Back Seat Problems

Introduction: Whether you are an adult or a child, you have probably experienced Back Seat Problems - These Phrases may seem to be familiar - “Are we their yet?” “Mom, Johnny’s hogging the 3DS?” “Can you stop doing that, I am trying to sleep.” “Stop, Kicking the chair.” “Janice keeps poking me.” “Janice, don’t touch your brother.” “I’m not touching you.” “Dad, I need to go to the bathroom.” “What, we just stopped, why didn’t you go then, like I asked you to.” Here is a picture of a father of triplets who wanted to take care of the backseat problems.

-On a Family Vacation these are opportunities to develop patience.

-How does discipline help disciple our kids?

Disciples follow Christ in the harshest environments.

Hebrew’s is a book encouraging Christians to persevere in their Faith in Christ, because he is superior to all that went before him.

In Chapter 11 - The Author completes a list of Faith Heros to point out that they trusted in God’s promise, they endured hardship or even death for that promise, even though they had not received it yet.

So he wants to encourage believers in Jesus, that if they are able to persevere, and they did not have the fulfillment of Jesus, and we do, how much more we can persevere in our faith as these heroes of old encourage us to do.

He turns then to the O.T. to remind his readers the purpose of hardship in a believers Life. God uses hardship as discipline to grow us in Holiness, Christ-likeness, because, “Get this, He loves us and wants the best for us” So then he uses parental discipline as an analogy.

This Analogy however, can be helpful in seeing how a parent can be used by God.

Discipline develops disciples of Christ.

Discipline Defined: the practice of training people to obey rules or a code of behavior, using punishment to correct disobedience.

Root etymonline.com - From Latin disciplina "instruction given, teaching, learning, knowledge," also "object of instruction, knowledge, science, military discipline," from discipulus "pupil, student, follower" (see disciple (n.)).

What is the goal of discipline?

In a positive sense, the father’s responsibility (in Greco-roman and Hebrew culture) was to train his son in such a way that he was well prepared for adulthood. This training often involved correction and punishment, but the goal was to help the child develop character and Wisdom. - George H. Guthrie (The NIV Application Commentary)

Definition of Discipleship: “One who is intentionally following Jesus, becoming like Jesus, and living like Jesus in community with others on mission.” (The Missional Journey; also see Logan’s The Discipleship Difference)

With these definitions of discipline and discipleship, How would you say that good healthy discipline contributes to developing disciples of Jesus?

It focuses on the becoming and living like Jesus in community with others

It helps to develop the “fruit of righteousness” vs 11b “Share in God’s holiness” vs10b - In short “The fruit of the Spirit.”

What is a parents role in this?

What should our motive be for discipline, what should they not be, and what difference does it make?

What is the Holy Spirits role?

How can we as parents help point our kids to God’s discipline which is perfect from our discipline which may have good direction, but ultimately is inferior to God’s?

Communication vs. the “rod” - How do you strike a balance between communication and setting clear limits and correction?

1. “If you focus exclusively on either the rod or communication, you will be like a ship with all the cargo loaded on one side. You won’t sail very well. Communication and the rod are not stand-alone methods. They are designed to work together. This is the point of Hebrews 12:5-6…Your children need to be known and understood—thus rich communication is necessary. They also need authority. They need limits that are clear and correction that is predictable—thus the rod is necessary.” (Tedd Tripp, Shepherding A Child’s Heart, 116).

A Reason this passage suggests that God Disciplines us is because of his love for us as his children. Discipline has the danger of teaching our kids that God wants us to simply be good, and our goodness will make us acceptable to God, which is not the Gospel. How can we communicate the Gospel and God’s Grace (unmerited favor) while we discipline our kids?

What are some ideas you have for healthy discipline that develops the next generation as disciples of Christ?

What is the next generations role in discipline?

One of the most important concepts in influencing others is to model and mentor. How can we as adults and parents be good models for what it means to be disciplined by God?