Opening Discussion

• What was something you got in trouble for as a kid, that you laugh about now that you’re older?

Shortened Version

Read and Discuss

Proverbs 1:8

Hear, my son, your father’s instruction And do not forsake your mother’s teaching;

Proverbs 13:24

He who withholds his rod hates his son, But he who loves him disciplines him diligently.

Proverbs 19:18

Discipline your son while there is hope, And do not desire his death.

Proverbs 29:17

Correct your son, and he will give you comfort; He will also delight your soul.

Proverbs 22:15

Foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child; The rod of discipline will remove it far from him.

Proverbs 23:13

Do not hold back discipline from the child, Although you strike him with the rod, he will not die.

Proverbs 29:15

The rod and reproof give wisdom, But a child who gets his own way brings shame to his mother

Proverbs 22:5

Train up a child in the way he should go, Even when he is old he will not depart from it.

• What are some themes that Solomon (and the other authors) give about raising children?
• What is the difference between authoritarian parenting and authoritative parenting?
• Even if you aren’t a parent, what are some ways you can be more disciplined in your life this week?

Read Psalm 103:13

As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him.

Proverbs 3:11-12

My son, do not reject the discipline of the Lord Or loathe His reproof, For whom the Lord loves He reproves, Even as a father corrects the son in whom he delights.

Proverbs 15:5

A fool rejects his father’s discipline, But he who regards reproof is sensible.

• When have you rejected discipline?
• What are some ways the Lord disciplines us?
• How has the Lord disciplined you recently and what did you do about it?

Discipleship Questions

• What is one area you can focus on being disciplined this week?
  • What will you do specifically?
• Who is someone that is disciplined? What can you learn from them?
• What is a spiritual discipline you could start practicing this week?

Extended Edition

Read and Discuss

Proverbs 1:8

Hear, my son, your father’s instruction And do not forsake your mother’s teaching;

Proverbs 13:24

He who withholds his rod hates his son, But he who loves him disciplines him diligently.

Proverbs 19:18

Discipline your son while there is hope, And do not desire his death.

Proverbs 29:17

Correct your son, and he will give you comfort; He will also delight your soul.

Proverbs 22:15

Foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child; The rod of discipline will remove it far from him.

Proverbs 23:13

Do not hold back discipline from the child, Although you strike him with the rod, he will not die.

Proverbs 29:15

The rod and reproof give wisdom, But a child who gets his own way brings shame to his mother

Proverbs 22:5

Train up a child in the way he should go, Even when he is old he will not depart from it.

• What are some themes that Solomon (and the other authors) give about raising children?
• What is the difference between authoritarian parenting and authoritative parenting?
• Even if you aren’t a parent, what are some ways you can be more disciplined in your life this week?
• Why is proper correction so important in parenting?
• What are some ways you’ve failed in the way you have disciplined as a parent?
• What were some ways your parents disciplined you growing up that were helpful?
• How do you practice discipline when no one is around to guide you?

Read Psalm 103:13

As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him.

Proverbs 3:11-12

My son, do not reject the discipline of the Lord Or loathe His reproof, For whom the Lord loves He reproves, Even as a father corrects the son in whom he delights.

Proverbs 15:5

A fool rejects his father’s discipline, But he who regards reproof is sensible.

• When have you rejected discipline?
• What are some ways the Lord disciplines us?
• How has the Lord disciplined you recently and what did you do about it?
• Who are some people in your life that might correct you now?
• How do you receive corrections and constructive criticism?
• How do you handle criticism from people you don’t get along with?

Discipleship Questions

• What is one area you can focus on being disciplined this week?
  • What will you do specifically?
• Who is someone that is disciplined? What can you learn from them?
• What is a spiritual discipline you could start practicing this week?

Memorize it!

Proverbs 15:5

A fool rejects his father’s discipline, But he who regards reproof is sensible.

Prayer TACOS

Thanksgiving- Thank the Lord for discipling us to help make us more like Him

Adoration- Worship the Lord for His guidelines

Confess the times you’ve rejected correction and lived how you wanted to live

Others- Pray for someone you know who is struggling with raising their kids. Ask the Lord to give you wisdom on how to help them this week.

Self- Ask the Lord to help with raising your kids to follow after Him. If you don’t have kids, pray for discipline in your daily life.