Reading: The Two Fires of Conflict and Parenting by Brian DeCook

PEACESMART PARENTING

THE TWO FIRES OF CONFLICT AND PARENTING

Scriptures:Deut. 6:4-7; Eph. 6:1-4; Prov. 4:5,7

1.        Most parent-child conflicts present discipleship opportunities.

2.         Some parents take a hands-off approach to discipling their children. They leave the task to Sunday School teachers, youth groups, and Christian schools.

3.         The Word of God places upon parents the primary responsibility to disciple their children. Deut. 6:4-7

4.        The parent-child relationship is an authority-based relationship. Authority is the power to serve, not the power to dictate and/or control.

5.         When a conflict ignites between a parent and child, the Word of God warns fathers against provoking their children to anger. Eph. 6:1-4

6.         One temptation that exists in resolving conflict with children is the temptation to tell the child what to do (instruction) without telling them why they should do it (understanding). Prov. 4:5,7

7.         In every parent-child conflict, remember the three things that every conflict firefighter must know: the Lord is always at work, correction is the path to life, and to give thanks in all circumstances.

8.         Take each matter to the Peacefire and ask the Lord for the grace to see the discipleship opportunities that exist in the conflict.