I had an interesting conversation with one of the High School teachers the other day and I wanted to share it with you. He made a reference to himself being pretty Old Testament in terms of what he needed for discipline and how he used discipline for his kids. (Strict rules and swift punishment) He said luckily for hid kids, his wife was very New Testament. (Forgiving, high on mercy and justice more about the condidtion of the heart) My mind just kept going back to that conversation and the more I thought about it, the more I realized that we need both kinds.
The Law of Moses was a preparitory law and when Jesus came, he fulfilled that law and replaced it with the gospel of repentance and forgiveness. He taught the higher law of offering our hearts to him in willing submission.
Children seem to need more structure and feel secure with firm boundaries. It teaches them the importance of obedience and they learn there is safety in obedience.
Teenagers, on the other hand, seem to push back when the laws are too strict and confines their desire to choose. But if their heart is into something they give it their all.
I think that I was the Old Testament and Randy the New. I remember many times when I wanted to punish and Randy counciled me to give them a little space. Just like on Nemo when the turtle says he lets them go to see what they will/can do. Most of the time they had a good reason for doing what they did or they would come and apologise. I was very glad that I kept my covenant to hearken to the council of my husband.
It can be a very good blend if there is one of each kind in a family. If you listen to each other and council together and realize that there is a wise purpose for each, Old Testament and New Testament discipline. I welcome your comments on these ideas.
