This morning I read the Hebrews 12 passage to my children. I gave them some hot apple cider, so they weren’t in a hurry to finish breakfast like they often are. While they sipped their drinks, we had an encouraging talk.

I asked them first who God disciplines— people he loves, or people he hates. Bethel was sure that God didn’t discipline people he loves. David wasn’t sure. I asked them if they like it when Mom or Dad disciplines them. Of course, they both said No! Then I reread the part about despising God’s discipline. They understood it.

Then I asked them why they shouldn’t hate God’s discipline. I told them God’s Word gives us two reasons. First, because it shows us that we are a part of God’s family. Second, because it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness. Since we’ve talked before about repentance, I brought that up.

David responded, “That’s hard” when I reviewed the definition about repentance. Joy filled my heart, because I rarely hear volunteered information like this from him. Hurray! Yes, it’s more than hard. It is impossible to change our own hearts and do right. I explained that the Holy Spirit is a gift from God to those who have accepted God’s gift of salvation. It was a really good opportunity to talk about the Gospel.

They hadn’t even finished their cider!

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