Ideas and Guidelines for Parents and Teachers
By: Warren Graham
Proverbs 3:11-12 “My son, do not despise the LORD’s discipline, and do not resent His rebuke, because the LORD disciplines those whom He loves, as a father the son he delights in.”
Discipline
Today is a hot day. You are thirsty…and I have a bucket full of cold water. You want to drink, and I want to let you drink. Therefore, you put your head back and I will lift the bucket and pour water straight from the bucket into your mouth. Will you drink? Yes…but what else will happen? You’ll get wet! A lot of water will be spilled and wasted. What could have helped us to effectively use the water in the best way so that the water would neither be wasted nor totally drench you? We are missing a cup.
We have a message to pass on to the kids who take part in our activities, camps, classes in Sunday/Shabbat school and at home. We are given the opportunity to help the children understand the importance of personal faith in Yeshua the Messiah and receiving Him as savior. We are able to present them with a different lifestyle than that which is being taught in schools and in neighborhoods which is a society of non-believers. The message is similar to the cold water in the bucket.
Tools
Just as the cup most effectively helps us use the water in the bucket, there are tools that help us pass on the message to the children in the most effective way. These tools include studying God’s Word, games, personal conversations with the children and discipline.
“Discipline?” you ask. “How did discipline get on the list of tools?”
Discipline is a tool that empowers the effectiveness of the rest of the tools- it is one of the most important tools for success in life, the lessons of life and the lives of each and every one of us.
In Proverbs 3:11-12 we are taught the utmost importance of discipline. The Word of God teaches us the appropriate way to act, and we are to teach our children these ways. The process may not be easy, but the results stay with the children throughout their entire lives. (Hebrews 12:11)
The Meaning of Discipline
It is our duty to teach our children to distinguish between right and wrong. They do not know this by themselves. We are to put clear boundaries and according to them the children will know how they are to act. Within these boundaries, we are to allow the children the opportunity to function freely, because we are not dictators. Excessive rigidity causes the child frustration and a non-cooperative will, “because it is impossible to please you.”
It is important to remember the message that we are trying to pass on to the children when we are using authority, and it is: “I care about you; I care enough about you that I will not let you do anything that is not for your own good – not now and not in the future.”
Regarding deciding the boundary lines
1. Boundaries help us define the right lifestyle.
2. These boundaries are to be made according to the values of God’s Word.
3. We are to address the children to act according to boundaries drawn.
4. We are to help the children act according to the boundaries.
5. We are to correct children who cross those boundaries.
6. We are to punish a child who constantly crosses those boundaries.
How to maintain your ground
1. Make sure the children know the class rules which are to be obeyed. Write them and hang them in a place that they may be seen. Read them daily, as long as the children need to be reminded of them.
2. Correct discipline requires of us not to stop requiring the child to do/act in specific ways.
3. Correct discipline requires patience.
4. Correct discipline requires perseverance.
5. Significant discipline requires us to have a personal connection with the children.
6. It is important to understand children and their problems. When they do something good, encourage them with a good word.
7. Be real with your reactions towards children; they easily identify the authenticity of encouragement.
If the child doesn’t want to obey the rules
1. Remind the child of the rules with the help of the other kids in class.
2. Seat the child in a place where he or she will not be a distraction to others (for example in the back row behind the other kids).
3. Give the child opportunities to be your helper. Guide them to positive behavior.
4. Have the problematic child leave the class only in extreme situations where the child is unwilling to participate. In this case, the child is to be sent back to his parents, so that he will not be on his own.
Examples for important general rules in the class:
1. Respect the teacher and other classmates with your speech.
2. Obey the teacher at all times.
3. Raise your hand when you wish to speak.
4. Keep your hands and legs to yourself.
Main Editor: Dvora Nevaldiyan
Graphic Design: Medallion Staff
Editor: Tal Fastman
The Publisher: Hotzaat Medallion
Phone: 052-2217387
Email: mdlln@netvision.net.il
This post is also available in: Hebrew