Dr. Bruce Ware's teaching focuses on the challenges and approaches to Christian parenting, emphasizing the role of discipline and the necessity of heart transformation in children. He advocates for a balanced approach between law and grace in raising children, warning against the extremes of being too law-based or too grace-based in parenting styles.
According to Ware, discipline should not merely be about punishment but also about instilling the right attitudes and heart conditions in children. He introduces the concept of 'heart surgery,' referring to the spiritual transformation as described in Ezekiel 36:26, where God promises to replace a heart of stone with a heart of flesh. Ware stresses the role of the Holy Spirit in this internal transformation that parents can't achieve through disciplinary actions alone.
He emphasizes the importance of teaching children to respect and obey both parents, and notes that children need to learn the gravity of disobedience not just to the law of the home but also to God's law. Ware acknowledges the challenge Christian parents face when community or church standards differ and encourages humility and unity among parents in their disciplinary approaches.
For younger children, Ware suggests that spanking can be an effective form of discipline when used appropriately and not abusively. As children grow older, the methods of discipline can evolve to include restrictions on activities or possessions that are important to them.
He also notes the legal constraints on discipline like spanking in certain jurisdictions and expresses sympathy for parents in those areas, reaffirming his belief that physical discipline, when used correctly, is biblically supported and effective.
Overall, Ware's teaching aims to guide Christian parents in raising their children in a godly manner, focusing on the transformation of the heart and aligning disciplinary methods with biblical principles.
