The Home: An Institution For Child Training (4) by Pastor Faith Oyedepo

Topic — The Home: An Institution For Child Training (4)

Dear Reader,

This week, we will examine one of the essential parts of child training – Discipline!

Discipline means training a child to be obedient and self-controlled. It is important for you to understand that for child-training to be effective and efficient, discipline must be instilled. Until discipline is added to training, it remains only a teaching.

The Bible says: He openeth also their ear to discipline, and commandeth that they return from iniquity (Job 36:10). Two things are mentioned in this scripture: the opening of the ear to discipline and returning from iniquity. If you do not want iniquity to be associated with your children, first, you must open their ears to discipline.

Therefore, the place of discipline is of utmost importance in making child training effective. Lack of training makes a child susceptible to destruction. For instance, consider the story of Eli and his children; the Bible says: For I have told him that I will judge his house for ever for the iniquity which he knoweth; because his sons made themselves vile, and he restrained them not (1 Samuel 3:13). Eli, the priest, neglected child training; so, his two sons were destroyed and he too eventually died. That shall not be your portion in Jesus’ name!

Without hesitation, the best tool for effective discipline in your children is the Word of God (The Rod). The word “rod” in the Scripture can be interpreted in two ways, namely: the spiritual and physical rods.

The Spiritual Rod:

The Bible says: And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots (Isaiah 11:1). Also, Revelation 19:13 says: And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God. These scriptures refer to Jesus as the Rod and the Word of God.

The rod primarily means the Word of God. When I said the rod is a tool for discipline, I simply meant using the Word of God to discipline your children as it is much more powerful than any physical cane.

Now, the question is: How do I use the Word as a rod to correct my children? For instance, if your child misbehaves and you want to discipline him or her, you will need to first of all locate a scripture or two that will show that the actions of the child are wrong. Thereafter, you can call the child, sit down with him, and show him from the Word why his actions are wrong.

With the help of the Holy Ghost, let the child see the need to change his character. Make him/her realise that God is not pleased with such behaviour. This Word explained to him is Life. So, after you have done this, leave the child alone to think and act on the Word.

The Bible says: For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart (Hebrews 4:12).

Only the spiritual rod has the power to penetrate the soul and the spirit of a child and effect positive changes in him/her. From today, as you begin to use the spiritual rod in disciplining your children, positive changes shall materialise in Jesus’ name!         

The Physical Rod:

The Bible says: Withhold not correction from the child: for if thou beatest him with the rod, he shall not die. Thou shalt beat him with the rod, and shalt deliver his soul from hell (Proverbs 23:13-14). The physical rod is the physical cane. Once in a while, it may be necessary for you to use cane to discipline your children.

However, when using the cane to discipline, ensure that you do not overdo it. Do not bruise your children in the process of beating them. This instruction is necessary because some parents beat out of anger. By so doing, you have only satisfied yourself but have not properly trained a child.

When the physical rod is to be used, it should be used with care. Do not give room to careless beating. Note that the physical rod should be used occasionally, so that it does not become a way of life. In other words, the spiritual surpasses the physical rod.

To have access to the spiritual rod, you must be born again. To be born again entails confessing your sins and accepting Jesus as your personal Saviour and Lord. If you are ready for this new birth experience, please say this prayer in faith: Dear Lord Jesus Christ, I come to You today. I am a sinner. Forgive me my sins and cleanse me with Your Blood. I accept You as my Lord and personal Saviour. Make me a child of God today. Thank You for delivering me from sin and satan to serve the living God and thank You for accepting me into Your Kingdom.

Congratulations! If you prayed this simple prayer of faith with me, you are now born again and a child of God. He loves you and will never leave you. Read your Bible daily, obey God’s Word and seek Christian fellowship (John 14:21).

With this, you are guaranteed all-round rest and peace in Jesus’ Name! Call or write to share your testimonies with me through contact@faithoyedepo.org, 07026385437 OR 08141320204.

For more insight, these books authored by me are available at the Dominion Bookstores in all Living Faith Churches and other leading Christian bookstores: Raising Godly Children, Understanding Motherhood, Building A Successful Family and Success in Marriage (Co-Authored).

Pastor Faith Oyedepo is the wife of Bishop David Oyedepo, the founder of the Living Faith Church Worldwide a.k.a. Winners’ Chapel, and Senior Pastor of Faith Tabernacle, Canaanland, Ota, Nigeria.