Hello, friend. Welcome to Authorized Sword Ministries.

We're so glad you're here.

This is the first lesson in a new series called Raising Children in the Lord. Over six lessons, we'll look at what the Bible says to moms and dads. We'll talk about discipline, about helping children grow in the Lord, and about the special bond between fathers and sons, fathers and daughters, mothers and sons, and mothers and daughters.

If you've watched our Training Up a Child course, this series builds right on it.

Today we start with a question every parent faces. What do I do when my child disobeys?

Foolishness Is Bound in the Heart

First, don't be shocked when it happens. The Bible tells us plainly:

"Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child; but the rod of correction shall drive it far from him." — Proverbs 22:15 (KJV)

Nobody has to teach a child to be selfish or to say "no." It's already in the heart. That's true of every child, because it's true of every one of us. So when your child disobeys, it isn't proof that you've failed. It's a reminder that your child needs what we all need: correction, and a Saviour.

Children Have a Job Too

God gives children a clear command:

"Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right. Honour thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise;) That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth." — Ephesians 6:1-3 (KJV)

Teach your children this verse. Obeying Mom and Dad isn't just a house rule. It's what God asks, and He attaches a promise to it.

Correction Is Love

Some parents think loving a child means never correcting him. The Bible says the opposite.

"He that spareth his rod hateth his son: but he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes." — Proverbs 13:24 (KJV)

"Betimes" means early. Promptly. Don't wait until a small problem becomes a big one.

"Chasten thy son while there is hope, and let not thy soul spare for his crying." — Proverbs 19:18 (KJV)

There is a season when a child's heart is soft and teachable. Use it.

And the Bible shows us what happens when a parent won't correct at all. God said this about Eli the priest:

"For I have told him that I will judge his house for ever for the iniquity which he knoweth; because his sons made themselves vile, and he restrained them not." — 1 Samuel 3:13 (KJV)

Eli knew what his sons were doing. He just didn't stop them. "He restrained them not." Loving parents restrain.

How God Disciplines Us

So how should we correct? Look at how our heavenly Father corrects His children.

"For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth." — Hebrews 12:6 (KJV)

God's correction always comes from love. And it always has a purpose. Here is our key verse:

"Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby." — Hebrews 12:11 (KJV)

Correction doesn't feel good at the moment, for the child or for the parent. But "afterward" it brings "the peaceable fruit of righteousness." We aren't trying to win an argument. We're trying to grow a heart.

And the Bible gives parents a promise:

"Correct thy son, and he shall give thee rest; yea, he shall give delight unto thy soul." — Proverbs 29:17 (KJV)

Correct with Self-Control

Here is where many of us need help. The Bible says:

"Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath: For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God." — James 1:19-20 (KJV)

Your anger will not produce a godly child. If you're angry, stop. Breathe. Pray. Then correct. Correction should come from a calm heart, never from a hot temper.

And God gives fathers, and all of us, a warning:

"Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well pleasing unto the Lord. Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged." — Colossians 3:20-21 (KJV)

We looked at Ephesians 6:4 in our Training Up a Child course. Here Paul gives the reason. Harshness discourages a child. A discouraged child stops trying. So be firm, but be fair. Keep your word. Be consistent. If something is wrong on Monday, it's wrong on Friday too. And when the correction is over, let your child know it's over, and that you love him.

A soft word helps too. Proverbs 15:1 says, "A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger."

When an Older Child Wanders

What about an older child, a teenager or a grown son or daughter, who has turned away? Remember the father in Luke 15. His son took his money and left. But one day the son came home.

"And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him." — Luke 15:20 (KJV)

That father was watching the road. Keep praying. Keep loving. Keep the porch light on. Our heavenly Father ran to meet us, and we can do the same for our children.

Come Home to the Father

Friend, that story isn't only about children. It's about all of us. We have all wandered from God. But He is ready to forgive.

"For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." — Romans 6:23 (KJV)

Jesus died for your sins, He was buried, and He rose again the third day. Turn to Him today.

"For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved." — Romans 10:13 (KJV)

Next Time

In Lesson Two, we'll look at how to help your children grow in the Lord, the same way Jesus "increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man."

A Prayer

Before we go, let's pray together.

Heavenly Father,

Thank You for this friend who is listening right now, and for the children You have given us.

Thank You for correcting us in love. Help us to correct our children the same way, with patience, with self-control, and with love.

Make us slow to wrath and quick to listen. Where we have been too soft, make us faithful. Where we have been too harsh, make us gentle.

And for every child who has wandered, bring them home.

In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.

Thank you for spending this time with us.

We'll see you in Lesson Two.

From all of us at Authorized Sword Ministries, God bless you.