This is gonna hurt me more than this is gonna hurt you.”  Those are the infamous words of many parents just before they spank one of their children.  When some people think about child rearing, the first and only thought that comes to their mind is the matter of discipline.  Discipline is definitely vital and even biblical.  However, it is essential that every parent be a disciplinarian, but along with discipline comes a second necessary practice in parenting.

Every parent must faithfully disciple their children.  I definitely remember my parents spanking me for doing wrong, but they would follow that up with an explanation of what the right thing was to do.  The physical spanking can break the will of a child, but it is your verbal direction that teaches him how to do right.  Every parent must keep in mind that correction and instruction go hand in hand.  So next time your child disobeys and warrants discipline follow the three step process of cooling down your anger, breaking down his will, and building up his character.  The challenge is upon you to both discipline and disciple.

Tim Rabon, Jr.

Children’s Ministry Director