DISCIPLINE MATTERS

Ephesians 6:1–4 NKJV

Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. “Honor your father and mother,” which is the first commandment with promise: “that it may be well with you and you may live long on the earth.” And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord.

Main Idea: Godly discipline is a necessary part of raising kids.

Key Question: Do you see discipline as a necessary part of raising kids?

1. Discipline begins with the right perspective. (v. 1-3)

Ephesians 6:1–3 NKJV

Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. “Honor your father and mother,” which is the first commandment with promise: “that it may be well with you and you may live long on the earth.”

Both the child and parent perspectives in play here.

Deuteronomy 5:16 NKJV

‘Honor your father and your mother, as the Lord your God has commanded you, that your days may be long, and that it may be well with you in the land which the Lord your God is giving you.

Colossians 3:20 NKJV

Children, obey your parents in all things, for this is well pleasing to the Lord.

Proverbs 1:8–9 NKJV

My son, hear the instruction of your father, And do not forsake the law of your mother; For they will be a graceful ornament on your head, And chains about your neck.

2. Discipline demands the right spirit. (v. 4)

Ephesians 6:4 NKJV

And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord.

“Provoke to wrath” — παροργίζω (parorgizō)

Meaning: to stir up anger, to exasperate, to irritate repeatedly

Not a one-time mistake — implies ongoing frustration

Often caused by inconsistency, harshness, or unreasonable expectations

Proverbs 15:1 NKJV

A soft answer turns away wrath, But a harsh word stirs up anger.

James 1:20 NKJV

for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God.

3. Discipline wins with the right focus. (v. 4)

Ephesians 6:4 NKJV

And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord.

Proverbs 22:6 NKJV

Train up a child in the way he should go, And when he is old he will not depart from it.

Proverbs 13:24 NKJV

He who spares his rod hates his son, But he who loves him disciplines him promptly.

Proverbs 22:15 NKJV

Foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child; The rod of correction will drive it far from him.

Proverbs 23:14–15 NKJV

You shall beat him with a rod, And deliver his soul from hell. My son, if your heart is wise, My heart will rejoice—indeed, I myself;

Proverbs 29:15 NKJV

The rod and rebuke give wisdom, But a child left to himself brings shame to his mother.

Hebrews 12:5–6 NKJV

And you have forgotten the exhortation which speaks to you as to sons: “My son, do not despise the chastening of the Lord, Nor be discouraged when you are rebuked by Him; For whom the Lord loves He chastens, And scourges every son whom He receives.”

Hebrews 12:10–11 NKJV

For they indeed for a few days chastened us as seemed best to them, but He for our profit, that we may be partakers of His holiness. Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.