As a parent, you must understand the position of authority that you stand in and insure that your children understand it as well. Parents sake - so you can discipline confidently. By faith. Legitimate authority. Child’s sake - understand the gravity of rebelling against parents.

• Exodus 21:17 -And he who curses his father or mother, shall surely be put to death. Child who curses father or mother should be put to death.

• Mark 7:5-13 Jesus affirms. How many of us are embarrassed at this text?

Gen 18:16-19 - God knew him that he may command his children and his household after him, that they keep the way of the Lord. Not because he knew how to win souls and influence people. Because he would command his children and his household after him! We are to command our children what they are to believe. We do not lay all of the options before them and hope they choose truth.

Not the terrible twos, but sin that is the problem. Children do not grow out of sin. They grow into it. Unless disciplined properly, you will experience the consequences for a long time.

Discipline is corrective. Seeks to accomplish a change in behavior. Punishment is interested only in the meeting out of justice. When God disciplines us He is sanctifying us. When He cast out the wicked into eternal darkness on the last day, He will have no thought of subsequent improvement. He is punishing them.

Objective is to correct behavior, not go through the motions. Different children will respond differently so different intensity of discipline will be required.

If parents are consistent, this will be the result. May be tempted to accept mere cessation of behavior responsible behavior. Not good enough. Must be cheerful obedience. Philipians 2:12-16 - You are teaching your children to work out their own salvation. Not discipling for your own convenience.

Prov 23:13 - 14 - The Rod -Some argue rod of scripture is really the rod of education - like a shepherds rod to teach his flock. Claim is a bold-faced lie. The word means a stick. The rod is interposed between your child and hell. It is a gift to you and your child.

Hebrews 12:11 - No chastening seems pleasant at the time. Over time, yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness. Discipline must be painful to be effective. Objective is pain, without damage.

Galatians 6:1 - you who are spiritual. Discipline must be undertaken in calm concern for the offender, not the unleashed anger of the giver. Must occur in the broad context of love. Doesn’t mean that you won’t be angry at your children’s disobedience, only that you won’t be controlled by it in your response.

Ultimately should correct behavior disciplined for. Immediately should have effect of restoring fellowship with parents. If child does not seek, there may be no fellowship to restore. Sulking exception should be disciplined for as well.

1. Painful. -Think sting. No damage. Diaper taps won’t do it. Three to five swats on a bare bottom should do it. If more than that, then seek lessons. Some parents say "well we tried spanking and it just didn’t have any effect on my Johnny". We don’t try obedience to the plain instruction in scripture. We obey in faith. If result is not achieved, the problem is not in the Word of God.
1. Consistent. - This is the difficult. Remember you are supposed to be teaching an immovable standard from an unchangeable God. Not an unfortunate run-in with a capricious father.
1. Proportionate to the offense and the offender. - Col 3:21 - Fathers do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged. Psalm 103:13-14 - our frames are but dust. Tyrannical fathers will discourage children.
1. Promptly executed. Ecc 8:11 - Where punishment is not swiftly executed…Also proverbs text from last week.
1. Husband & Wife Together - Central authority is given to fathers (Ephesians 6), but mothers will obviously plan a signficant roll in providing discipline. Children will naturally key into fathers central authority. He is responsible to insure that his wife is properly respected and obeyed by his children. If they are not, it is his problem to fix, not his wife’s. Point- Some of the support for your wife may come in the form of firmness instructions.
1. Conclusive. Discipline is not intended to be a prolonged event. It is intended to be conclusive and cleansing. 1^st John - if we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Once sin has been dealt with, it should be gone. Grounding as a disciplinary principle is contrary. If teenager too old to spank, some form of biblical restitution is probably in order. Make them confess in detail the nature of sin to offended party.
1. Cleansing. Remember that sin entangles one’s soul. It is a miserable condition. Discipline wipes it clean. Hebrews 12:1-2