1. The Development Of Self-Discipline In Children
The Young Child is continually withheld from many of his desires by physical limitations. We use
baby gates, fences, locks on doorways and cabinets (restricted places ), cribs, playpens, leashes,
and brief commands ("NO!" "yes !"). We carefully watch the young child; monitoring what he or she
sees, where he goes, and with whom he affiliates. These barriers are mainly for the purpose of
protecting the child through himself - from their own desire to seek his own may prior to an age
whenever he has knowledge, self-discipline, a fear of the Lord, or help from the Holy Spirit to resist
that which is harmful to him.
The School-Age Child continues to be in bondage under the elements of the world. Gal. 4:three
Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child. Prov. Twenty two :15a Having foolishness in his heart, he
is likely to behave the part of a fool - a fool hath no enjoy understanding, but that their heart may
discover itself. Prov. 18:2 he constantly desires to venture into the actual "department store" of the
flesh. NOthing is more dangerous than allowing a child to "discover himself " at this age. The
coronary heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it? Jer. Seventeen
:9 Being at the beginning of his "formal training" in self-discipline, he is relatively helpless at
controlling his own desires; and also the fleshly nature is thought to be a fascinating friend rather than
seen to contain no good thing. Rom. 7:18 As a parent, you must protect him from his own most
detrimental enemy - his flesh, and two other predatory opponents -- the world and the demon.
Childhood is the time to train your son or daughter in preparation for a life of self-denial (Mt. 16:24).
As parents, you must become an outer boundary that restricts the actual fleshly nature of the kid until
the time that he has established inner boundaries and has internal help from the Lord. The outside
obstacles must remain well past the crib-stage; the obstacles now becoming more directed at the
speech and actions (which arise from the thoughts). As a child gets older, curiosity about the outer
world and his body's wishes increases, and the pull from the inner fleshly nature gets to be more
demanding.
There is each and every indication in the Bible which God expects total psychological (2 Cor. 10:five )
and physical (1 Cor. 9:27a) self-discipline; the kind of discipline that leads one to present his body as
a living sacrifice (Rom. 12:1 ) and to take a determined stand for Jesus Christ (as did Daniel,
Jeremiah, Nehemiah, Moses, Paul, Christian martyrs (Heb. 11:32-38), etc.).
The traditional school setting has some advantages, although in several Christian schools the
disadvantages (peer influence, poor self-discipline, poor spiritual environment, and so on.) outweigh
the advantages. The advantages are those that greatly help to build mental and physical self-
discipline, and should end up being seriously considered by homeschool parents. Self-discipline in a
school is learned through:
1. The necessity of planning ahead to deliver books, homework, long-term assignments, etc. To
school complete as well as on time.
2. The delay of the physical gratification/needs of walking about, bathroom split, water, etc.
3. The delay of the physical satisfaction of eating (only at lunch).

2. 4. The denial of the desire to speak in order to concentrate on work.
5. The denial of the desire to talk so as to help others function.
6. The delay from the desire to speak to cooperate during group work.
7. Assignments totally dictated by the instructor.
8. The denial of comfort to one's body (sitting up on hard chairs).
9. A clean work environment (vs. Clutter, toys available, and so on.).
10. A day scheduled into definite, fixed time slot machines with limited time between classes.
The Teenage Years Rules - the outward barriers to speech and behavior, should, by the teenage
years, have become a schoolmaster to bring [your child] on to Christ (Gal. 3:24 ); not only in the
sense associated with Salvation secured, but coming to Jesus Christ for help with self-discipline.
Correction from his parents has, by this time, taught him that he is a sinner in need of Jesus Christ to
save him from eternal passing away in Hell. Prov. 23 :13,14 Later in the teenage years, he has
realized that outward control (nevertheless some barriers and discipline, but much more guidance)
combined with his own emerging self-discipline still fails to keep his flesh under control. He must
eventually notice that by himself he cannot "hang on" and do correct - especially in regard in order to
emotions and sexual desires. He is coming to the knowledge of for I know that in me (that is, in my
flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for in order to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is
good i find not. Romans seven :18
Trust in his parents to assist "keep" him controlled within speech, thoughts, and actions must now be
directed toward one who is able to help from within their heart. If, having accomplished this during the
teenage many years, he can now say i can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. Phil.
