Scripture Text: Hebrews 12:5-14
Memory Verse: But if you are without chastening, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate and not sons. Hebrews 12:8
Lesson Aim: Identify various methods of correction and discipline that God uses and find application for the family.
Key Points - The purpose of cor-rection is not to make life miserable but to reform us, improve us and bring us up to God’s standard. - God disciplines us in order to bring us back into right relationship with Him. - We must learn to use God’s methods of cor- rection effectively with our families.
The family is the training ground for the skills that we need in the outside world. It is also a powerful tool that God uses to make and mold us (and sometimes break us) into what He wants us to be. How we develop in our families will affect how we function in the outside world. However, dealing with the practicalities of correction in our earthly families remains challenging. In Hebrews 12:5-11, Paul uses the analogy of the earthly family to describe what goes on between us and God. What does it mean to correct and discipline? How does God discipline and how can we use various methods of discipline properly?
When we think of correction and discipline, most of the time we think of punishment. Other words that come to mind would be “chasten”, “chastise”, “rebuke”, “reprove”. These words as used in the original King James version of the Bible carry various shades of meaning, from guidance and instruction to infliction of severe punishment. The purpose of correction and discipline is not to make life miserable but to reform us, improve us and bring us up to God’s standard.
God is not interested in inflicting the pain of punishment on us merely as some form of a divine cruel joke. God is merciful and He has established laws that govern us. The Father has given us boundaries (laws and principles) and promises. Obedience brings blessings. Disobedience results in curses. Discipline is really about shaping behavior, not punishment. Self-discipline is ultimately what God desires of us.
Likewise, there should be principles and guidelines in every family. It is called structure. Spouses need to be respected. Parental authority and the personhood of each member of the family should be respected. Verbal and physical abuse cannot be excused under the guise of discipline. God does not abuse, neither should we.
Let’s look at some of the ways God disciplines and corrects us. Sometimes He may gently instruct us through the Word or firmly guide us by His Spirit in the way we should go. Other times it may be a tough love verbal rebuke through His prophets (as He often did with Israel). He may even allow us to experience the pain of defeat or devastation and bondage. However, God is love and with whatever method He uses to discipline us His ultimate desire is to bring us back into right relationship with Him, a relationship characterized by reverence and obedience to Him.
As parents, we represent God to our families. The challenge for us today is to learn how to effectively use God’s methods with our families.
Questions and Discussion
- Why is correction and discipline necessary? Revelation 3:19; Hebrews 12:5-11; Proverbs 22:15
- What form of discipline is represented in the following Scriptures? Psalms 32:8-9; Galatians 3:24-25; Proverbs 22:6; Deuteronomy 6:6-9
- In the 2nd and 3rd chapters of Revelation, note how God disciplines the seven churches of Asia. How can we apply this principle in the family?
- Consider the following Scriptures: 2 Samuel 12:1-15; Titus 1:13; 2:15. How would we characterize this form of discipline?
- There are times when God allows us to suffer the pain of disobedience and its consequences. How is this a form of discipline? Deuteronomy 28:15-25; 2 Samuel 12:10-23; 1 Corinthians 10:5-11
- Does corporal punishment fit into one of the languages of love? Proverbs 22:15; 23:13-14; Numbers 12:10.