "permissive" segment sees any physical discipline as child abuse. Granting that a
permissive philosophy about child training comes from genuine concern, that philosophy has promoted a generation
of undisciplined and uncontrolled children -- children who are selfish and who have no concern for anyone's desires
but their own. It is imperative that children learn self control and the only way they are going to learn that
is to be taught that they cannot do whatever they want to do. Respect for authority and the rights of others must
be impressed upon them -- that is not something that comes naturally.
- Be assured that if you do not get control and maintain control of your children when
they are young, you will never have control!
QUESTIONS
- The Hebrew writer argues that to be without chastisement (discipline, or training) is
clear proof that we are _____________________ (12:8).
- According to Heb. 12:9, what is the purpose of our fathers? How are we to react to our
fathers
- What does the writer mean when he says, "For they verily for a few days chastened
us after their own pleasure..." (v. 10)
- Is chastening initially joyous or grievous (12:11)? What is its ultimate design
- According to Eph. 6:1, what is the responsibility of children? Is that just a responsibility
when the child wants to obey
- According to Eph. 6:4, what is the responsibility of the fathers
- Before an elder can be appointed, he must have demonstrated himself in character and
leadership. One very important qualification relates to his ruling his house -- "One that ruleth well his
own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity," (1 Tim. 3:4). Is this important only for fathers
who are elders
- What should fathers do when a child refuses to obey?
- List some specific ways in which a child may control his parents
- List some specific ways by which a parent can deal with a child's defiance
- Who is in control when a child successfully challenges the right of his parents to tell
him what to do?
[Outline] [Purpose] [Recommended Reading] [Introduction] [Lesson
I] [Lesson II] [Lesson III] [Lesson IV] [Lesson V] [Lesson VI] [Lesson VII] [Lesson VIII] [Lesson IX]
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