Discipline your kids!

Titus 2 (The Message)

 ^1-6.... guide the young men to live disciplined lives.

One of the most important lessons we teach at school is discipline. I did not say the most important thing we do is discipline our students. There is a difference. We teach discipline in nearly every activity. We try to teach our athletes to be disciplined in nearly every sport. In football an athlete needs to be disciplined enough to concentrate on his own responsibilities and trust the others to do theirs. A basketball player needs to be disciplined to pass the ball around to find the best shot instead of "chucking" up the first shot they get. A Cross Country runner needs to be disciplined enough to pace themselves in order to get the best performance. In academics, students must be disciplined enough to work on projects and assignments as they are issued and not procrastinate. Students need to be disciplined enough to follow the rules in the best interest of orderliness.  Just like adults, some of our students are more disciplined than others. Depending how students are "raised" tells how they react to rules and regulations at school. Being disciplined is not natural. Discipline is something learned. That is why we are given instructions to teach the young men to live disciplined lives. As we mature and grow in experience, discipline becomes easier and easier. The best teaching experience is by example. A coach that tries to teach self control to his/her athletes, must be disciplined themselves. Teachers who spend time preparing an effective lesson are a great example for the students they teach.

Parents and adults who spend time studying scripture, attending worship, sharing their faith, and giving of themselves in service, will raise children who will shadow those disciplines. When the Bible says train up your children in the way they should go, it means teach them to be disciplined in all they do.  The school isn't the only place to teach discipline. We teach discipline to our children by holding them to our family rules and when they break those rules, facing the consequences. We teach them manners and how to treat people by how we act and treat others.  It is quite the reward when your kids finally grow up and you see the fruits of your efforts. It is even more powerful when you see your grandkids grow up and share that same level of discipline.  When you realize you have affected a generation in that way, you will be filled with great joy.  The training and discipline is not easy but are well worth the effort. Don't give up.  BE disciplined about teaching discipline to your kids.