It was wonderful to see everyone last week—new faces and familiar ones alike.
This week we’re diving into our new book by Dr. Tedd Tripp. There’s a lot of great material to cover in the Handbook, so come as prepared as your busy lives will allow! Here is an outline of the main content to prepare you for Thursday’s meeting.
CHAPTER 1: GETTING TO THE HEART OF THE BEHAVIOR
BIG IDEA
Proverbs 4:23 “Above all else, guard ”text-decoration: underline;“>your heart, for ”text-decoration: underline;“>it is the wellspring of life.”
John 6:45 "The good man brings the good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and the evil man brings evil things ouf of the evil stored up in his heart. For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks."
“All behavior flows from the heart…What comes out in the words and actions of your children reflect the abundance of their ”text-decoration: underline;“>hearts. Correction and discipline, therefore, must be concerned with heart issues. Your concern is to unmask your child’s sin, helping him to understand how it reflects a heart that has strayed. Correction provides opportunities to show the glories of God who sent His Son to change hearts and free people enslaved to sin.”
DIGGING INTO THE WORD
Heart issues: Proverbs 4:23, Deuteronomy 10:12, Jeremiah 17:10, Luke 12:34
Thoughts of purposes of the heart in Biblical terms: Hebrews 4:12
Examples of heart issues that lead to sin: Romans 12:19, Proverbs 29:25, Psalm 10:4, Psalm 56:3, 4,11; Deuteronomy 7:25, Ecclesiastes 4:4, Prov 10:12, James 3:14,16; Psalm 17:10, Acts 5:17, 1 Corinthians 3:1,3; 1 Cor 10:14, Romans 3:14
APPLICATION
-What are some of the reasons you get sidetracked with behavior?
-Why is changed behavior not an adequate goal in correction?
-How does understanding that behavior is only a reflection of the attitudes of the heartchange the focus in correction and discipline?
-What are some of the things you have done to change behavior without focusing on heart issues?
STRATEGIC QUESTIONS
-What are some of the ways that you have been a behaviorist rather than a shepherd of the heart of your child?
-In what ways would identifying the thoughts and intents of the heart help you to correct and discipline with a more Christ-centered focus?
-What questions can you develop (not answered ‘yes’ or ‘no’) that will help you draw your children out in the ways that focus correction and discipline on heart issues?
-What changes in your style of interacting with correction and discipline would help you to apply the ideas in this chapter?
-How should your goals change?
-How do you need to apply these truths to your life in order to move toward your children with integrity and insight?
-What are some ways you must pray for yourself and your children if you are to apply these things?
CONCLUDING THOUGHTS
In Hebrews 4:12, check your thoughts and attitudes in your heart toward correction and discipline.
Be filled with joy, hope, and courage in the Word to help you change: Ephesians 3:20, 2 Peter 1:3-4, 2 Chronicles 16:9, Psalm 139:23-24
Whew!
Before you get too overwhelmed, find encouragement in Dr. Tripp’s concluding remarks below. Looking forward to this shepherding journey with you.
Whitney
“Since God has given us His word to be a means of understanding the thoughts and attitudes of the heart, you are in sync with God’s objectives as you strive to understand the overflow of the heart issues in correction and discipline. You may be assured of His help and grace as you shepherd the hearts of your children” (p. 10, Handbook).
See you Thursday, on the 2/F of Island ECC, from 9:30-11:30. Refreshments and childcare are provided. Newcomers are always welcome.
Scripture Verses from Handbook Chapter 1