Define Discipline

I teach a 12^th grade class on family, which always makes me reflect on my parenting and this year is no different. One of my students asked my what I thought of when the Bible talks about discipline. Take a moment and think on that: Not what did I learn about discipline from my parents (although they were great disciplinarians), not what has culture taught me (not much), not what do I currently do with my kids (it varies) but what does the Bible mean when it talks about discipline. I explained at the time that discipline can take on varies forms but always is used to correct a person. It is rarely preformed out of anger but rather out of love. I realize that God responded with righteous anger when disciplining but since my anger is not usually “righteous” I refrain from disciplining out of anger. The Bible has an unusual amount of verses about disciplining and even more if you include the synonyms train, teach and instruct (over 500). It has also been said many times that our relationship with our parents is the first impression we get of who God is. If our parents are quick to anger then we often think of God as being quick to anger. If they comforted us even in the midst of discipline then we have an easier time climbing in our Heavenly Fathers lap and accepting His grace. This is a huge responsibility for those of us in the parenting stage of life. We are an example to our kids on the character of God. I am far from a perfect parent or perfect disciplinarian and the responsibility God has given me to reflect his character is overwhelming at times. Today I say with my husband and we disciplined our daughter. We talked with her, we instructed her on what needed to change, we disciplined her (in this case it means not sleeping in the cool Frozen tent), we held her while she cried and we assured her of our love. After we were through talking, Shannon held out his arms and as I watched her cling to her daddy and cry, I was reminded on the love God has for us when we do something wrong. He talks with us through the Holy Spirit, showing us where we went wrong. He uses scripture to instruct us on what we need to change. He disciplines us out of love and he is always there to hold us when cry. As the author of Hebrews says, “For the moment all discipline seems painful.” However, he also says, “For the Lord disciplines the one he loves.” I pray that as my kids grow older that they will see it is out of love for them that we discipline. Even more, I thank God as I watch my children receive training from their father, that he is not only teaching, training, instructing and disciplining but also reflecting God’s character to our children.