4:13 For thou hast been a shelter personally, and a strong tower in the enemy. Psalms 61:3 The
LORD is my personal strength and my protect ; my heart trusted in him, and I am helped : therefore
my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my tune will I praise him. Psalms 28:7 As he as soon as trusted in
his parents, a teenager should now place their trust in the Lord. Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be
not dismayed; for I am thy god : I will strengthen thee; yes, I will help thee; yes,I will uphold thee with
the right hand of my personal righteousness. Isaiah 41:10
Training in Self-Discipline
Your child "trusts in [his parents] with all [his] heart; and [must not] lean not unto [his] own
understanding." Prov. 3:5 As a mother or father, you are his guide, his protector (from the world, their
flesh, and the devil), and the external barrier to that which he desires to do that would develop poor
habits as well as, consequently, poor character. Unlearned and not foreseeing the future, a child
generally lives for today as a slave to his flesh. Parents must continuously be alert for possibilities to
direct the mind toward a structured, Biblically-based, inner control of ideas, speech, and actions.
Outward Discipline to Establish Inner Thoughts
1. Protect your child from a knowledge of sin. I maybe have you wise unto that which is nice, and
simple concerning evil. Romans 16:19
2. Protect your son or daughter from excessive thoughts about or interest in the things of this
world. And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out, they may have

3. had opportunity to have returned. Hebrews 11:15 Keep thy heart with all diligence ; for out of it are
the issues of life. Prov. 4 :23 "Keeping" a child's heart is the parents' responsibility !
3. Reconstruct verbalized thoughts when they reflect desires of the flesh. For as he thinketh in his
heart, same with he. Prov. Twenty three :7
4. Indoctrinate in the Scriptural basis and practical application of self-discipline. Deut. 6:six,7 Is.
30:20,21
5. Point out good examples leading to success and failure - from the bible and from life. Now all
these things happened unto them for ensamples: plus they are written for our admonition, upon whom
the ends of the world are come. 1 Cor. 10:11 1 nobleman 1:5,6 idol judges 14:3
Mental Self-Discipline
1. Expect mental effort - considering, reasoning; and memorization of verses, facts from topics,
poems, songs, etc. Your son or daughter's education should always have a measure of difficulty. Fun
in training has its place, but persistent work should be the main activity. Thou therefore endure
hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. 2 Timothy 2:3 Good education, by necessity, will involve
turmoil with the fleshly nature of the child.
2. Train your son or daughter to be subservient to another's will, while at the same time
instruction him to be cautious about choosing people to follow (strangers, etc.). Obey them that have
the actual rule over you, as well as submit yourselves. Heb. 13:17a Be sober, be vigilant; because
your foe the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, looking for whom he may devour. One Peter 5:8
3. Train your child to have a pleasant attitude in all things. Work as diligently on attitude as you
do on the training of bodily discipline. Then this Daniel was preferred above the actual presidents and
princes, because an excellent spirit was in him. Dan 6:3a And Jesus increased in knowledge and
stature, and in favor with God and man. (He was 12 at that time.) Luke 2:52
Physical Self-Discipline
1. Erect firm, consistent obstacles to unwanted actions. Demand desired actions when told the first
time! It is poor training to allow your child the "pleasurable sin" of delayed behavior training (calling
several times, counting to ten, etc.). Ep. 6:2
2. Impose discipline for repetitive infractions and encouragement for achievement (without inflating
self-esteem). Ec. 8:11
3. Indoctrinate within the Biblical basis for bodily self-discipline and teach the actual practical
application of physical self-discipline. 1 Cor.9:27
The Urgent Task
The time is actually short, and the days are evil! Ep. 5 :16 You have a brief opportunity (which is
sharply reduced at the arrival of the teenage many years ) to instill the mental "operating system" that
will guide your son or daughter for a lifetime. There is no time to "enjoy " the antics of a kid with little
self-discipline. Should you laugh and think that junior's undisciplined habits are "cute," you and he will
pay a dear price - a kid left to himself bringeth his mother to shame. Prov. 29:15 a child is not an
adult, nor may he be expected to have the self-discipline of an adult, but childhood is the time to train
the future grownup. View all training as preparation for future support for the Lord. Train a child to

4. become a useful servant from the Lord- strong in belief and in character! This is the parents'
responsibility, and is not to be assigned to the church or a religious school. Homeschool parents
possess a great advantage in character building, but many, due to weariness or perceived inability,
are ignoring character building while concentrating on child-centered academics.
