What does the Bible say about child discipline?
The Bible has a lot to say about child discipline, particularly in the book of Proverbs. As early as Deuteronomy 5:16, God’s will that children should honor their parents is made clear. This command, when obeyed, is accompanied by a promised reward: “Honor your father and your mother, as the LORD your God has commanded you, so that you may live long and that it may go well with you in the land the LORD your God is giving you.” As good parents, we know our children are a gift from God – a gift that comes with responsibility. Our job is to raise them with righteous standards (Psalm 127:3, Deuteronomy 6:6-7). Child discipline, then, is not about punishing wrong behavior as much as it is about setting a course. Proverbs 22:6 says, “Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.” Laying a good foundation is essential in raising loving, moral, well-disciplined children. In the same way that the Bible offers you and I guidance for living our own lives, so
