THINK TOGETHER.
Can you think of a time that you were disciplined for doing something wrong?
READ TOGETHER
Proverbs 1:23. If you turn at my reproof, behold, I will pour out my spirit to you; I will make my words known to you.
Everybody makes mistakes. Everybody is a fool at times. And one of the most loving things that God does for us in those times is that he disciplines us. He reproves (corrects) us. God is a good Heavenly Father who will show us when we are failing to trust and obey his perfect ways. How does God reprove and correct us? Mostly through his words. God says that he makes his word known to us? Do you listen to God’s word? Do you ever read God’s word, the Bible, on your own?
Now remember, God’s word isn’t only supposed to make you feel good inside. It is also meant to show you your sin and foolishness, and this should make you feel bad about your sin. Not bad because you’re embarrassed or because you feel stupid, but bad because you hurt God’s feelings and hurt others with your sin. When you feel this way you’re ready to turn from your sin. This is what the Bible calls repentance – turning FROM bad while turning TO good.
For example: If you read the Bible and it says “love your neighbor,” and you feel bad because you have been being mean to someone, and so you apologize to them and start being nice instead, well then you are no longer a fool, you are wise. And Solomon says that the wise are living the way God’s spirit would want you to live.
The best thing about being a Christian and having Jesus in our heart is that we have God the Holy Spirit living in our heart too. This is how we know that when God reproves (disciplines) us it is not because he hates us, but because he loves us. He wants us to be wise. He wants us to repent. He wants us to be like Jesus.
Because of Jesus we have the Holy Spirit correcting us and helping us be wise.
With Jesus we can turn from our sinful foolishnessand choose to obey God’s word.
DO SOMETHING TOGETHER
Make a plan as a family to go to church to hear Gods word. Afterwards talk about what you heard taught from the Bible, maybe in the car on the way home.
PRAY TOGETHER
Jesus, your discipline and correction is always because you love me. Help me turn from bad and turn to good today because I love you. Amen.
TLICfamily 