Together in Christ: 'Disciplining Our Children' — Proverbs 29:17

As a parent and grandparent, I understand the foundational truth on which our verse is built. When we parent our children well and discipline them properly, our children learn self-discipline. This investment in our children gives us peace of mind as they grow into adulthood. We look at the trajectory of their lives, and our hearts rejoice. Why? Because we know they have the tools and experience to make the right decisions, live moral lives, and pursue good things. Even when they might mess up along their way, we know their detour is an aberration from their general lifestyle, character, and training.

As parents, we want to train our children in the way they should live their lives, ^[1] and not be overly harsh with them in our discipline. ^[2] We commit to conducting our own lives with character and faith as we help them grow in the ways of God and build their lives on God's truth. ^[3] While we know there are no guarantees that they won't stumble and fall later in their walk with God — after all, we all sin, falter, make unwise decisions, and struggle with faith, at times — we are confident they have a great foundation in God, and if they rebel, they know they can come home to God and us, because of our love and God's grace. ^[4]