“Knowing is half the battle”!!! - GI JoePosted by Patrick Scott on September 5th, 2008

As a parent I have always believed discipline to be the act of punishment for a misguided behavior. I have uncovered so much more to this word and its true power. Discipline should never be stereotyped as punishment. Being narrow minded in understanding discipline allows a person to sit back and judge. Discipline involves active participation, participation that involves hands on training. What am I teaching my children? When am I teaching my children? How am I teaching my children? If I settle for redirection as reactionary then I am setting them up to fail every time. I need to teach them before they reach the crossroad of obedience versus disobedience by showing them the importance of the correct decision. If we are born into a sinful world and our nature is to sin then we will lean more towards disobedience as a natural action. Redirection needs to happen before the action, as anticipation, and not reaction.

Discipline is training in action and a disciple actively learns. I recently did some research on the two words and have found that a disciple does not just know what to do but puts what they have learned into action. The idea of putting practice into action is accomplished through discipline. The two most important components of discipline are perseverance and focus, by the disciple and the teacher. If you don’t have perseverance, and a challenge comes up, you quit. If you don’t have focus you lose sight of the purpose you are trying to reach. As we lead our children, our families, and others to become fully devoted followers of Christ, we must look into our souls to see if we have the necessary perseverance and focus to lead. When we own this, it will pour out into others by the example we show through our own life and our amazing journey.

2 Timothy 4:7 “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith.”

What does discipline mean to you?

Is perseverance and focus important in your journey?

What are some other things that hold you firm in your pursuit of God?