It is going to be difficult to place a barrier around your child's fleshly nature. Each child will be
different; many will put up more of a "fight " in defense of fleshly desires. Those who do are, perhaps,
being prepared for any more difficult life of service for that Lord. Do not fail these children in their
preparation by utilizing excuses (hyperactivity, physical handicap, middle child, etc.).
A constant example must be arranged by the "trainers." While you might need to let down your guard
as well as indulge in poor character, always remember that you must be able to say be ye followers of
me, even as I also am of Christ. 1 Cor. 11 :1
Training children in self-discipline takes much repetition training and consistency in correction and
discipline. Train upward a child in the way he should go : and when he is old, he'll not depart from it.
Prov. 22:6 the rewards of careful work to character building are great ! The "yield" is the peaceable
fruit of righteousness! Heb. 12:11 it is possible to produce a delightful teenager!
General Goals
1. To build a good inner restraint against the wishes of the flesh - by providing consistent outer
restraints as well as expecting habitual conformity. But I keep under my body, and bring it into
subjection. 1 Cor. 9:27a
2. To instill a fear of the actual Lord (which greatly stands for inner restraint); and to train to obey
as seeing him who is invisible. Heb. 11:27b Come, ye children, hearken unto me : I will teach you the
fear from the LORD. Ps. 34:11 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise
wisdom and instruction. Prov. 1:7
3. To encourage a total trust in the Lord for power and direction (recognizing which help with
restraint is necessary). Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not really unto thine own
understanding. Prov. 3:5 to LORD, I know that the clear way of man is not in themself : it is not in
man that walketh to direct his steps. Jer. 10:23
Specific Goals
Self-Discipline is needed:
1. To be accountable for the use of time. One Peter 4:2
2. To learn to wait to speak. James one :19
3. To speak when shyness or fear inhibits. One Thes. 2:4
4. To understand to weigh thoughts very carefully before speaking. Ps. Thirty four :13 Prov. 13:3 ;
21:23
5. To be able to perform unpleasant tasks without distress. 2 Tim. 2:3
6. To be able to use the mind to memorize required material. Prov. 10:14 Ps. 119:11
7. To be able to endure difficult trials. James 1:2,3
8. To learn to perform unpleasant habits.
9. To have bodily self-restraint. 1 Cor. 9 :27

5. 10. To keep thyself real. 1 Tim. 2:22 Phil 4:8
11. To keep rule over his own spirit (emotions). Prov. 25:28
12. To complete a project from inception to completion. Ec. 10:18
13. To deny the lust of the skin (unavailable/wrong material or physical desires). Luke 9:23
14. To delay legitimate self-gratification; to be content with withheld desires. Phil. 4:11,12
15 to work with no expectation of instant reward. Gal. 6:9
16. To joyfully submit to another rather than to seek one's own will. Ps. 40:8
17. To eat what is set prior to him with contentment. Phil. 4:11
18. To rely upon the LORD with all thine heart ; and lean not unto thine own understanding. Prov. 3:5
19. To deny feelings and choose to do what's right. 1 Kings 18 :21
20. To give up a freedom so as not to offend another person. 1 Cor.8:13
21. To build up mental discipline (Disciplined mind Disciplined body). 2 Cor. 10:5
22. To continue in work despite personal physical rebellion. Lam. 3 :27
23. To be a servant instead of a master. Mt. 23:11
24. To be accountable for one's individual name and family name (testimony). Prov. 22:1
26. To receive correction and discipline with a good attitude. Prov. Three :11; 15:10
27. In order to cooperate with the needs of others - to concede his needs for the advantage of a
group. Ps. 133:1
28. To maintain a Godly value system that directs daily decisions. Gen. 24:33 Col. 3:2
29. In order to submit to an unpleasant master. 1 Peter 2:18
30. To develop a mental alertness. One Peter 5:8
31. To be able to refuse negative peer pressure. Former mate. 23:2
Daily Plan
Consistent Example Be ye followers associated with me, even as I also am of Christ. 1 Cor. 11:1
Consistent Teaching The proverbs of Solomon the son of David, king of Israel; To know wisdom
and instruction; to see the words of understanding; to receive the instruction of knowledge, justice,
and judgment, and equity; To give subtilty to the simple, to the young man knowledge and discretion.
