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As parents, we all want the best for our children. We want them to grow up to be responsible, respectful, and successful individuals. However, raising well-behaved children requires effort, patience, and most importantly, discipline. Discipline is the foundation of good parenting and is crucial in shaping our children’s character and behavior.

Contrary to popular belief, discipline is not synonymous with punishment or physical force. Discipline is about teaching our children the difference between right and wrong and guiding them towards making good choices. In fact, discipline should be an act of love, not anger or frustration. As the Bible says in Proverbs 13:24, “Those who love their children care enough to discipline them.”

Teaching Right from Wrong

The primary goal of discipline is to teach our children right from wrong. As parents, it’s our responsibility to teach them the values and principles that will guide them throughout their lives. The Bible emphasizes this in Proverbs 22:6, “Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old, he will not depart from it.” This means that if we instill the right values in our children from a young age, they are more likely to continue practicing them in their adult lives.

The Bible reinforces the importance of consistency in discipline in 2 Timothy 3:16-17, which states that “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work.” This means that we should use the Bible as our guide for teaching and correcting our children and that we should be consistent in our efforts to do so.

The 3 C’s of Loving Discipline

Loving discipline requires three key elements: clarity, consistency, and corrective action. We must establish clear rules and expectations for our children, be consistent in enforcing these rules, and correct them when they make mistakes.

Discipline is an essential aspect of parenting that should be carried out with love and care. It’s our responsibility as parents to teach our children right from wrong, and discipline is the most effective tool we have to do so. As we follow the principles outlined in the Bible and practice the 3 C’s of loving discipline, we can raise children who are responsible, respectful, and successful individuals.

Talking Points:
  • There’s an ancient parenting paradox: those who love their children care enough to discipline them. Proverbs 13:24
  • Contrary to popular opinion, there is such a thing as right and wrong. It’s the parent’s job to teach this in the home. Proverbs 22:6
  • Loving discipline turns your child’s heart toward God. First they learn to honor you; later they’ll learn to honor God. Hebrews 12:11
  • The 3 C’s of loving discipline:
    • Clear: establish clear rules and expectations and the consequences for each.
    • Consistent: follow through every time a rule is broken.
    • Corrective: consequences should deter them from making the same mistake again.
Discussion:
  1. What messages have you heard regarding discipline in our culture? Do you tend to agree or disagree?
  2. Read Proverbs 13:24. How have you seen discipline as an effective tool with your kids up to now? If done correctly, why can discipline communicate love to your kids?
  3. Read Proverbs 22:6,15. How does discipline help to direct your kids? What are some of the foolish things you see in your kids right now? How can discipline help to correct those?
  4. Describe how your kids learning to obey you will help them to obey God as adults?
  5. Read Hebrews 12:11. What can happen if you don’t discipline your kids? How can you encourage a heart of obedience in your kids?
  6. Talk about the 3 C’s of discipline. Why is it important to be clear with your rules and expectations? What rules do you need to make clearer to your kids?
  7. What has happened in the past when you were not consistent with consequences?
  8. What consequences are most effective with each of your kids right now?

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