Tag Archives: children

Broken Connection to Earth

…when Hercules had to do battle with him, Antaeus could be defeated only when his contact with his origin was broken. Then, of course, there is Oedipus, whose name means “lame foot,” indicating a problematic contact with the earth…in education our link with the origins of life is not only a contact with the sacred texts that lie at the origin of truth in life, but also with those human beings who have newly entered life, with children…for the learned men of Wannsee, children were primary targets for extermination…in the Midrash on Psalms we are told that at Sinai God asked “the sucklings and the embryos: ‘Will you be sureties for your fathers, so that if I give them the Torah they will live by it, but that if they do not, you will be forfeited because of them?’ They replied: ‘Yes’”…thus we see what, according to Jewish tradition, is at stake in our adherence to the sacred texts that underlie the highest in higher education. And we see what was lost in the miscarriage of education manifested at Wannsee.
–David Patterson

True or False: Discipline Should Be Minimal

depends how you define “discipline”; it should be consistent in whatever loving form it takes

What is the purpose of discipline? When is it necessary to discipline a child?

  • Poverty and shame, in one form or another, is the result of a lack of discipline.

    • Poverty and shame will come to him who neglects discipline, But he who regards reproof will be honored. – Proverbs 13:18

  • Righteousness and peace result from biblical discipline.

    • Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as his children. For what children are not disciplined by their father? If you are not disciplined—and everyone undergoes discipline—then you are not legitimate, not true sons and daughters at all. Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of spirits and live! They disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, in order that we may share in his holiness. No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it. – Hebrews 12:7-11

  • Discipline is applied when disobedience occurs

    • Do not withhold discipline from a child; if you punish them with the rod, they will not die. Punish them with the rod and save them from death. – Proverbs 23:13-14

      Whoever spares the rod hates their children, but the one who loves their children is careful to discipline them. – Proverbs 13:24

      When the sentence for a crime is not quickly carried out, people’s hearts are filled with schemes to do wrong. – Ecclesiastes 8:11

      Folly is bound up in the heart of a child, but the rod of discipline will drive it far away. – Proverbs 22:15

      Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. – Ephesians 6:1

      …the Lord disciplines those he loves, as a father the son he delights in. – Proverbs 3:12

      …we are being disciplined so that we will not be finally condemned with the world. – 1 Corinthians 11:32

True or False: There’s no One Right Way to Raise Kids

depends what you mean by “right way”…

25. What are important biblical guidelines for Christian parents to follow in training up their children?

  • Live a godly example.

    • As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. – Ephesians 4:1-3

  • Be a diligent instructor

    • Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates. – Deuteronomy 6:5-9

  • Provide consistent discipline

    • Discipline your children, for in that there is hope; do not be a willing party to their death. – Proverbs 19:18

  • Do not exasperate them, but rather train them in God’s wisdom

    • Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord. – Ephesians 6:4