JED BREAKS BREAD

Training Objectives and Procedures for Teens

Why are the teen years so frustrating for parents? (The teens are asking, "Why are they so frustrating for me?!") 

During the teen years, parents need to recognize that a fundamental shift occurs in how they shepherd their children. The teen years are for helping your children learn how to use freedom responsibility and to apply the lessons of obedience and character which you've already taught them. 

The three training objectives come from Proverbs 1:7-10. 

Consider carefully the discussion on power vs. influence near the end of the episode when seeking to put these objectives into practice. 

Training Objectives and Procedures for Childhood

What is the parenting goal for children who are between the ages of 5-12? 

Primary Goal: Character Development

Subjects discussed include the importance of character development, how to train towards developing character, the definition and role of the conscience, and finally, 5 key truths to remember and implement. 

Training Procedures for the Early Years

Prescriptions and Precautions for using the rod of discipline. 

The importance of using Biblical communication with the rod. 

Precautions and problems to avoid when using the rod. 

Training Objectives for the Early Years

A bird's eye view of training objectives through the stages of childhood.

What is the circle of blessing (Eph. 6:1-3) and how do parents teach their children to live within it? How should parents respond when their children live outside of it? 

The critical component for parents in training their children to honor and obey is consistency. 

The Wise Use of the Rod

Proverbs says, "Whoever spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him is diligent to discipline him." (13:24)

What does the use of the rod look like for the Christian parent? How should it be employed and what are the limitations? Finally, there are three abuses of the rod that parents sometimes partake in - be careful not to do these!

Embracing Biblical Methods: The Rod

Why has the use of the rod fallen out of favor in our culture? 

What is God's purpose in commanding that parents use the rod in the correction of children? 

Rom. 5:12-18; Eph. 2:1-3, Proverbs 22:15, 23:13-14

What situations do parents encounter where they should NOT use the rod? 

Cultivating a Lifestyle of Communication

The four "expenses" that parents must be willing to pay to cultivate a life of communication?

The relation between authority and influence. For this discussion, authority is defined as what you can accomplish because you're bigger, faster, stronger, than your children. Influence is what you can accomplish because your child is willing to place himself under your authority. As your child gets older your authority (in this limited sense) decreases, while your influence should increase.  

Actual vs. Ideal Communication

What percentage of your communication with your children is "actual" (our normal pattern of communication) compared to the percentage which is "ideal" (according to God's standard)? 

Actual = focus is on communicating rules, correction, discipline

Ideal = all of the above + Rebuke, entreaty, encouragement, teaching, warning, instruction, and prayer.

Key passages: Deut. 6:7-13, 1 Cor. 13:4-7, Eph. 4:29

Implementing Biblical Methods - What is Your Process?

Today we discuss the philosophy about how to implement Biblical methods:

1. Cultivating the right mindset: proactive, focused on deep communication, a "long-term view," and a commitment that you are more like your child than unlike him. 

2. The two tools that the Bible gives for the process of shepherding: the rod and communication.

What Are Your Parenting Goals?

Have you ever taken a bird's eye view of your parenting goals? What are you hoping to accomplish through your education and training of your children? 

One of the challenges that Christians face is unconsciously cultivating unbiblical goals - due to pressures from society and culture. Today we examine several areas of life where Christians can have unbiblical goals and what the correct Biblical perspective in those areas should be.