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Scriptural Support for Discipling Children as Greatest Work

The concept of discipling children as a paramount work is deeply rooted in biblical teaching, emphasizing both instruction and correction as essential components of their upbringing. This understanding is reflected across various biblical books and theological traditions.

The Old Testament, particularly the book of Proverbs, frequently highlights the importance of parental guidance and discipline. Proverbs 22:6 famously states, "Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it" [3]. This verse is often interpreted as an injunction for parents to catechize and initiate their children, keeping them under discipline and preparing them for their intended purpose, much like soldiers are trained to handle arms and follow commands [10]. The "way he should go" is understood not as the child's natural inclination, but rather the path of wisdom and righteousness [10].

Discipline, in this context, is not merely punitive but formative. Proverbs 19:18 advises, "Discipline your son, for there is hope; don’t be a willing party to his death" [2]. This suggests that withholding discipline is a grave neglect, potentially leading to destructive outcomes for the child. Similarly, Proverbs 3:11 encourages children not to reject the Lord's discipline or lose heart when corrected by Him [5]. The act of punishment is sometimes necessary to motivate instruction, and discipline is presented as a product of love, while the refusal to discipline is seen as a sign of laziness [14].

The New Testament reinforces these themes, particularly in the epistles. The author of Hebrews draws a parallel between divine discipline and parental discipline, stating, "It is for discipline that you endure. God deals with you as with children, for what son is there whom his father doesn’t discipline?" [1]. This passage underscores the idea that discipline, or chastening, is a sign of sonship and is intended for amelioration [8]. It serves as a motive for submission to God, just as children honor their earthly parents who discipline them [4, 7]. The grace of God itself is understood to exercise discipline, often through trying chastisements, teaching believers to deny ungodliness and live righteously [12].

Parents are specifically instructed in Ephesians 6:4: "Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord." This verse cautions against harsh or unjust treatment that might anger children, advocating instead for loving and gentle discipline and instruction that draws children to the Lord rather than turning them away [9, 15]. The duty of children to obey their parents is also emphasized, as parents are seen as instruments of their children's being, with God-given authority to command in subservience to God [13]. Obedience to pious parents is considered a path to piety for the children themselves [13].

The concept of "good works" in Christian theology is broad, encompassing actions that glorify God and are performed through Christ [6]. While discipling children is not explicitly listed as "the greatest work" in a hierarchical sense within the provided texts, the emphasis placed on it suggests its profound importance in God's economy. Children are recognized as a gift from God, capable of glorifying Him, and are to be brought to Christ, instructed in His ways, and judiciously trained [7]. Their conduct, even from a young age, can be a test of their principles [11].

The historical development of this doctrine has seen consistent emphasis across various Christian traditions. Puritan and Nonconformist interpretations, such as those by Matthew Henry, stress the comprehensive nature of training, which includes catechizing, initiating, and maintaining discipline to guard children from the "sins and snares" of their age [10]. Methodist interpretations, like Adam Clarke's commentary on Ephesians 6:4, highlight the balance between correction and love, warning against severity that could harden children and emphasizing that true correction stems from a principle of love, not revenge [15]. Presbyterian scholars, such as Jamieson, Fausset & Brown, also align with the understanding that discipline is for the child's benefit and is a mark of God's fatherly care [8, 12].

Common confusions regarding discipling children often revolve around the nature of discipline itself. It is not to be equated with abusive or excessively harsh punishment, which can provoke children to wrath [9, 15]. Instead, biblical discipline is framed as an act of love and instruction, aimed at the child's spiritual and moral formation [14]. The goal is to nurture children in a way that leads them to fear God, remember Him, and honor their parents, ultimately partaking in the promises of God [7, 4]. The instruction of children is also linked to the broader purpose of Scripture, which is designed to lead individuals to good works [6].

