Training Up

Darius, aged 9 and an only son, always looked forward to his grandpa’s visits on weekends. That day, Darius asked grandpa to play chess with him.  During the game, Darius was playful and wasn’t taking the game seriously. 

“Checkmate,” grandpa said. 

Darius sulked. 

Darius’ dad (grandpa’s son-in-law) talked to grandpa later and said, “Next time you play with Darius, please make sure he wins. He’s still young and we need to encourage and affirm him.” 

Grandpa was heartbroken and thought silently, Am I of the old school? He had always believed that children, no matter how young, must be told they are wrong when they are. They should only be rewarded for things they do well. Otherwise, they would grow up thinking they are better than others, and worse, they can do haphazard work and still emerge a winner.  

Disciplining children is a must in the Bible. Proverbs 22:6 (NKJV) says, “Train up a child in the way he should go, And when he is old he will not depart from it.” 

Darius may have felt disappointed, but through his defeat, he was being taught by grandpa to play better next time.  

In Hebrews 12:11 (NLT), we read, “No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening—it’s painful! But afterward there will be a peaceful harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way.”  

Proverbs 13:24 minces no words, “He who spares his rod hates his son, But he who loves him disciplines him promptly."

Before he left for home, grandpa told his daughter in private, “This is your family and I do not mean to interfere in how to bring up Darius. But please look up what discipline is in the Bible—and see how your Mom and I brought you up.” 

Reflect and pray: 

How can I help young parents to practice discipline? 

ooo