Prov. 1 :1-4
Consistent Training and Maintenance Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he's old,
he will not go away from it. Prov. Twenty two :6 Because sentence against an evil work is not really
executed speedily, therefore the coronary heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to perform evil.
Ec. 8:eleven Withhold not correction in the child: for if thou beatest him with the fishing rod, he shall
not die. Prov. 23:13 Wherefore I will not be negligent to place you always in remembrance of those
things, though ye know them, and be established in our truth. Yea, I think it fulfill, as long as I am in
this tabernacle, to stir you upward by putting you within remembrance. 2 Peter 1 :12,13
Implementing Goals
For every goal that you desire to be fulfilled in your child, make a particular, long-range plan to see
your objective accomplished. Follow the design of:
EXAMPLE --TEACHING--TRAINING.

6. SAMPLE: Goal #1: self discipline is needed to be accountable for the use of time.
Example: Be conscious of time in your own life. Show a concern for your own use of time. Be on time
to church, appointments, class, etc. Do not waste time! Ep. 5:16
Teaching: Expect household jobs to be done without stopping to play or to talk to others. Expect
schoolwork to be done without wasting time (playing with pencils, walking around, talking,
daydreaming, etc.) As your children get older (old enough to easily tell the time as well as own a
watch), expect these phones be ready for church on time (without having to be told), get up on time
(with the use of an alarm clock), plan ahead to be ready for a specific bedtime, set the actual table
prior to an hired time, be in from outside perform at a certain time, etc. Teach your child the value of
time - how to use it sensibly, how to plan ahead, and how to function to meet deadlines and agendas
(long and short-range). Get him to memorize verses having to do with period, laziness, slothfulness,
sluggishness, disloyality, etc. (Prov. 24:38-30-34; 18:9; 26:fourteen )
Training: Discipline in some manner when a responsibility to a certain time is avoided, overlooked, or
forgotten. Let your son or daughter know that excuses such as "i forgot" will not be accepted!
discipline for wasted time whenever he is expected to be working (set time aside from free/recess
time, etc.)
Maintaining Boundaries
1. Physical self-discipline, when necessary. He which spareth his rod hateth his son: but he that
loveth him chasteneth him betimes. Prov. 13 :24 Foolishness is sure in the heart of a child; but the
rod of correction shall drive it far from him. Prov. 22:15
2. Withdrawing a normal privilege-a withdrawn blessing due to a failure in the obligation to do that
which was taught. Whenever self-discipline fails, the old character will be reinforced/encouraged-
because the pleasures of sin were allowed without any unpleasant consequences. In the event that
unpleasant consequences are not arranged by parents now, the actual unpleasant consequences will
come once the child becomes an adult. (Ec. 8:11)
3. Natural consequences - those unfortunate things that happen as a result of disobedience
(perhaps disobedience that is not instantly discovered by a parent). Attributed to God, we would also
refer to this as "learning the hard way-by experience." Being confident of this very thing, that he which
hath begun a good are employed in you will perform it before day of Jesus Christ. Phil. 1:6 for this is
God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure. Phil. Two :13
Jeremiah 29