STUDY 31        
9th Sunday after Trinity        
August 1, 2021
THEME: COVENANT WITH THE LIVING GOD
SUB-THEME 5: Principles for raising godly family (2)     
TOPIC: Discipline in a godly family
TEXT: Prov 13:24; 19:18; 23:13; 29:17; 2Tim 1:5; 3:15.

AIMS:                       
i.    to teach the importance of discipline in a godly family,
ii.    to distinguish discipline from punishment and cruelty

INTRODUCTION: Discipline is about living in obedience to God’s will and purpose. Many people find it difficult to live in obedience to God because they had never learned to obey their parents in the first place. People often equate discipline and punishment as the same thing, but they are not. A couple must be united and indeed be one together, with the disciplines they place around their family for safety and protection. Punishment only occurs when children flagrantly disobey what they have been clearly told by their parents to do, or not to do while cruelty is punishment that denies a child a second chance or devoid of mercy. If obedience is paramount in a family, there would hardly be any need for punishment.

STUDY GUIDE:
1.    Define discipline, punishment and cruelty in the light of Pr. 19:18; 22:15; 23:13; 29:15,17
2.    What is the benefit of a disciplined child? Pr. 10:1; 17:21,25; 29:17; 2Tim 3:15
3.    How can you explain the abuse of discipline? Prov 19:18b. 
4.    Mention some of the cruel methods applied today by either teachers in school or guardians who train or raise children. 

CONCLUSION: A disciplined child develops with wisdom and fear of God. Therefore, efforts should always be made to discipline children in godly ways with love and affection, devoid of cruelty and wickedness.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT: Discipline your child and reap the joy of peaceful old age.

MEMORY VERSE:  Prov 29:15 “The rod and reproof give wisdom: but a child left to himself bringeth his mother to shame”.