Read
6 Teach your children
right from wrong,
and when they are grown
they will still do right.
15All children are foolish,
but firm correction
will make them change.
15Correct your children,
and they will be wise;
children out of control
disgrace their mothers.
16Crime increases
when crooks are in power,
but law-abiding citizens
will see them fall.
17If you correct your children,
they will bring you peace
and happiness.
Reflect
As I write this the United States just won the Women’s World Cup of Soccer. I am always struck by the irony of thousands of undisciplined fans cheering wildly for a team of athletes who have had to undergo years of disciplined practice, exercise and self-control. These are people who have submitted to regular sacrifice and disciplined preparation for a common goal, while their rowdy fans drink lots of beer, avoid exercise themselves, yet take pride in their team when it wins!
No coach apologizes for putting his players through grueling workouts, repetitive practice and recurring reminders of the strategies that will best help his team and players reach their goal. In a word, coaches discipline their players. Yet in the rest of life, we shun discipline like the plague. And this includes parenting. We don’t want our children to have to work hard for things like we did, so we give them so much that when they grow older, they develop a sense of entitlement that baffles their bosses. The Teacher reminds us that like a good coach, we need to teach our children the way they should go and then they will not depart from it. If we don’t teach our children discipline then they will not learn to live wisely. Indeed where there is no discipline one finds evil, chaos, and sin. Where there is discipline there is wisdom and happiness (29:15-17).
In a world that values ease over work, instant gratification over earned rewards and instant success over sacrifice, we do well to encourage each other to learn discipline. Then we can really enjoy the fruits of sacrifice, practice and hard work and experience the joy that comes from the way of wisdom.
Respond
Lord, teach me to be a person of discipline in my own life. May I also encourage those around me that there is a way of wisdom that involves hard work and sacrifice – discipline. May we be a people that bring one another joy because we have worked hard for a higher calling. May your Spirit enable us to be a disciplined family that stands out in an undisciplined world. For your glory we pray, Amen.
Bill Taylor
Bill Taylor has been the Executive Director of the Evangelical Free Church since 2008. He previously serviced as pastor of Saskatoon Evangelical Free Church followed by District Superintendent of the Alberta Parkland District. He is a member of the National Mission LeadershipTeam, the International Mission Leadership Team and the Ministerial Standing Committee. He represents the Free Church on various Boards and Committees in Canada, the USA and overseas. Bill and his wife, Deb, have two daughters and one son-in-law. Publications: “From Childhood to Adolescence” - the history of the Evangelical Free Church of Canada from 1984 to 2005.