Maybe some of you have noticed that I have some recommended books on my blog... well, sorry Ted Tripp, but "Shepherding a Child's Heart" may have met it's match! My girlfriends back in Kansas suggested the book "Don't Make Me Count to Three!" by Ginger Plowman, after some lengthy discussions about disciplining our children. Now I really appreciated "Shepherding a Child's Heart", but Plowman's book on the same topic was just so much more enjoyable and practical! In short, this book focuses on reproof from scripture mixed appropriately with discipline (mainly spanking). Yet, what I love is how she takes it a step further and moves beyond the reproof and into positive encouraging instruction. From her book:
"It is important to rebuke our children when they do wrong, but it is equally important, if not more important, to walk them through what is right--to put off as well as to put on. Ephesians 4:22-24 says, 'You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.' ....How do we do this with our children? First, work through what a biblical response would have been. Second, have the child follow through with it. I cannot stress how vital this is in training."She continues to explain in more detail about this important process. She even has a separate booklet that can be purchased listing 22 behaviors along with relevant scriptures to help in the reproof and training process. It's so wonderful (and equally challenging for the parent!) ! I love the focus on the heart/motives in the child and the strong emphasis on scripture. If you are looking for a biblical approach to training your little ones... this is the best I've found yet.
