God's Instruction on Child Discipline
Abraham brought his children up in the Ways of the Lord by teaching them to practice righteousness in everything they did. He taught them to practice justice by not cheating, lying or bearing false witness against others (Gen. 18:19).
Children today also need to be taught to obey their parents. This is how they please the Lord (Col. 3:20). God’s word says that fathers, not mothers, have the major responsibility for disciplining their children, while mothers are to assist the fathers in regard to discipline. Fathers are commanded to bring up their children with discipline, instructing them how to please the Lord (Eph. 6:4). "For what son is there whom his father does not discipline?" (Heb. 12:7). That is quite a question in this day and age.
Here are a few Scriptures from God’s word you should consider before you start disciplining. Remember, discipline without love does not work (1 Cor. 16:14; Prov. 13:1; Eph. 6:4). God’s word says, "Poverty and shame will come to those who neglect discipline" (Prov. 13:18). "He who spares the paddle, hates his son" (Prov. 13:24). "Discipline your son while there is still hope" (Prov. 19:18). "Train up a child (with discipline) in the way he should go (God’s Way), even when he is old he will not depart from it" (Prov. 22:6). Foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child, but consistent discipline will remove it far from him (Prov. 22:15). "Reproof (discipline or correction) will give your child wisdom, but a child who gets his own way brings shame to his mother" (Prov. 29:15). "Correct your child and he will give you comfort (rest, peace)" (Prov. 29:17). If God is wrong about child rearing, then who can be right?
God is going to send the Prophet Elijah before Jesus Christ returns to this earth, before the great and terrible day of the Lord. His message will restore the respect of children to their fathers and turn the hearts of the fathers to their children. It will restore godly order in homes (Mal. 4:5-6). Let’s prepare now, fathers, so we will not be held responsible for child neglect by the Lord when He returns shortly (Luke 1:17; Acts 3:26).