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Master Guide Seminar

Basic Pathfinder Discipline

20 July 2014

Presenter: Melusi Moyo

The word discipline comes from Latin:

disciplina which means ‘training’. It is closely associated with the Latin word disciplus which means ‘a learner’.

This is the word from which the English word disciple is derived. The two root words lead us to understand that a disciple is a learner who is in training. The Bible teaches that the process of discipline (discipling) or learning and training is most effective when it is carried out in a caring, supporting and loving environment. “If you refuse to discipline your children, it proves you don’t love them, if you love your children, you will be prompt to discipline them”. Proverbs 13:24.

Discipline in the Bible is presented in two perspectives:

The constructive and the redemptive. From the constructive perspective, discipline is presented as a necessary path on the way to knowing God and enjoying a productive life. “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge. Only fools despise wisdom and discipline”. Proverbs 1:7 NLT God’s discipline leads to a good life. “Lord, your discipline is good, for it leads to life and health. You have restored me to life!” Isaiah 38:16 NLT

Biblical Viewpoint

“Happy are those whom you discipline, Lord, and those whom you teach from your law. You give them relief from troubled times”. Psalms 94:12,13a NLT

The redemptive perspective of discipline is observed in the Bible when God’s children have turned away from Him and will not respond to His repeated appeals to return to Him. God either withdraws His protection or directly allows His children to experience difficulties with the hope that they will sense their need and return to Him. Notice how Jeremiah talks about this to the people of Israel.

God’s discipline will provide happiness and peace.

“For I am with you and save you, says the Lord. I will completely destroy the nations where I have scattered you, but I will not destroy you. But I must discipline you; I cannot let you go unpunished”. Jeremiah 30:11 NLT Discipline is designed to train individuals towards a better way of life. The Pathfinder organisation is committed to that ministry.

God’s discipline will provide happiness and peace.

Pathfinders come from many families where discipline is administered by different methods. They come with a whole range of experiences and expectations. Often, they encounter a different kind of discipline than that which is practiced in their home. They either experience a new kind of freedom with a total lack of restraint, or they encounter unaccustomed restraint. There are situations where the expectations of the club in regards to discipline are very different from those at home. Consequently, it is expected that in a Pathfinder club, there will be individuals who might initially be unable or unwilling to conform to the accepted values and conduct expected in a Pathfinder Club.

Why Discipline Becomes an Issue in a Pathfinder Club

Basic Principles of Effective Club Discipline

• Morale, or Club spirit, is the tangible element that determines the success of any Pathfinder Club.

• All Pathfinders and staff members will need to work together in developing a sense of unity and belonging, and maintaining interest and enthusiasm.

Club staff need to check for the following:

• Spiritual Objective

• Attendance

• Home contact

• Round table discussion

• Unit Captain’s Table

• Making Members Welcome

• Putting Friends Together

• Reviewing the Counsellor's Work

• Planning a balanced Programme

• Developing Unit Cohesiveness

• Pathfinder Meeting place

• Planning a Pathfinder programme

• Equipment

• Camping Equipment

• Teaching Materials

Pathfinder Club Discipline

The goal of disciplining children must be :

a. to guide them as sons and daughters of God.

b. to show them love and understanding.

c. to teach them God’s character as revealed in order and discipline. to make them useful members of the church and community.

d. to help them respect their leaders and parents.

a. Feel that they are being born into a new experience

b. Learn that they are being loved by the kind of correction and discipline they receive

c. Learn to discipline their desires

Pathfinders must:

Discipline has been administered in many different ways. Each of them has their own strengths and their weaknesses. The main four methods are:

1. Authoritarian Discipline. Authoritarian Discipline lays down the rules and polices them. Fear, guilt, and force are used to obtain order and respect. Authoritarian discipline brings instant order to a club but does not guarantee self discipline. The Pathfinder staff is in charge and cannot rest at anytime because the rules have to be maintained.

