Jacquie Lambie on Skye news was interviewed about Youth Detention, and also Queensland Premier spoke about Youth Crime. I believe Prevention is better than cure, and a religious education is vital. Parenting is critical, and shepherding our children’s heart. Being law abiding demonstrates our Christian Faith.
I bought a book about parenting and I wanted to share with you some of its insights. It’s written by Tedd Tripp. Also, the Pope released a long document about the heart, some of which I have quoted.
Proverbs 4:23 instructs us that the heart is the foundation from which life flows.
Parents and teachers have a massive role in Shepherding a child’s heart.
As parents it is important not to get angry, ‘My dear brother, take note of this; Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for man’s anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires.’ James 1:19-20
You must discipline your child in love. Proverbs 3:12 ‘The lord disciplines those he loves, as a father the son he delights in.’ Discipline when done correctly, is an expression of love. It is designed for growth.
The best part of communication is learning to draw out the thoughts of your child. We are, after all, seeking to understand them. Proverbs 20.5 ‘The purpose of a man’s heart are deep waters, but a man of understanding draws them out.’
There are many types of communication with your children, and they include encouragement, correction, rebuke, entreaty, instruction, warning, teaching and prayer. These forms of communicating not only disciplines, it disciples.
Try not to focus on behaviour but rather address the heart. The heart directs behaviour. Behaviour is just a manifestation of what’s going on inside. Luke 6:45 ‘For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks.’
As the Pope says ‘The Word of God is living and active … it is able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart’ Heb 4:12. We should use scripture to help Shephard our children.
The Pope goes on to say St Ignatius and his exercises break into our hearts and helps us set our life in order. Our hearts, he says, united with the heart of Christ, are capable of working social miracles.
Under the guidance of Church teaching we can become and bring up peace makers. We can all invest in our community and participate in good works.
SydneySettler 