In my last post I mentioned how disciplining your kids with God’s Word can make your mothering so much easier. And apparently that peaked so many mothers’ interests. I have had so many questions since then about how I do this and if I can share examples. So that’s what this post is going to be.
God gives us His Word “for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.” (1 Tim. 3:16b-17)
And I believe that includes training, correcting, and disciplining our kids.
Like I said in my previous blog post, your little ones are hungry for truth. So why not feed them Scripture? It’s so much better than our own words.
So let’s get into how I use God’s Word to instruct and discipline my toddlers.
Since my oldest is only three I feel like I keep which verses I use very simple. I mostly concentrate on the fruits of the Spirit and use verses that explain certain ones.
“Be kind to one another.” (Eph. 4:23)
“A gentle tongue is a tree of life.” (Prov. 15:4)
“Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.” (Rom. 12:10)
“Strive for peace with everyone.” (Heb. 12:14)
Besides concentrating on the fruits of the Spirit throughout most every day I will also bring up verses about being afraid, needing to obey, not sinning in our anger, and anything else that may just come up randomly as they develop and learn new things. Here are just a few verses I use regularly.
“For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.” (2 Tim. 1:7)
“Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” (Isa. 41:10)
“Be strong and courageous. Do not fear.” (Duet. 31:6)
“Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.” (Eph. 6:1)
“Be angry and do not sin.” (Eph. 4:26)
Now I will try to give an example of when and how I use God’s Word to discipline my kids.
Every moment will look different. Sometimes I will just remind them to be kind and gentle or to use self control real quick. But most moments will call for me to stop what I’m doing, go to them, get on their level, and instruct with Scripture.
Let’s play an example out.
If my kids are getting into an argument over a toy that one of them is playing with and it quickly turns into hitting, pushing, or screaming in anger I will usually have to take the toy away first or return it to the one who was originally playing with it. Then I will turn my attention to the kid who was doing the wrong.
I will say something along the lines of “are you showing your brother love when you are hitting him on the head? No you’re not. You are being unkind and reacting on your anger. And the Lord tells us to be angry but not to sin. That is sinning. So how can you act now? You can tell him you are sorry for hitting him and then be patient for your turn with the toy.”
As of right now I will try to get them to repeat as much of the verse as they can after I talk to them, but they are still very young.
So in this case I may say “the Lord tells us to be angry but do not?” And they will finish with “sin.”
Or I will say a lot “you love your brother more than we love your?” And they will say “toys.”
And I will say, teach your kids God’s Word outside of times of conflict and discipline.
If they know the verses about being kind, using self-control, not being afraid, and anything else they will understand what you are telling them quicker during those times of discipline.
I’ve been trying to introduce a new verse to our kids every week and we will recite it just about everyday. And right now I try to pick simple verses that will be relevant to our everyday learning. So like the ones I shared up above.
Lastly this is a reminder for you, mama. Stay in God’s Word.
You will be able to quote the verses needed for every situation that either you or your children need if you are regularly in God’s Word.
We are going to need Scripture just as much as our kids do. We are still learning and being discipled by our Heavenly Father. So don’t forget your sinful nature and need for God’s Word as you are disciplining your kids.
This is the last thing I’ll share. There is this booklet that I keep on our refrigerator to help me in times of instructing my kids. It is filled with almost every disciplining situation you would come across and verses to use in those situations. It has already helped me so much in my mothering!
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