February 8, 2026

UNIT 2: Parents and Children

LESSON: 10

Study Text: Psalms 127:1 through 128:6; Proverbs 22:6, 15; 29:15; Ephesians 6:4; Hebrews 12:5-17

Central Truth: Parents should nurture their children in the ways of the Lord.

KEY Verse--Deuteronomy 6:6-7 These words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children (KJV).

You must commit yourselves wholeheartedly to these commands that I am giving you today. Repeat them again and again to your children (NLT).

LET'S GET STARTED

The topic of discipline is never far from mind for parents who are actively raising children. Godly parents are instructed by Scripture to discipline their children wisely and can find many resources to help. Parents should seek God's wisdom, humbly receive discipline themselves from their loving Heavenly Father, and help their children understand why correction is necessary.

DISCUSSION STARTER--It's Not Funny!

Disciplining young children is a serious matter, but occasionally parents struggle not to laugh when their children have a funny response. For example, one little boy told his mother, "I don't think Jesus' mommy grounded Him, so why are you grounding me?" Share some of your own humorous stories. ____________________________________________.

How can parents make the most of the time they have with their children? What is the most effective strategy for teaching and disciplining them to fear and wholeheartedly love the Lord? Scripture offers guidance to godly parents who understand the importance of teaching their children biblical truth--and demonstrating that truth in everyday life.

PART 1-Children Are Blessings

A heritage from the Lord                Psalm 127:3-5

Psalm 127--written by King Solomon, or possibly King David for Solomon--speaks of God's work in building houses, cities, and families. Some biblical scholars believe the first two verses of this chapter could refer to building a family, rather than building a physical dwelling place. The Hebrew word for "gift" in Psalm 127:3 is  nachalah, meaning, "inheritance, heritage, or possession." This kind of heritage has a sense of permanence. Children are placed in a family permanently as part of God's plan. Children are a gift and a blessing, not to be seen as a property or curse. We can learn valuable lessons from them as they are placed in our care by our loving God. The Psalmist went on to describe children as "arrows in a warrior's hands" 9verse 4). Just as a warrior in those times would shape and craft his arrows, so parents must shape and form their children with great skill. Charles Spurgeon said parents who do this will "see them shot forth into life to our comfort and delight, if we take care from the very beginning that they are directed to the right point."

? What are some ways parents can shape their children as warriors shape arrows?

Children Bring Joy           Psalm 128:1-6

Psalm 128 is recognized as one of the songs sung by travelers on their way to Jerusalem for yearly feasts. It starts with a promise: "How joyful are those who fear the LORD---all who follow his ways!"  (verse1). This promise of joy is for anyone--not just a parent--who fears and follows God. This holy fear should cause us to repent of things that offend God (Matthew 18:7-9), refuse to give into our own evil desires (1 Peter keep a clear conscience (Psalm 139:23; Hebrews 10:22), and remain sensitive to God's voice (Ephesians 4:30-32; Hebrews 12:14). As we follow these steps, our children are watching. Ideally, they will learn to live with a wholesome fear of God as well. When family's children are all present around the table, they brighten the home! What a blessing for parents to experience this joy (verse 4). Verse 6 adds, "May you live to enjoy your grandchildren." Grandparents can attest to this unique joy!

? How can you cultivate the fear of God in your life and your children's lives?

PART 2-Discipline and Instruction

Discipline with Love           Proverbs 22:6; 29:15

How can Christian parents find a path toward biblical, loving discipline? It begins with understanding the value of discipline. Proverbs 29:15 explains that the purpose of discipline is producing wisdom, while 13:24 simply says, "Those who spare the rod of discipline hate their children. Those who love their children care enough to discipline them." Loving parents must gently train their children to obey those in authority over them. In doing so, they are training their children to obey God. Another parenting principle is found in 22:6 "Direct your children onto the right path, and when they are older, they will not leave it." This is not a guarantee that our children will adopt our faith as their own when they become adults. Each person has their own free will and must decide for themselves whether they will serve God. Christian parents dedicate their children to God at the very start of their lives, then guide them on a godly path throughout their childhood and youth. The goal of godly discipline is to lovingly instill in our children a love for God and point them toward eternal life.

