Discipline

Discipline

He who ignores discipline despises himself, but whoever heeds correction gains understanding.

Proverbs 15:32, NIV

If discipline is training that is expected to produce specific patterns of behavior in our children, we need to do a fair amount of planning, teaching, and supervising to make sure we will see the desired results.

Some of the areas I’ve worked on with my sons are tithing and reaching out to needy people. If we want to see growth in specific areas like these, we’re wise to identify, plan, and account for each area. I read about a study at a major university that attempted to identify how people turn ideas into action. The results were enlightening:

Step	Probability of implementation
1. Hear an idea that you like.	10 percent
2. Consciously decide to adopt the idea.	25 percent
3. Decide when you will do it.	40 percent
4. Plan how you will do it.	50 percent
5. Commit to someone else that you will do it.	65 percent
6. Have a specific future appointment with the person you committed to, at which time you will report to him whether you have done it.	95 percent a

The progression of these percentages is quite amazing!

Weekly planning and reviewing a young child’s income helps encourage him to tithe. Encouraging a high school student to take a discouraged friend out for ice cream prompts Christian care. We all have opportunities to promote Christ-like behavior in our children.

Father,

May we promote Christian character by living it ourselves. As we see areas where our children need extra help, may we come alongside to help them plan, to encourage them, and to hold them accountable. Amen.