Sources

  1. Hebrews “It is for discipline that you endure. God deals with you as with children, for what son is there whom his father doesn’t discipline? -- Hebrews 12:7”
  2. Proverbs “Discipline your son, for there is hope; don’t be a willing party to his death. -- Proverbs 19:18”
  3. Proverbs “Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it. -- Proverbs 22:6”
  4. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Children, Good — The Lord is with -- 1Sa 3:19. Know the Scriptures -- 2Ti 3:15. Observe the law of God -- Pr 28:7. Their obedience to parents is well pleasing to God -- Col 3:20. Partake of the promises of God -- Ac 2:39. Shall be blessed -- Pr 3:1-4; Eph 6:2,3. Show love to parents -- Ge 46:29. Obey parents -- Ge 28:7; 47:30. Attend to parental teaching -- Pr 13:1. Take care of parents -- Ge 45:9,11; 47:12. Make their parents' hearts glad -- Pr 10:1; 29:17. Honour the aged -- Job 32:6,7. Adduced as a motive for submission to God -- Heb 12:9. Spirit of, a requisite f”
  5. Proverbs “Disciplinam Domini, fili mi, ne abjicias, nec deficias cum ab eo corriperis : -- Proverbs 3:11”
  6. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Works, Good — Christ, an example of -- Joh 10:32; Ac 10:38. Called Good fruits. -- Jas 3:17. Fruits meet for repentance. -- Mt 3:8. Fruits of righteousness. -- Php 1:11. Works and labours of love. -- Heb 6:10. Are by Jesus Christ to the glory and praise of God -- Php 1:11. They alone, who abide in Christ can perform -- Joh 15:4,5. Wrought by God in us -- Isa 26:12; Php 2:13. The Scripture designed to lead us to -- 2Ti 3:16,17; Jas 1:25. To be performed in Christ's name -- Col 3:17. Heavenly wisdom is full of -- Jas 3:17. Justification unattainable by -- Ro 3:20; Ga 2”
  7. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Children — Christ was an example to -- Lu 2:51; Joh 19:26,27. Are a gift from God -- Ge 33:5; Ps 127:3. Are capable of glorifying God -- Ps 8:2; 148:12,13; Mt 21:15,16. Should be Brought to Christ. -- Mr 10:13-16. Brought early to the house of God. -- 1Sa 1:24. Instructed in the ways of God. -- De 31:12,13; Pr 22:6. Judiciously trained. -- Pr 22:15; 29:17; Eph 6:4. Should Obey God. -- De 30:2. Fear God. -- Pr 24:21. Remember God. -- Ec 12:1. Attend to parental teaching. -- Pr 1:8,9. Honour parents. -- Ex 20:12; Heb 12:9. Fear parents. -- Le 19:3. Obey parents. -- Pr ”
  8. Hebrews (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Hebrews 12:7: In Heb 12:7-8 the need of "chastening" or "discipline" is inculcated; in Heb 12:9, the duty of those to whom it is administered. If--The oldest manuscripts read, "With a view to chastening (that is, since God's chastisement is with a view to your chastening, that is, disciplinary amelioration) endure patiently"; so Vulgate. ALFORD translates it as indicative, not so well, "It is for chastisement that ye are enduring." dealeth with you--"beareth Himself toward you" in the very act of chastening. what son is he--"What son is there" even in ordinar”
  9. Ephesians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Ephesians 6:4: 6:4 Fathers can often provoke their children to anger by being harsh or unjust (see Col 3:21). Parents should give their children the discipline and instruction that comes from the Lord (or the discipline and instruction about the Lord) so that they will learn a way of living that is good and pleases God. Such discipline is not to be excessive, but loving and gentle, so that children are not turned from the Lord but are drawn to him (cp. Heb 12:5-11).”
  10. Proverbs (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Proverbs 22:6: Here is, 1. A great duty enjoined, particularly to those that are the parents and instructors of children, in order to the propagating of wisdom, that it may not die with them: Train up children in that age of vanity, to keep them from the sins and snares of it, in that learning age, to prepare them for what they are designed for. Catechise them; initiate them; keep them under discipline. Train them as soldiers, who are taught to handle their arms, keep rank, and observe the word of command. Train them up, not in the way they would go (the bias of their corrupt ”
  11. Proverbs (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Proverbs 20:11: The conduct of children even is the best test of principle (compare Mat 7:16).”
  12. Titus (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Titus 2:12: Teaching--Greek, "disciplining us." Grace exercises discipline, and is imparted in connection with disciplining chastisements (Co1 11:32; Heb 12:6-7). The education which the Christian receives from "the grace" of God is a discipline often trying to flesh and blood: just as children need disciplining. The discipline which it exercises teaches us to deny ungodliness and worldly lusts, and to live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world (Greek, "age," or course of things) where such self-discipline is needed, seeing that its spirit is oppos”
  13. Ephesians (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Ephesians 6:1: Here we have further directions concerning relative duties, in which the apostle is very particular. I. The duty of children to their parents. Come, you children, hearken to me, I will teach you the fear of the Lord. The great duty of children is to obey their parents (Eph 6:1), parents being the instruments of their being, God and nature having given them an authority to command, in subserviency to God; and, if children will be obedient to their pious parents, they will be in a fair way to be pious as they are. That obedience which God demands from their childr”
  14. Proverbs (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Proverbs 13:24: 13:24 Punishment is sometimes necessary to motivate instruction. Discipline is a product of love, whereas refusal to discipline one’s child is a sign of laziness (see also 19:18; 23:13-14; 29:17).”
  15. Ephesians (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Ephesians 6:4: Fathers, provoke not your children to wrath - Avoid all severity; this will hurt your own souls, and do them no good; on the contrary, if punished with severity or cruelty, they will be only hardened and made desperate in their sins. Cruel parents generally have bad children. He who corrects his children according to God and reason will feel every blow on his own heart more sensibly than his child feels it on his body. Parents are called to correct; not to punish, their children. Those who punish them do it from a principle of revenge; those who correct them do it”
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