Child Discipline: Pedagogical, Ethical, and Biblical Perspectives

This paper explores the discipline of children from a biblical, pedagogical, and ethical perspective. It argues that child discipline is fundamentally a parental responsibility grounded in Scripture and oriented toward the spiritual formation and moral development of the child. The study examines the biblical foundation of the family, emphasizing its divine origin and purpose, and highlights the role of parents as primary educators. Particular attention is given to the distinction between preventive and corrective discipline, as well as the theological implications of disciplinary practices, including the controversial issue of corporal discipline. Furthermore, the paper presents three primary methods of child education: personal example, formal instruction, and family-based spiritual formation. The study concludes that effective discipline must be motivated by love, guided by wisdom, and aimed at cultivating holiness, obedience, and maturity in the child.