4. BIBLICAL DISCIPLINE LEADS TO REPENTANCE
Biblical discipline is a rescue mission that calls the sinner to
repentance. True behavior change begins with conviction.
Children will not change if conviction has not occurred.
We must pray that God will convict our children of sin and
that the child will understand more fully the reality of his or
her actions. Discipline should help a child confess to God
and the person they wronged. When this occurs, true heart
repentance has happened. Jeremiah 34:15 states, “Recently
you repented and did what was right in my sight.” Repen-
tance combines two things: a recognition of wrong and a
desire to do what is right in God’s eyes. We should help our
children recognize the difference between worldly sorrow
(I’m confessing because I was caught) and godly sorrow (I’m
confessing because I’m grieved I sinned against God).
NEW!
5. BIBLICAL DISCIPLINE APPLIES GOD’S
METHODS IN SCRIPTURE
2 Timothy 3:15-17 is one of the most helpful passages on
discipline. Paul tells us that God has given us the Bible for
teaching, reproof (conviction), correction, and training in
righteousness; it is to be used for these purposes. All four
of these items are critical in the discipline and instruction
of children, but for the sake of space, I will simply provide a
few comments on correction.
One reason God has given parents the Bible is for the
purpose of correcting a child. In other words, the Bible has
the power to correct. The word “correct” literally means to
straighten up what is wrong and reform. Parents are to use
the Bible to treat spiritual problems. God has given us, in
the Bible, all the tools to address attitudes, actions, thoughts,
and motives that do not align with the character of Christ.
Anxiety, anger, complaining, a child who will not submit—
all these parenting issues and more are dealt with in Scrip-
ture. The Bible is given to us as the means to bring about
repentance, confession, and righteousness. Of course, the
Bible itself does not do these things, but it is in the pages of
Scripture that we come into contact with Jesus.
For far too long, the church has tried to integrate
non-biblical sources with Scripture to address the topic of
discipline. The resulting marriage has produced bitter fruit.
The Bible is robust enough to provide us with all the cate-
gories and concepts we need to correct children. Let us use
it for that purpose. ■
Dr. Josh Mulvihill is the Executive Director of Church and Family Ministry at Renewanation.
He served as a pastor for nearly 20 years and helped launch The Legacy Coalition, a minis-
try that equips grandparents to pass faith on to future generations. He holds a Ph.D. from
Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. He is the author of Biblical Grandparenting and Pre-
paring Children for Marriage. Josh is married to Jen, and they have five children. Connect
with Josh on Twitter at @DrJoshMulvihill.
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