Different Styles of Discipline

Different Styles of Discipline

2. Permissive Discipline.

Permissive Discipline appeals to the Pathfinder’s better self and does not enforce obedience. Love and praise are used to motivate productivity. Order, obedience, and self-discipline are not highly valued. Achieving requirements and maintaining standards including safety are not ensured. The outcomes are based on the success of gaining cooperation. The Pathfinder can take charge and enforce what they feel like doing without any regard for standards or expectations. For the club to exist the staff have to go along with the Pathfinders.

3. Neglectful Discipline.

Neglectful Discipline is when there are minimal rules or support for the group being led. It is a situation where no one knows what is going to happen because everyone is only interested in their own agenda.

Both the staff and the Pathfinders have no real goals or purpose for the club. This type of discipline cannot last because either the club will fold, or another style of leadership will be adopted.

4. Authoritative or Positive Discipline.

This is where discipline involves the Pathfinders in the decision making as much as possible. The Pathfinders are held responsible and accountable for the outcomes. Affirmation and rewards are the chief motivators of order and respect. Pathfinders are held to the consequences of negative choices. The Pathfinder staff is ultimately responsible.

a. Provides an environment that supports cheerful attitudes and cooperative behavior

b. Emphasises guidance rather than restraint; constructive rather than destructive

c. Enables not cripples

d. Encourages self-control and purposeful activity

e. Is present not seen

f. Teaches a child to do the right thing at the right time in the right way and for the right reason

g. Prevents trouble

Good Discipline

How to Keep Discipline

•A well-planned programme will avoid problems and mistakes. Order and system inspire confidence.

•Children learn by example.

•Club meeting starts on time –staff are there before the start of the programme and the programme runs smoothly to its conclusion.

Guidance for Balanced Discipline

Establish rules and regulations and a point system

Rules should be few, well-considered and enforceable

Present devotional admonition on discipline, explaining the Pledge and Law

Counsel with guilty youth before disciplinary action. Pray with them

Parents need to understand the importance of Club disciplinary training

Guidelines for Balanced Disciple

•Establish Rules and regulation and a point system.

• Inform the Pathfinders of the rules, your expectation and methods of enforcements

•“Rules should be few and well considered, and when once made, they should be enforced. Whether is found impossible to change, the minds learns to recognise and adapt itself to” (Education page 290)

•Present devotional on discipline, explaining the Pledge and Law.

Proper Administration of Discipline

The CORRECT Way:

a. Inspire right and order by love, kindness and consistent example

b. Win confidence

c. Show love to youth by kindness

d. Expect loyal cooperation

e. Develop trust, compliance, cooperation and love

Improper Administration of Discipline

• The WRONG Way:

a. Crush or break the spirit

b. Use of strict force

Result: development of distrust, evasiveness and

hatred for authority

Prevention of Discipline Problems

Plan an extensive program of activities

Never go to meetings unprepared

Be friendly, caring and approachable

Cultivate a sense of humour

Avoid the use of ridicule and sarcasm

Don’t be a fault finder

Be fair and impartial

Show self-control

Watch the use of your voice

Maintain eye contact

Give clear, precise instructions and commands

Eliminate mannerisms that could lead to ridicule

Punishable Offences

Clear and unjustifiable insubordination

Indecency

Impudence to counsellor

Offensive language

Injuring others

Damaging property

Cheating and stealing

Methods of Discipline

Give personal counsel

Use group judgement

Take care of individual difference

Expel if necessary

Punish is anger

Use threats

Force apologies in public

Detain after club meeting

Assign extra tasks

Apply “Dunce Cap” discipline

Use corporal punishment

Do Don’t

Discipline Procedures

Speak tactfully

Explain what is expected

Have a private visit and pray

Privately counsel together with Pathfinder

Earnestly solicit cooperation

Pray with Pathfinder

Discipline Procedures

Counsel with Pathfinder

Convey the seriousness of the matter

Pray together

Make appointment to meet parents/carer

Private visit and Pray with Pathfinder

Refer to Disciplinary Committee

Notify Parents of meeting

Visit Pathfinder during ‘vacation time’

1. It develops character. 2. It builds relationships -demonstrates that leaders care. 3. It defines right from wrong. 4. It is a learning experience. 5. It provides opportunity to learn the impact of choice and consequences. 6. Develops group relationships. 7. Consistent - “one for all.”

Impacts of positive discipline