How can we discipline our children with unconditional love?

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Overview

Biblical discipline focuses on heart changes, not merely outward behavior changes. It includes consistent training, calm correction, biblical teaching, and clear communication. It also includes punishment, but only in the context of unconditional love, according to Gary Chapman and Ron R. Lee in their article “Loving Discipline That Works,” written for CHRISTIAN PARENTING TODAY. This means we never withhold love when we discipline, but instead see discipline as part of love, just as God disciplines those he loves.

This study considers: How can we discipline in love? What are the components of loving discipline? Why is discipline an essential part of loving our children? How do we focus on heart changes instead of concentrating only on outward behavior changes? How do we model God’s unconditional love and forgiveness?

Table of Contents

SCRIPTURE: Deuteronomy 6; Psalm 103:8–13; Proverbs 13:24, 22:15, 29:15–17; Colossians 3:12–17; Hebrews 12:5–11

LEADER'S GUIDE

    • Identify the Current Issue

    • Discover the Eternal Principles

—Teaching point one: Diligent training and consistent modeling of God’s ways are foundational to discipline.

—Teaching point two: Wisdom comes from correction.

—Teaching point three: We demonstrate unconditional love when we discipline our children for their good, just as God disciplines us for our good.

—Teaching point four: We must forgive our children just as Christ forgave us.

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