Update!!!

Ladies!! I am SO SORRY about getting behind on updating our book club blog! I have just not squeezed out the moment to do it. . until now! Know that you are on my mind and in my prayers daily! I have praying that you will have great COURAGE to ENDURE in all that you are learning through our book study. We are nearing the end of our book, and I know you want to finish strong! Don't give up! We have missed you if you've been out the last week or two. Please try to come these last 2 weeks and enjoy the fellowship of our times together. Each and every week I am so encouraged by hearing how other moms are applying these wonderful principles that we're learning.

Here's a review of where we've been so far in our study. .

PART 1: REACHING THE HEART OF YOUR CHILD
Chapters 1 & 2 Being a mom is a high calling. God's Word will equip you, as a mom, to execute your calling with great skill. Remember that we are after the hearts of our children--not just well-behaved children. If we're only attempting to control their behavior without reaching their hearts, we'll be raising up mini-hypocrites! Ephesians 6:4 says to "Bring them up in the DISCIPLINE (the rod) and the INSTRUCTION (the verbal reproof) of the Lord. Proverbs 29:15 says that "The ROD and REPROOF give wisdom, but a child who gets his own way brings shame to his mother."

Chapters 3 & 4 We must TRAIN OURSELVES TO USE SCRIPTURE to teach, rebuke, correct, and train our children in righteousness (2 Timothy 3:16). We want to learn to draw out attitudes of the heart by asking heart-probing questions--teaching our children to think like Christians. A key component of training our children in righteousness is walking them through the CORRECT response. This way, we're not only teaching them what to "put off", but we're also teaching them what to "put on" (see Ephesians 4:22-24). Taking the time to re-enact the scene and role-play the correct response are important training tools.

PART 2: GIVING A BIBLICAL REPROOF
Chapters 5 & 6 Use SCRIPTURE IN THE CONTEXT OF THE MOMENT to instruct/give a reproof. God's Word is our #1 tool as mothers. It will pierce their hearts and expose the wrong by shedding light. It is time to give a reproof whenever our children sin--whether it was intentional or unintentional--and certainly before administering the rod.

Chapters 7 & 8 We must examine our OWN MOTIVES before disciplining our children. Are we reproving our children because our OWN wills were violated (we were inconvenienced, aggravated, embarrassed, irritated, etc.) or because GOD'S will has been violated? Also, beware the difference between scolding your children and reproving your children.

Part 3 is going to be an in-depth look at the use of the rod in training our children in righteousness. For those of you with really little ones, this is going to give you a wonderful foundation/framework to use in the coming years. For those of you in the middle of the "spanking years" this will solidify your "technique" and give you confidence that you are following God's plan in this important area. For those of you whose children are past spanking, we'll be considering other methods of "administering the rod". Come ready to share what works (or doesn't work) in your home!

See you Wednesday!!