2/23/2025 Firm, But Fair
February 20, 2025

Hebrews: 12:5-11
And have you completely forgotten this word of encouragement that addresses
you as a father addresses his son? It says,
“My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline, and do not lose heart when
he rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and he chastens
everyone he accepts as his son.”

Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as his children. For what
children are not disciplined by their father? If you are not disciplined—and
everyone undergoes discipline—then you are not legitimate, not true sons and
daughters at all. Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us
and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of
spirits and live! They disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but
God disciplines us for our good, in order that we may share in his holiness. No
discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces
a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.

1.) Care: correction driven by love

1 Samuel 16:7
But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look on his appearance or on the height of
his stature, because I have rejected him. For the Lord sees not as man sees: man
looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.

2.) Committing to the long game of discipleship

Galatians 6:7
Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows.

Amos 3:3
Do two walk together unless they have agreed to do so

3.) Correction

Ephesians 6:1-3
Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. Honor your father and
mother—which is the first commandment with a promise—“so that it may go well
with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.”

Ephesians 4:26
In your anger do not sin.

Ephesians 6:4
Fathers, don’t stir up anger in hour children, but bring them up in the training
and instruction of the Lord.

1 Corinthians 3:6-7
I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow. So
neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God,
who makes things grow.

Questions for the Road:
1.) What might I need to become a healthier parent?

2.) What areas of my parenting might need more discipline?

3.) What heart issues might be beneath my child’s behavioral problems?