Discipline

“My son, do not despise the LORD’s discipline, and do not resent his rebuke, because the LORD disciplines those he loves, as a father the son he delights in.”

Proverbs 3.11-12

It’s a hot day today. You’re thirsty…I have a pail full of cold water. You want water from the pail and I want to let you drink. So, you tilt your head back and I pour water straight into your mouth from the pail. Will you drink? Yes! But what else will happen to you? You’ll get soaked! A lot of water will spill out and be wasted. What would have helped us to utilize the water more effectively so none is wasted and so that you wouldn’t be drenched? We’re missing a cup.

We have a message to convey to the children in kid’s clubs, summer camps, Shabbat services or at home. We are given a chance to help the children understand the importance of having a personal faith in Yeshua the Messiah and receiving Him as their Savior. We can introduce them to a different way of life than that which they learn about at school and in their neighborhood – in the unbelieving society. The message is like the cold water in the pail.

As the cup helps us to utilize the water that is in the pail more effectively, there are also tools that will help us communicate our message more effectively. These tools include Bible study, games, personal conversations with the children, and discipline.

“Discipline?” you ask. “How is discipline a part of the list?”

Discipline is a tool that enhances the efficiency of the rest of the tools – it is one of the most important tools for the lessons’ success and the success of each and every one of our lives.

From Proverbs 3:11-12, we learn of the great importance that discipline has. God’s Word teaches proper ways of behavior and we must teach these ways. Maybe the process is not an easy one, but the result remains with the children for the rest of their lives (Hebrews 12.11).

Our responsibility

Our responsibility is to teach the children to distinguish between good and evil. Do not take for granted that they know this. It is our responsibility to express clear boundaries by which they will know how to behave. Within these limits we must give the children the opportunity to act freely, because we are not dictators. Being too strict can cause the child frustration and an unwillingness to cooperate “because it’s impossible to please you”.

It is very important to remember the message that we bring forth to the children when we exercise authority: I care about you; You are important enough to me that I will not allow you to do something that is not good for you now or in the future.

Enforcement of boundaries

1. Boundaries define for us what is the proper way of living.
2. Boundaries must be based on Biblical values.
3. We must require those who we are training to behave according to the boundaries we have set.
4. We must help the trainees keep the limits we have set.
5. We must correct those that step over the boundaries.
6. We must discipline those that continually exceed the boundaries we have set.

Important things to remember

1. Make sure the children know the rules. Write them on a bulletin board and hang them in a prominent place in the room. Read them at the beginning of the lesson as long as the children need that reminder.
2. Proper discipline requires of us not to give in when we have asked a child to do something.
3. Proper discipline requires patience.
4. Proper discipline requires persistence.
5. Meaningful discipline requires that we create a personal relationship with the children.
6. It is important to “catch” the children, especially those who are troublesome, when they do good things and praise them.
7. Be real with your responses to the children; they know very well how authentic your encouragement is.

Examples of rules in classroom

1. Speak respectfully to the teacher and the other students in the class.
2. Listen to the teacher in every situation.
3. Raise your hand when you want to speak.
4. Keep your hands and your feet to yourself.

If a child does not obey the rules?

1. Remind him of the rules with the help of the other children in the class.
2. Have him sit where his behavior will not distract the rest of the class (for instance, in the last row behind the children).
3. Give the child the opportunity to be your helper. Direct him to positive behavior.
4. Separate children who are egging each other on to misbehave.
5. Remove a child from the class only in extreme cases where he refuses to cooperate and is disrupting the lesson in a way that is impossible to continue. Usually, children who reach this point are children who are looking for attention and are struggling with something. If you do remove the child from the class entrust him to his parents or to an elder, so that he doesn’t roam around the building on his own.

A good rule to remember is…

Keep your lessons active, and have the children busy and engaged at all times.