Together in Christ: 'Disciplining Our Children' — Proverbs 29:17

Saturday, November 1, 2025

Discipline your children, and they will give you peace of mind and will make your heart glad.

Key Thought

As a parent and grandparent, I understand the foundational truth on which our verse is built. When we parent our children well and discipline them properly, our children learn self-discipline. This investment in our children gives us peace of mind as they grow into adulthood. We look at the trajectory of their lives, and our hearts rejoice. Why? Because we know they have the tools and experience to make the right decisions, live moral lives, and pursue good things. Even when they might mess up along their way, we know their detour is an aberration from their general lifestyle, character, and training.

As parents, we want to train our children in the way they should live their lives, [1] and not be overly harsh with them in our discipline. [2] We commit to conducting our own lives with character and faith as we help them grow in the ways of God and build their lives on God's truth. [3] While we know there are no guarantees that they won't stumble and fall later in their walk with God - after all, we all sin, falter, make unwise decisions, and struggle with faith, at times - we are confident they have a great foundation in God, and if they rebel, they know they can come home to God and us, because of our love and God's grace. [4]

Today's Prayer

Father, I pray for parents raising children in today's world. Please fill them with wisdom as they rely upon the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Give them godly courage to guide and correct their children when needed, love and affirm them to help them know their worth, and discipline them consistently as their children grow into adulthood. Our world has many temptations and dangers, so parents need Your guidance and help to live consistently with righteous character, gracious compassion, and steadfast love before their children as they call their children to those same values. Please bless parents and children, I ask, in Jesus' name. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

  • Ephesians 6:1-4; Colossians 3:20-21
  • 2 Timothy 1:5-7, 3:10-17

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Illustration

Illustration of Proverbs 29:17 NLT — Discipline your children, and they will give you peace of mind and will make your heart glad.

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About This Devotional

Together in Christ is a daily devotional that focuses on what Scripture teaches about godly living in relationships.

'Together in Christ' is written by Phil Ware.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.