Dave and Bethlie continue their multi-part series on the book Shepherding a Child’s Heart by Tedd Tripp.

PART 3

4. His comments about the ROD are really good in chapter 11

1. 1. Children are not born morally and ethically neutral
      1. If they are they don’t need correction, just direction
      2. If they are not, then they need correction
      3. Our child’s problem is that he or she is a sinner!
   2. p. 102. Folly is the problem we have to address according to proverbs
      1. Folly is not childishness
      2. Folly describes the person who does not fear God
         1. A fools life is run by his desires and fears
         2. The fool lives out of the immediacy of his lusts, cravings, expectations, hopes, and fears
   3. The issue is authority
      1. Will a child live under the authority of God and his parents?
      2. Will he/she live under their own authority?
      3. All children choose to live under their own authority:
         1. I don’t want my diaper changed
         2. I don’t want to sit quietly at the table during this meal
         3. You are going to make me and if you do I will scream and throw a huge fit
         4. Leave this to take root and grow, and it produces “a rebellious teenager who will not allow anyone to rule him.”
         5. “God has ordained the rod of discipline for this condition.” p. 103
         6. “Confrontation, with the immediate and undeniably tactile sensation of a spanking, renders an implacable child sweet.” (p. 103)
         7. The quote on p 103 is massively important

4. The rod’s function

1. 1. 1. 1. 1. It imparts wisdom Pr 29:15, which is tied to the fear of god
            2. “It creates an atmosphere in which instruction can be given. The spanking renders the child compliant and ready to receive life-giving words.” (p 104)
            3. Tripp deals with the question - don’t all children eventually learn to obey? He say NO!! Proverbs 29:15, 17