Complete Bible Study Guide
What Does the Bible Say About Child Discipline?
11 Scripture references with full text and commentary
Understanding Child Discipline in the Bible
Discover 11 powerful Bible verses about child discipline. Study what Scripture teaches about this essential love & relationships topic.
Top 10 Verses About Child Discipline
- 1Proverbs 13:24
“He that spareth his rod hateth his son: but he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes.”
KJV - 2Proverbs 19:18
“Chasten thy son while there is hope, and let not thy soul spare for his crying. for: or, to his destruction: or, to cause him to die”
KJV - 3Proverbs 22:6
“Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it. Train: or, Catechise in: Heb. in his way”
KJV - 4Proverbs 22:15
“Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child; but the rod of correction shall drive it far from him.”
KJV - 5Proverbs 23:13
“Withhold not correction from the child: for if thou beatest him with the rod, he shall not die.”
KJV - 6Proverbs 29:15
“The rod and reproof give wisdom: but a child left to himself bringeth his mother to shame.”
KJV - 7Proverbs 29:17
“Correct thy son, and he shall give thee rest; yea, he shall give delight unto thy soul.”
KJV - 8Ephesians 6:4
“And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.”
KJV - 9Colossians 3:20
“Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well pleasing unto the Lord.”
KJV - 10
Old Testament: What Does the Bible Say About Child Discipline? (7 Verses)
“He that spareth his rod hateth his son: but he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes.”
“Chasten thy son while there is hope, and let not thy soul spare for his crying. for: or, to his destruction: or, to cause him to die”
“Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it. Train: or, Catechise in: Heb. in his way”
“Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child; but the rod of correction shall drive it far from him.”
“Withhold not correction from the child: for if thou beatest him with the rod, he shall not die.”
“The rod and reproof give wisdom: but a child left to himself bringeth his mother to shame.”
“Correct thy son, and he shall give thee rest; yea, he shall give delight unto thy soul.”
New Testament: What Does the Bible Say About Child Discipline? (4 Verses)
“And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.”
“Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well pleasing unto the Lord.”
“Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged.”
“Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby .”
How to Study What the Bible Says About Child Discipline
- 1
Begin by reading through every verse listed on this page, noting which ones speak most directly to your current season of life. Write them down and revisit them throughout the week.
- 2
Use a concordance or the search tools on this site to find additional passages about child discipline. Look for patterns across both the Old and New Testaments to gain a complete picture of what God reveals on this subject.
- 3
Study the context of each verse. Read the surrounding chapter to understand who was speaking, who the audience was, and what circumstances prompted the passage. Context prevents misapplication.
- 4
Memorise at least one key verse about child discipline and meditate on it daily. Scripture memory transforms thinking and equips you to apply God's Word in real-time situations.
Practical Application
Studying what the Bible says about child discipline is only the beginning. Scripture is meant to be lived out in daily obedience and faith. Here are practical steps to apply these truths:
Identify one area of your life where the biblical teaching on child discipline needs to be applied more consistently. Write a specific, actionable step you can take this week.
Share what you have learned about child discipline with a fellow believer or in a small group setting. Teaching others solidifies your own understanding and encourages mutual growth.
Pray through the key verses about child discipline, asking God to reveal how His Word applies to your relationships, decisions, and daily habits.
How Well Do You Know What the Bible Says About Child Discipline?
You have studied 11 verses about child discipline. Now test your knowledge with chapter-by-chapter quizzes covering the books where these verses appear.