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When you think back to growing up with your dad, what's the first thing that springs to mind? For some sons it's the woodshed!

Because his readers were going through a "woodshed experience" of persecution, the writer of the Book of Hebrews refers to human fathers in the context of sons undergoing discipline. But notice how he assumes that most dads are loving, accepting, proud of their children, and working at being a good parent.

1. Have you encountered a seldom-disciplined child (v. 8)? What was he or she like?



2. For what have you respected your earthly father (v. 9)?



3. How did you submit to his discipline? Was it with discouragement (v. 5)? Was it cheerfully (v. 9)? Did you find it painful (v. 11)?



4. Assume your father disciplined you the best he knew how (v. 10). Even though he did it imperfectly, how was it good for you?



5. How have you experienced a "harvest of right living" from the way your dad trained you (vv. 10-11)?



6. What encouraging words (v. 5) have you spoken to your children?

Thank God for human dads who helped you relate to Him, as you grasped how love, instruction, and discipline go together. Ask for a growing ability to put them together positively for your children.

⁵And have you entirely forgotten the encouraging words God spoke to you, his children? He said, "My child, don't ignore it when the Lord disciplines you, and don't be discouraged when he corrects you.

⁶For the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes those he accepts as his children."

⁷As you endure this divine discipline, remember that God is treating you as his own children. Whoever heard of a child who was never disciplined? ⁸If God doesn't discipline you as he does all of his children, it means that you are illegitimate and are not really his children after all. ⁹Since we respect our earthly fathers who disciplined us, should we not all the more cheerfully submit to the discipline of our heavenly Father and live forever?

¹⁰For our earthly fathers disciplined us for a few years, doing the best they knew how. But God's discipline is always right and good for us because it means we will share in his holiness. ¹¹No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening-it is painful! But afterward there will be a quiet harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way.

Prayer for the Week

Heavenly Father, help me to enjoy being a man in an antifamily culture, representing you faithfully as an earthly father.

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