Page 101 - Family Life Student Textbook

Study Section 17: Biblical Parenting (Part 2)

4.2 Connect

My folks used to describe how their parents disciplined them when they were kids. They told us
that if they got in trouble in school and perhaps got a spanking, they also got another one at home.
The told us that their mom would save up the disciple until papa got home. He would take them
out behind the woodshed, cut a switch off the tree, and lay into their bottom side.

My parents disciplined differently. My mother purchased a beaded belt from the Navajo Indians. When my
sister and I got into trouble, she used to always give us SIX wacks with the beaded belt, which left welts on
our rear end. It was a very effective way to curtail our sin natures, believe me!

Today we are continuing our study of the importance of parenting the Bible way. Of course, included in that
responsibility is discipline. Let’s get started….

4.2 Objectives

1. The student should be able to describe our roles as parents

2. The student should be able to explain how important teaching children responsibility is.

3. The student should be able to explain through discipline, that the goal of parenting is to help
their children become independent of their guidance and correction.

17.3 Biblical Parenting

Three roles of a parent:

1) Guardian:

Galatians 4:2 “The heir is subject to guardians and trustees until the time set by his
father.”

We use boundaries to perform this function. We will look at the aspect of setting boundaries in more detail
later on in this lesson. We want to provide the child with a safe environment for learning and gaining
wisdom. We need to balance freedom and limits as the child grows older.

2) Manager:

A manager make sure things get done and that goals are reached. Children are not born with self discipline,
therefore, we need to use other discipline to make sure the child obeys. Children need to learn to do tasks
on hand important for their growth. For example, we can give timelines to our children to teach them to
take care of belongings and perform jobs. We can outline what will happen if they fail to carry out these
responsibilities. Then we need to stick to the consequences that we have promised if they don’t carry out
those jobs.
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