How Should You Discipline Your Children? - WHAT IS DISCIPLINE?

 In the Bible,  the word for "discipline" is not merely another word for punishment.  Discipline primarily relates to instruction, education, and correction. It is never connected with abuse or cruelty. - PROVERBS 4:1, 2.

Parental discipline is likened to gardening. A gardener prepares the soil, waters, and feeds the plant, and provides protection from pests and weeds. As the plant grows, the gardener may need to prune the plant in order to help it keep growing in the right direction.  The gardener recognizes that a careful combination of various techniques will help him to produce a healthy plant. Similarly, parents care for their children in many ways. But at times, they need to give discipline-which, like pruning, may correct wrong inclinations early on and help their children to grow  in the right direction. Pruning, however. must be done carefully, or a plant can suffer permanent harm.  Likewise, parental discipline needs to be given with loving care.

The God of the Bible, Jehovah sets a beautiful example for parents in this regard.  The discipline that he gives obedient earthly worshippers  is so effective  and desirable that they actually come to 'love discipline.' (Proverbs 12:1)  They "hold on to discipline" and "do not let it go." (Proverbs 4:13)  You can help your children to respond positively by imitating closely three key elements of God's discipline:  It is (1) loving, (2) reasonable, and (3) consistent.

Next time: How Should You Discipline Your Children? - LOVING DISCIPLINE

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