Seven Truths about God's Discipline from Hebrews 12:
1. Discipline was modeled by Jesus (vv. 2-3)
2. Discipline is a mark of membership in God's family (vv.5-8)
3. Discipline includes hardships and hostile treatment (v. 7 w/ v. 3)
4. Discipline is sometimes misunderstood (vv. 5, 6. 15)
5. Discipline should lead to respect and submission toward God (vv. 9-10a)
6. Discipline leads to formation of godly character (v. 10)
7. Discipline is painful training in right living (v. 11)
Additional thoughts on discipline:
Discipline is necessary to life:
Like it or not, discipline is part of life. Without it, we easily slide into habits that become defeating. To live well and be effective always necessitates discipline. Discipline challenges our natural tendencies toward laziness, carelessness, lack of focus, and even defeat. Most of us would willingly admit to needing more rather than less discipline. But we know it doesn't come easily.
Discipline Defined: More than punishment
The word discipline carries a range of meaning from teaching to punishment. It includes educating, training, coaching, correcting, and chastising. The overall aim of discipline is to develop the moral, mental and physical character of an individual; to foster skills, abilities, character traits, and behavior patterns whether personal or social. Discipline can be self-imposed or gained through outside forces and influences. Typically, the later leads to the former. Common spheres of discipline include, home, school, law enforcement, military, athletics and Church. When a society becomes undisciplined at any level, everyone in it suffers.
God believes in Discipline:
It should not surprise us to learn that God also believes in the value and need of discipline. God repeatedly reminded his people that he disciplines those he loves (see: Proverbs 3:12; Hebrews 12:6). God's discipline is compared with the discipline of an earthly father who cares enough to train his son (Deuteronomy 8:5; Psalm 103:13).
