The purpose of discipline is to teach and correct someone in order to cause change from bad behavior to good behavior. In other words, regardless of who it is that is not behaving well, discipline is the tool that is used to correct them. Discipline says, “I love you enough that I must help you do what is right.” No one likes to discipline children, but it is a necessary part of maturing. We often associate discipline with punishment. Punishment is a necessary part of discipline, but the purpose is to show love in order to cause change. We discipline our children because we want them to do right.
The word disciple can mean two things. Used as a noun it means a follower. Used as a verb it means to teach or instruct others. You can see the similarity of the word disciple and discipline. If we remove the IN in DISCIPLINE, the word becomes DISCIPLE. When we discipline our children, we are teaching or instructing them to be followers of what is right. Good discipline in the home can bless a marriage and a family. Poor discipline in the home can create great stress for a marriage and a family. Applying good discipline in a home is a commitment of both the husband and the wife. Good discipline must be done together.