Christian Discipline Starts With
Our Foundation In the Lord

When embarking on Christian discipline, a firm foundation in God's Word is essential.

Our children are precious gifts from God, we have been entrusted to raise them in the Lord.

But, we are not alone.

God's Word has lots to say about raising kids! Especially in regards to discipline.

I hope you enjoy these notes from Pastor Craig Castor of Family Discipleship Ministries. They are so good! :o)

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Christian Discipline - Parenting is a Ministry

Parents are ministers over their children.

What is a minister? (Webster's Dictionary)

~ One who acts under the orders of another or who is employed by another to execute his purposes.

~ To adjust, regulate, or set in order.

Jesus Christ set the example - Matthew 20:28: "Just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many."

A minister is a servant



Christian Discipline and God's Purposes For Parents

1. Our Transformation

1 John 2:5 "But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him."

Our children are God's fingers to reshape us. He has a purpose for the trials we face.

2. God's Glorification

1 Corinthians 6:20 "For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God's."

Matthew 5:16 "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven." (emphasis added)

3. To Love Our Children

Psalm 127:3 "Behold, children are a gift of the Lord, the fruit of the womb is a reward."

Our children's value is based upon God's Word.

4. To Train Our Children

Ephesians 6:4 "And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord."

definition - "bring them up" - to raise to maturity, to train and educate.

Our Strong Foundation -
Essential To Christian Discipline

Matthew 6:33 "But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you."

"As ministers, our first priority must be to fulfill God's will."

"We accomplish this by daily putting everything in perspective and prioritizing our life according to what God says is important, in order to fulfill His purpose in and through us. We must look to Him daily for strength to accomplish this task."

Our Spiritual Foundation -
Luke 6:46-49 " But why do you call Me 'Lord, Lord,' and do not do the things which I say?

"Whoever comes to Me, and hears My sayings and does them, I will show you whom he is like:

"He is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. And when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently against that house, and could not shake it, for it was founded on the rock.

"But he who heard and did nothing is like a man who built a house on the earth without a foundation, against which the stream beat vehemently; and immediately it fell. And the ruin of that house was great."

So, The Ingredients Of A Strong Foundation are...

1. "Comes to me" - accepting Jesus as Lord.

2. "Hears my sayings" - spend time with Jesus, pray and read His Word.

3. "Does them" - obey and apply His Word in our life.

Lamentations 3:40 "Let us examine our ways and test them, and let us return to the LORD." (NIV)

Christian Discipline and "Loving Communication"

1 Corinthians 13:4-8 "Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails..."

Christian Discipline - What Love Is NOT

These explanations are quoted from Pastor Craig Caster.

1. Love is not impatient.

"Impatience is putting selfish or unrealistic expectations on our children or hurrying them beyond their capabilities."

See Galatians 5:22.

2. Love is not unkind.

"Unkindness is getting angry, yelling, judging, or comparing, and not accepting your children's failures or mistakes."

See Romans 12:10.

3. Love does not envy

"Parental jealousy or envy can result when parents have had a painful childhood and their children have it easier, or when a child's accomplishments have surpassed those of their parents."

See James 3:17-18.

4. Love does not parade itself or brag.

"It is never appropriate to try to impress our children with how great or wise we are, or to belittle them in order to show them how important we are, saying things such as, "I had it a lot harder when I was your age."

See Proverbs 27:2 and 2 Corinthians 10:18.

5. Love is not puffed up or arrogant.

"We are a team pulling together, not dictators ruling over our children with brutality and fear."

See 1 Peter 5:3 and Proverbs 28:25.

6. Love does not behave rudely or act unbecoming.

"DO NOT purposefully embarrass or demean your children by discussing their failures or shortcomings in the presence of others."

See Ephesians 4:29.

7. Love does not seek to have its own way.

"Insisting that your children and family do only what you want to do."

See 1 Corinthians 10:24 and Galatians 5:13.

8. Love does not think evil.

"Love does not keep score of our children's failures or mistakes, and then beat them over the head with them when an opportunity arises."

See Ephesians 4:32.

9. Love does not rejoice in unrighteousness.

"Telling our children, "I told you so, you deserve what you got," when they fall in sin or experience consequences from their sin."

See Proverbs 14:9.

10. Not rejoicing in the truth.

"Failing to praise our children for their good deeds."

See Romans 12:9 and 3 John 1:4.

11. Not bearing all things.

"Avoiding, criticizing, or neglecting your child because he/she failed to meet your expectations."

See Galatians 6:2

12. Not believing or hoping all things.

"Constantly doubting what your child says before you know all the facts."

See Romans 5:5 and Jeremiah 29:11.

13. Not enduring all things.

"To endure means to last or tolerate. Parenting is hard work."

And, so is Christian discipline - but it's definitely worth it!

See Matthew 20:28 and 1 Corinthians 13:8.

Additional verses to build loving communication with Christian Discipline...

See Colossians 3:21, Proverbs 15:1, and Ephesians 4:29-31.

The Ingredients of Loving Communication

1. Loving communication begins with the heart

See Matthew 15:18 and Matthew 12:35.

2. Loving communication is based upon the value we place on another person.

See Psalm 127:3

3. Loving communication is a learned skill.

See Proverbs 15:28 and Proverbs 16:23.

And, remember, our children are unique!

"God is the creator or the soul, the mind, will and emotions - our personalities."

Jeremiah 38:16 "...As the LORD lives, who made our very souls..."

God's Management Style for Christian Discipline

Training is Twofold...

1. Disciple your children - teach them the Word of God.

2. Raise them up to maturity - Discipline your children.

God established the authority. The husbands/fathers are to lead the home.

See 1 Corinthians 11:3 and Colossians 3:18-21.

From creation forward this order has been established: God > Man > Woman > Children.

Think of it this way...

Dad = President or Captain,

Mom = Vice President or Co-captain. :o)

And, also remember, "A wife is to submit to her husband's leadership unless his leadership is in conflict with specific scriptural commands."

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There is quite a bit that I have left out of these notes - there is just too much good stuff to cover!

If you like what you have read, please go to the Family Discipleship Ministries website

and order the full "Parenting is a Ministry" video series. It is chocked full of great information and practical tips on family ministry and Christian discipline.

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