The Narrow Path: Discipline as the basis for Discipleship
The Narrow Path: Discipline as the basis for Discipleship
Pathway Parenting Week 4 Recap
“But realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come. For people will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, unloving, irreconcilable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, haters of good, treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, holding to a form of godliness but denying its power. Avoid such people.”
— 2 Timothy 3:1-5
As Paul wrote to Timothy, he highlighted the grim reality of the world we live in—a world full of self-centeredness and moral decay. These words serve as a sobering reminder that without intentional effort, this world is where our children could end up. But thankfully, he didn’t leave Timothy without a path. Paul goes on to point out:
“You, however, continue in the things you have learned and have become convinced of, knowing from whom you have learned them, and how from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”
— 2 Timothy 3:14-17
Discipline: A Positive Path to Growth
Paul’s use of the phrase "training in righteousness" is significant here. In Greek, the word used is paideia, which refers to the upbringing and discipline of a child. While “discipline” can often bring to mind negative connotations, it’s important to remember its true meaning—to train and raise up, not to tear down. Even when discipline feels hard in the moment, its purpose is to guide and strengthen our children toward righteousness.
Consider Hebrews 12:7-11 –
“It is for discipline that you endure; God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom his father does not discipline? But if you are without discipline, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate children and not sons. Furthermore, we had earthly fathers to discipline us, and we respected them; shall we not much rather be subject to the Father of spirits, and live? For they disciplined us for a short time as seemed best to them, but He disciplines us for our good, so that we may share His holiness. All discipline for the moment seems not to be joyful, but sorrowful; yet to those who have been trained by it, afterwards it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness”
In the Bible, we see that the Lord continually trains His people, and in turn, they are commanded to teach their children in the ways of the Lord:
"Hear, O Israel! The LORD is our God, the LORD is one! You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. These words, which I am commanding you today, shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your sons and shall talk of them when you sit in your house and when you walk by the way and when you lie down and when you rise up."
— Deuteronomy 6:4-7
Parents were called to make the words of the Lord part of the fabric of their daily lives, teaching their children through constant conversation and example. In the same way, we are called to train our children in righteousness—not through one-time lessons or delegated tasks, but through a consistent lifestyle of teaching and correction, modeled in our homes.
The Reality of Constant Influence
The hard truth is that our kids are watching us all the time. They see how we respond to challenges, how we speak about our faith, and whether we live in alignment with what we profess to believe. If our actions don’t match our words, it’s unlikely our children will trust what we say enough to apply it to their own lives.
This is where much of the challenge in modern parenting lies. For decades, the role of spiritual formation has often been delegated to youth pastors or Sunday school teachers. But in reality, the primary spiritual leaders in a child's life are mom and dad. As Proverbs 1:8 says:
"Hear, my son, your father’s instruction, and do not forsake your mother’s teaching."
No youth pastor or church leader can replace the role of a parent in this process. You are the ones God has called to train your children—and that’s both an honor and a responsibility. The good news is, you don’t have to do it perfectly, but you do have to do it intentionally.
Training/Disciplining Each Child Differently
Of course, no two children are alike. Each one has unique needs, personalities, and temperaments. The path of discipline will look different for every child, but the goal remains the same. Some children may be tender-hearted, responding well to minimal correction, while others may need firmer, more painful boundaries. The key is to know your child and to be attuned to what will help them grow, even if that requires different methods.
But while the methods of discipline might vary, one thing must remain constant: your own heart. Your children are not just watching your actions—they’re watching to see if your character stays consistent. A parent whose life is centered on Christ is a powerful witness, no matter how different their methods of correction may be.
Lead with God’s Word Written on Your Heart
Perhaps the most important step in training your children is to ensure you are pursuing the Lord yourself. No parent is perfect, and we will all make mistakes along the way, but if God’s Word is written on your heart, that foundation will carry you through even the most challenging seasons. When your own heart is aligned with God’s, your children will see that authenticity in how you live—and that, in itself, is one of the greatest gifts you can give them.
Parenting is a long road filled with both joys and challenges. But the ultimate goal is clear: to raise our children in the knowledge and love of God, equipping them to reflect His image in the world.
