Think of Your Children as Your Disciples

Discipline and punishment have become nearly synonymous in our language, but that has not always been true. Discipline and disciple come from the same root word and both have to do with learning and instruction. A disciple is a devotee, a pupil, a follower. In Christ's time, a disciple not only followed the master, but actually ate with him, slept beside him, and learned at his feet.

Our children are our disciples in a very real sense. They eat with us, sleep near us, and study our actions and reactions. Have you ever watched a young child talk to her dolls? She uses the same words and tone of voice as her mother does. Our challenge as parents is to be worthy teachers and examples. (From Getting Off the Parenting-Go-Round by Judy Grigg Hansen and Ronald J. Dent.)