“And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord,”  Ephesians 6:4.

3. Bible extols the merits of discipline. 

Pro 22:15, 23:13-14, 29:15, 17.  The fact that evil men are against it argues its merits!

4. Admonish speaks of the positive aspect of discipline. 

Admonish = nouthesia (noo-thes-ee’-ah). It has to do with the mind and its instruction.

1. Train early.  

2 Tim 3:15, Deut 6:6-7.

2. Diligently. 

The soul of your dearest is at stake, Pro 19:18. 

3. Patiently. 

Time is required. Deut 6:20-25. 

4. Prayerfully. 

5. Lovingly. 

Hebs 12:6.

III. PLEASE NOTE WHAT MUST BE AVOIDED

“Provoke not.” “Exasperate, irritate.” Note that the thing to be avoided is mentioned first! It is all too common!

1. Avoid undue violence. 

2. Inconsistent administration. 

Either between father’s ‘moods’ or between mother and father’s differing attitudes.

3. Frustration. 

Taking it out on the child is all too common. Remember a good family is a good witness in a day of apostasy. “Behold, I and the children whom the LORD hath given me are for signs and for wonders in Israel from the LORD of hosts, which dwelleth in mount Zion,” Isaiah 8:18.