Remember, this isn’t about being perfect. It’s about recognizing your God-given role and then being faithful and consistent.
— 2 Timothy 3:1-5
As Paul wrote to Timothy, he highlighted the grim reality of the world we live in—a world full of self-centeredness and moral decay. These words serve as a sobering reminder that without intentional effort, this world is where our children could end up. But thankfully, he didn’t leave Timothy without a path. Paul goes on to point out:
“You, however, continue in the things you have learned and have become convinced of, knowing from whom you have learned them, and how from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”
— 2 Timothy 3:14-17
Discipline: A Positive Path to Growth
Paul’s use of the phrase "training in righteousness" is significant here. In Greek, the word used is paideia, which refers to the upbringing and discipline of a child. While “discipline” can often bring to mind negative connotations, it’s important to remember its true meaning—to train and raise up, not to tear down. Even when discipline feels hard in the moment, its purpose is to guide and strengthen our children toward righteousness.
Consider Hebrews 12:7-11 –
“It is for discipline that you endure; God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom his father does not discipline? But if you are without discipline, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate children and not sons. Furthermore, we had earthly fathers to discipline us, and we respected them; shall we not much rather be subject to the Father of spirits, and live? For they disciplined us for a short time as seemed best to them, but He disciplines us for our good, so that we may share His holiness. All discipline for the moment seems not to be joyful, but sorrowful; yet to those who have been trained by it, afterwards it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness”
In the Bible, we see that the Lord continually trains His people, and in turn, they are commanded to teach their children in the ways of the Lord:
"Hear, O Israel! The LORD is our God, the LORD is one! You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. These words, which I am commanding you today, shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your sons and shall talk of them when you sit in your house and when you walk by the way and when you lie down and when you rise up."
— Deuteronomy 6:4-7
Parents were called to make the words of the Lord part of the fabric of their daily lives, teaching their children through constant conversation and example. In the same way, we are called to train our children in righteousness—not through one-time lessons or delegated tasks, but through a consistent lifestyle of teaching and correction, modeled in our homes.
The Reality of Constant Influence
The hard truth is that our kids are watching us all the time. They see how we respond to challenges, how we speak about our faith, and whether we live in alignment with what we profess to believe. If our actions don’t match our words, it’s unlikely our children will trust what we say enough to apply it to their own lives.
This is where much of the challenge in modern parenting lies. For decades, the role of spiritual formation has often been delegated to youth pastors or Sunday school teachers. But in reality, the primary spiritual leaders in a child's life are mom and dad. As Proverbs 1:8 says:
"Hear, my son, your father’s instruction, and do not forsake your mother’s teaching."
No youth pastor or church leader can replace the role of a parent in this process. You are the ones God has called to train your children—and that’s both an honor and a responsibility. The good news is, you don’t have to do it perfectly, but you do have to do it intentionally.
Training/Disciplining Each Child Differently
Of course, no two children are alike. Each one has unique needs, personalities, and temperaments. The path of discipline will look different for every child, but the goal remains the same. Some children may be tender-hearted, responding well to minimal correction, while others may need firmer, more painful boundaries. The key is to know your child and to be attuned to what will help them grow, even if that requires different methods.
But while the methods of discipline might vary, one thing must remain constant: your own heart. Your children are not just watching your actions—they’re watching to see if your character stays consistent. A parent whose life is centered on Christ is a powerful witness, no matter how different their methods of correction may be.
Lead with God’s Word Written on Your Heart
Perhaps the most important step in training your children is to ensure you are pursuing the Lord yourself. No parent is perfect, and we will all make mistakes along the way, but if God’s Word is written on your heart, that foundation will carry you through even the most challenging seasons. When your own heart is aligned with God’s, your children will see that authenticity in how you live—and that, in itself, is one of the greatest gifts you can give them.
Parenting is a long road filled with both joys and challenges. But the ultimate goal is clear: to raise our children in the knowledge and love of God, equipping them to reflect His image in the world.
Remember, this isn’t about being perfect. It’s about recognizing your God-given role and then being faithful and consistent.
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