In Scripture, parents—especially fathers—are told not to provoke their children or discourage them, but to raise them in the discipline and instruction of the Lord. In the Old Testament, Israel is commanded to pass on God’s words to children both in conversation and in daily life, while Proverbs speaks of instruction and discipline, including the word “rod.” These texts do not provide a specific modern parenting method.
What Does the Bible Say About This
- Paul addresses fathers: they must not provoke their children, but raise them in the discipline and instruction of the Lord (Eph. 6:4); fathers are also told not to provoke their children, so that they will not become discouraged (Col. 3:21).
- Israel is commanded to keep the words of the Lord in their hearts and teach them diligently to their children, speaking of them at home and on the road, when lying down and when rising (Deut. 6:6–9). These words were given to Israel in the context of the covenant.
- Proverbs says: “Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it” (Prov. 22:6). This is a proverb about instruction, not a guarantee that a child will never depart from the faith.
- Proverbs also speaks of discipline: whoever spares the rod hates his son, but whoever loves him disciplines him from childhood (Prov. 13:24); do not withhold discipline from a young person (Prov. 23:13–14); the rod and correction impart wisdom (Prov. 29:15).
- The author of Hebrews says that the Lord disciplines those He loves and compares God’s discipline with that of fathers: it is for our benefit, so that we may share in His holiness (Heb. 12:5–11).
The brief answer was prepared by the editorial team; the verse texts are from the Father’s Blessing Bible.
Key Scripture Passages
8 Scripture passages · Father’s Blessing Bible
Ephesians 6:4
And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.
Colossians 3:21
Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged.
Proverbs 22:6
Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old, he will not depart from it.
Deuteronomy 6:6–9
6 And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart [and in your soul]; 7 you shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise; 8 you shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes, 9 and you shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.
Hebrews 12:5–11
5 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 He rebukes you. 6 For whom the Lord loves He chastens, and scourges every son whom He receives. 7 If you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom a father does not chasten? 8 But if you are without chastening, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate and not sons. 9 Furthermore, if we respected our earthly fathers when they corrected us, should we not much more submit to the Father of spirits and live? 10 For they indeed chastened us for a few days as seemed best to them, but He for our profit, that we may be partakers of His holiness. 11 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.
Proverbs 13:24
He who spares his rod hates his son, but he who loves him disciplines him promptly.
Proverbs 23:13–14
13 Do not withhold correction from a child, for if you beat him with a rod, he will not die; 14 you shall beat him with a rod and deliver his soul from hell.
Proverbs 29:15
The rod and reproof give wisdom, but a child left undisciplined brings shame to his mother.
