Education

The first area worth considering on where we go wrong with discipline is that often it is executed without a desire to help the other party grow.

I recall a citation program that was part of a business that I ran, where when an individual made a mistake, their supervisor would create an event in the system and it kept a catalog of offenses. The system was frowned upon by most of the employees because it was used as a tool of punishment instead of an opportunity to learn.

Looking back, there are many different ways that system could have made a positive impact on the business and even more so, the individual team members themselves. When discipline is necessary one other key element has been exposed, the opportunity for a lesson, or perhaps even a skill, to be learned. Most people have a desire to do good, with the rare exception of course, and as Christians being intentional about helping others grow is a noble goal with every interaction we encounter.

As I reflect on Hebrews, I see discipline paired with grace– God disciplines us enough so we learn the guardrails he wants us to keep– but he keeps us in his grace, he sees discipline as a learning opportunity not a punishment opportunity, as I see it, in Hebrews.

With that in mind, we may consider discipline– received by others– or, if we are leaders, meted out by us, as a call to educate others.

The foundation of this grace can be found in Hebrews as it tells us we can only discipline based on what we know best. That means right now you are equipped to serve others based on your current experiences and expertise. The outstanding part is that as we grow so does our ability to discern and respond. Knowing this, when looking back, if errors are prevalent remember that during the moment the best decision was made with the information and knowledge you had at the present time. In this way, discipline is always paired with grace. Evaluate, adjust and most importantly give yourself– and others– grace as you move forward.

Discipline and education should never be uncoupled and when executed properly all parties have a tremendous opportunity to soar to new levels.

Questions to Consider

1. Are there specific principles or strategies you find particularly impactful in ensuring that discipline serves as a catalyst for growth and learning?
2. How can you foster a culture where discipline becomes synonymous with opportunities for improvement and advancement?