? In light of today's culture and attitudes toward biblical discipline, what methods of loving discipline work for your family?

Instruct with Love            Ephesians 6:4

While Paul's instruction is wise for both parents, it was uniquely framed for fathers in his time and location. The direction to fathers against provoking their children (Ephesians 6:4). was countercultural. He told fathers to set aside their legal rights and prioritize teaching their children how to serve God--a principle which applies to both parents. There are many ways parents can provoke their children. Neglecting to spend time with them could cause them to feel abandoned and lead to resentment. Losing our temper models anger in front of them. Children may become bitter if we scold too harshly, refuse to trust them, focus excessively on their faults, fail to listen, demand too much, discipline too severely, set double standards, become hypocritical, compare them to others, break promises, or show favoritism.  the better alternative in each case is to "bring them up with the discipline and instruction that comes from the Lord."

? What is the role of love in godly discipline? How can parents make sure their children know they are loved, no matter what else happens?

PART 3-Purpose of God's Correction

God's Loving Discipline           Hebrews 12:5-6

The author of Hebrews repeatedly uses family terms, like "father," "son," "brother," and sister." In chapter 11, the author honored the faith of some of God's children in the Old Testament--like Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Sarah, Joseph, Moses, and Rahab, just to name a few. In 12:5, the author begins to remind readers of what they might have forgotten. Just like our own children, we often need reminders of what the Father has said. The disciple we receive from God--and that our children receive from us--comes from love. We actively love our children when we discipline them in a godly manner. some children don't respond to being disciplined, even when it is meant for their protection and well-being. parents should continue to provide consistency and faithfully point their children toward Jesus. God shows us such grace, not giving up on us when we are slow to learn and hesitant to obey; we should show the same grace to our children.

? Which people mentioned in Hebrews 11 provide good examples of being loved and disciplined by God?

Benefits of Discipline             Hebrews 12:7-11

Some people struggle with seeing God as Heavenly Father because of their experiences with an earthly father who was not loving. However, our heavenly Father is the ideal in every way. he loves us beyond what any human could ever express and is everything a good father should be. Experiencing His loving correction is part of being His child (Hebrews 12:7-8). In verse 9, the author of Hebrews compared a human father's discipline with God's discipline. Even with the best intentions, human fathers are limited in knowing exactly what their children need, but God knows everything about us. He has our holiness in mind when he corrects us (verse 10). Sometimes we reject the idea of pain or don't think we deserve punishment.. But if we accept God's correction, we see a harvest. Fruit does not grow immediately; it takes time. This reminds us that we need to patiently await the results of discipline--whether we're receiving from God or giving it to our children.

? Why can it be difficult to accept discipline from God?

WHAT IS GOD SAYING TO US?

The discipline that comes from od is for our good. We  can accept it--and even embrace it--because it is a result of His love. we should follow God's example when correcting the children He has placed in our lives. The discipline we give should be motivated by a desire to help them grow in godliness. Just as God's discipline is a sign of His love for us, so our discipline is a sign of our love for our children.

LIVING IT OUT

Ask for the Holy Spirit's wisdom and courage as you loving to correct the children in your life.

DAILY BIBLE READINGS

               Monday: Teach God's Word.  Deuteronomy 6:20-25

          Tuesday: A Godly Father. 2 Chronicles 26:1-4

            Wednesday: A Godly Mother. Proverbs 31:25-31

          Thursday: A Mother's Intercession. Mark 7:24-30

             Friday: A Father's Forgiveness. Luke 15:17-24

                Saturday: Our Heavenly Father's Love. 1 John 3:1-3

RADIANT LIFE

Volume 107 Number 2 Dec. Jan. Feb 2025-26

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