Supernanny Parenting Discussion Guide – Week 6 (Discipline – Purpose)
Week 6 – Purpose for Discipline
Icebreaker Question: In what area(s) are you disciplined? In what area(s) could you use more discipline?
I am someone who doesn’t enjoy change. On top of that, I’m fairly disciplined about most things in my life. For example, I’m pretty disciplined about my workout routine. While training for two different marathons, I followed an 18-week written schedule, and I documented my progress on a spreadsheet. For the most part, I stayed on track throughout the entire four months of training. On the other hand, I would like to be more consistent in my prayer life. It seems easy to pray at meal times and dinner times; however, I seem to fall short the rest of the day despite the scripture that calls for us to pray without ceasing (I Thessalonians 5:17).
The topic of discipline is multifaceted. We often talk about living a disciplined life (“When it comes to working out, that guy is sure disciplined”). In this session, we will talk about the reasons we discipline our children. We’ll leave the discussion related to methods for discipline for our next meeting. As we delve into this subject, there are a few things to keep in mind. First, we discipline our children because we love them (not because we want to be mean). Second, God has placed us in a position of authority to help protect and guide our children while giving them clear and safe boundaries.
to discipline
– To train someone by instruction and practice.
– To teach someone to obey authority.
– To punish someone in order to gain control.
– To impose order on someone.
Taken from: http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/discipline
The Supernanny DVD clips this week along with previous weeks will provide a platform to begin our two-week discussion on discipline. As we watch the clips together, pay specific attention to the reasons kids are disciplines. Sit back and get ready for a lively discussion.
Note to leader: Show the following clips from the Supernanny Season 1 DVD: The Bailey Family Episode DVD Disc 2: 0:57-5:20, 9:05-10:03, 13:54-15:32, 17:03-23:35, and 35:14-39:45. You may choose to show all the clips at once or you may decide to stop the DVD after each clip and discuss the answer to question one or pull out key points as you go.
1. What observations can you make from the DVD clips that relate to why we discipline our children?
2. What are some of our excuses for not disciplining our children? How does disciplining our children show love for them?
3. Read the following verses from the Bible. What do these say about the purpose of discipline?
Hebrews 12:5-1
5 And have you completely forgotten this word of encouragement that addresses you as children? It says, “My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, 6 because the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he chastens everyone he accepts as his child.”
7 Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as his children. For what children are not disciplined by their father? 8 If you are not disciplined—and everyone undergoes discipline—then you are not legitimate children at all. 9 Moreover, we have all had parents who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of spirits and live! 10 Our parents disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in his holiness. 11 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.
Proverbs 6:20-23
20 My son, keep your father’s command and do not forsake your mother’s teaching. 21 Bind them always on your heart; fasten them around your neck. 22 When you walk, they will guide you; when you sleep, they will watch over you; when you awake, they will speak to you. 23 For this command is a lamp, this teaching is a light, and correction and instruction are the way to life,
4. List one or two things that you will do differently or that you will try as a result of our discussion on the purpose for discipline.
Take Home Activity: This may be one of the toughest homework assignments for many families. Between now and the next meeting commit to keep the TV turned off at your home. Use the time to play games, read, and spend time together. Also, take time to relate this activity to being disciplined. It takes discipline to turn the TV off sometimes. Come to the next meeting prepared to share how it went at your house. What was the initial reaction? How did you spend your time? What was the hardest part of this assignment?
Next week’s topic: Methods of Discipline
Looking Ahead: Week 8 – Introducing Your Kids to Christ