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Following Jesus by Learning and Living the Bible
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Friday Aug 31, 2018
Friday Aug 31, 2018
In this special bonus episode, John explores how to become the kind of person who is actively kind to people who aren't kind to you. This follows up episode 12 which looked at the meaning of Jesus' teaching in Matthew 5:38-42. Jesus' teaching is so contrary to the usual human way of living and we can feel like no matter how hard we try we just can't do it.
Well that's because trying - even trying hard - won't cut it.
We need a wiser, more intentional approach than just trying to to be kind when someone treats us badly. We need to train and be prepared so that it's second nature to live this way. And in this bonus episode John reflects on some ways we can do just that.
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10 months ago
Hi Andy, I’m glad you asked this. A couple thoughts. Kids typically think discipline is ”mean” or unpleasant ... even Heb 12 acknowledges this (see v. 11). But letting them go their own way would be self-destructive and thus unloving. Both of my kids who are now in their 20’s have thanked their mom and I for disciplining them when they were small though as small children and teens they had very strong feelings in the opposite direction. Second, we must discipline out of love and in a loving manner. Not out of selfishness for our own convenience. Not with harsh angry words. Not without a warm, loving relationship undergirding it. This is what Paul is getting at by not embittering them in Colossians 3:21. Our discipline should be rooted in the wisdom of Christ and aimed at cultivating the character of Christ. By the way, I have a short parenting book that busy parents can actually read (about 45 pages) titled Prepare Them to Flourish. It’s available on Amazon - Blessings, John
10 months ago
I’m struggling to apply this in parenting my young kids. They see discipline as me being mean to them but kindness as ignoring their disobedience when Hebrews 12 says just the opposite is true...I e. that if I love them I will do what they perceive now as mean. Any thoughts on this as it pertains to young kids who we are commanded to discipline/disciple?
7 years ago
Thanks for doing this second podcast on this text, John. The challenge presented and the applications for it are clear. The call to be intentional at the end hit the nail on the head for me. I will be sharing these two podcasts