Discipline

One of the things that David and I prepared for the baby was the discussion of discipline. We'd like to be on the same page and be ready when the situation prompts. Of course, the first place that we looked for guidance was from the Bible. Here are some of the verses that we are reading about discipline:

Proverbs - Chapter 12:1 Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but he who hates correction is stupid.
Proverbs - Chapter 13: 1. A wise son heeds his father's instruction, but a mocker does not listen to rebuke.
Proverbs - Chapter 13:18 He who ignores discipline comes to poverty and shame, but whoever heeds correction is honored.
Proverbs - Chapter 13:24 He who spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him is careful to discipline him.
Proverbs - Chapter 15:5 A fool spurns his father's discipline, but whoever heeds correction shows prudence.
Proverbs - Chapter 15:10 Stern discipline awaits him who leaves the path; he who hates correction will die.
Proverbs - Chapter 15:32 He who ignores discipline despises himself, but whoever heeds correction gains understanding.
Proverbs - Chapter 19:18 Discipline your son, for in that there is hope; do not be a willing party to his death.
Proverbs - Chapter 22:15 Folly is bound up in the heart of a child, but the rod of discipline will drive it far from him.
Proverbs - Chapter 23:13-14 Do not withhold discipline from a child; it you punish him with the rod, he will not die.14. Punish him with the rod and save his soul from death.
Proverbs 29:15"To discipline and reprimand a child produces wisdom, but a mother is disgraced by an undisciplined child"
Hebrews - Chapter 12:7-11 Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father?8. If you are not disciplined (and everyone undergoes discipline), then you are illegitimate children and not true sons.9. Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of our spirits and live!10. Our fathers disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in his holiness.11. No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.
Ephesians 6:4"And now a word to you fathers. Don't make your children angry by the way you treat them. Rather, bring them up with the discipline and instruction approved by the Lord".

Some of these verses may seem harsh. But it may be what it takes to correct a bad behavior. God's discipline is loving, as it should be between parent and child. As an article said "Raising a child in the 'discipline and instruction approved by the Lord' includes restrained, corrective, and loving discipline. It should never be used to vent our anger and frustrations, or be uncontrolled. " Just as the attitude we have for anybody - to love the sinner and hate the sin, we are to love our children and to guide and set the limits. It is a great parental responsibility to raise a godly kid. Luckily we have many wonderful family and friends who are our examples already. Love and discipline go together. I pray that David and I will master it in raising our daughter to be a wonderful girl!