Thursday, September 15, 2005

Care Enough to Discipline

Lets be honest. It takes loads of time, effort and more to hold students accountable to a standard. Yes, the parents have the primary responsibility to do this in the life of their child, yet as teachers we can reinforce or even stand in the gap. Your discipline is a function of your love for that student.

"My son, do not despise the Lord's discipline or be weary of his reproof, for the Lord reproves him whom he loves, as a father the son in whom he delights. (Proverbs 3:11-12) The word love here is Aheb which according to Richards Expository Dictionary is given as the motive for Gods choice of and continuing commitment to Israel. Do we have a continuing commitment to our students which translates into our being diligent in setting and keeping standards?

Eli was an example in the Bible of one who did not have this commitment. Eli knew his sons were in sin, but he refused to correct or hold them to standards. In I Samuel 3:13, notice Eli's lack of restraining his sons: "And I declare to him that I am about to punish his house forever, for the iniquity that he knew, because his sons were blaspheming God, and he did not restrain them." This lack of love through not keeping God's standards brought judgment not only upon himself but to his family as well.

Look at how clearly this point is made in Scripture: "And have you forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons? My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor be weary when reproved by him. For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives." (Hebrews 12:5,6)

Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent. (Revelation 3:19)

You are VERY loving when you set and keep standards for your students.

May God's grace and peace be with you,
Mark Strohm, Jr