Ephesians 6:4

NASB	NLT	VOICE
4 Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction in the Lord.	4 Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger by the way you treat them. Rather, bring them up with the discipline and instruction that comes from the Lord.	4 And fathers, do not drive your children mad, but nurture them in the discipline and teaching that comes from the Lord

The purpose of parental discipline should be to help their children grow into mature adults. If the parents are Christians, and then you should help your children grow into proper Christians. Parents should not drain the joy of life from their children or provoke them into anger and discouragement. Parenting with love and discipline takes a lot of patience and understanding. It’s easy to want to take an authoritative “I’m not your friend” route of parenting. This is effective, but you also need to work towards being patient and understanding with kids’ today, and I saw this a lot in my work in Youth and Children’s Ministry over the last ten years. Kids are good at understanding perspectives and reasoning behind why what they did was wrong and how they could do better. There’s no more of the “because I said so” mindset, because that doesn’t teach them anything. When they hear, “You did this, and it wasn’t right. We should do this instead.” Then there’s more respect and equality to that.

Frustration and anger should not be causes for discipline. If you’re frustrated with your kids, do not take that frustration out on them. How they see you respond in your anger and frustration is what they will learn to do themselves, especially when it happens in a close relationship like that. Parents must act in love, treating their kids the same way Jesus would treat them. Parents must also be ready to give instruction and encouragement that is helpful to learning how to live a Christlike life.

Colossians 3:21

NASB	NLT	VOICE
21 Father, do not antagonize your children, so that they will not become discouraged.	21 Father, do not aggravate your children, or they will become discouraged.	21 Fathers: don’t infuriate your children, so their hearts won’t harbor resentment and become discouraged.

Fathers, in this context, refer to the male head of the household. They were the ones who had authority and responsibility in the home, the one who was the primary disciplinarian and provider. The instruction mentioned here is a call for fathers to use their authority with loke and patience. God wants families to be a nurturing environment – using the fruits of the Spirit like love and gentleness. The context of the Colossian church often saw harsh discipline, but Paul is calling the church, and us for a more compassionate approach. Discouragement can lead to a lack of motivation and hopelessness. The goal is to foster an environment where kids are valued and supported. Jesus emphasized the importance of nurturing faith and hope.

Encouragement is crucial in a child’s development. Parents should focus on lifting up their kids’ strength and guiding them with wisdom and grace. Kids today are being brought up with social media. Social media often leads to an increased sense of comparison and a heightened awareness about their self-image. They need sources of encouragement, peace, and compassion in a world that sees themselves as just a number or a skill. They need people to see them as the person they are, as the person God created them to be. This is where you come in – to make sure the kids recognize the value in their existence, their value, and their humanity. To ensure they have a place of love and encouragement, wisdom and guidance, compassion and care.

Next slice of Manna: Manna for the Mind #228