Raise Them in the Discipline and Instruction of the Lord (Ephesians 6:4)
Raise Them in the Discipline and Instruction of the Lord (Ephesians 6:4) 5/25/2025
The Bible says the world will become darker and more painful (Isaiah 60:2, 2 Timothy 3:1–5). Why is that? Fundamentally, it is due to humanity’s endless corruption driven by greed, and Satan’s destructive acts out of rage, knowing his time is short (Revelation 12:12).
But there’s also a problem in reality. The parent generation is not properly helping the next generation. Among the three ministries the church must do (multiethnic, healing, and remnants), the remnant ministry ultimately determines the future. That is why Jesus, while carrying the cross, said, “Do not weep for me, but weep for yourselves and your children” (Luke 23:28). That is why Jesus said to Peter, who had failed but was restored, “If you truly love me, feed my lambs” (John 21:15).
Today’s passage gives us a simple but profound manual on how to raise and help our children. It gives three commands. “Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but raise them in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.”
- It says, “Fathers.” This means that the responsibility for raising the next generation lies with fathers.
1) Just as God established a covenant with Adam first, He appointed husbands and fathers in the home to establish a covenant of the family. God called Noah, gave him grace, and established a covenant for his whole family (Genesis 6:8, 13, 18). God called Abraham, established a covenant (Genesis 12:1-3), and gave him the mission to pass down that covenant and blessings (Genesis 18:17–19). God called Jacob, made a covenant with him (Genesis 28:13-15), and blessed his children to become the twelve tribes of Israel (Genesis 49:1–33).
2) Then who is the wife? She is called to partake in enjoying this covenant and blessings, and to help deliver it to the next generation. That is why the man is the head of the woman, and the father is the spiritual priest of the family (in the world, called “patriarchy”). When men lose the spiritual authority, blessing, and mission God gave, the whole family loses blessing, suffers, and extreme feminism emerges. This is the responsibility of men – husbands and fathers.
- It says, “Do not provoke your children to anger.”
This is what all parents must not do, and in the extreme case, must repent for. Anger in the home spills into the world. “To provoke” means “to anger,” “to discourage,” “to drive to despair.”
1) In early childhood, it stems mainly from failing to meet the needs of children.
① A child (0–5 years) throwing tantrums or crying is expressing a need. Basic needs include mother’s love and milk, father’s comfort and protection, changing diapers, etc.
② In early school age (6–10), they want more time with parents (play, trips, camps). Favoritism is deadly. Peer relationships also become important. With parental help, they develop social skills when they meet challenges with friends.
1) In adolescence, it stems from lack of emotional connection and understanding.
① Adolescence is a stage of preparing for adulthood. With physical and emotional changes, they desire independence and self-reliance. Mood swings, loneliness, and depression are common during this emotional “shadow” stage.
② If their thoughts and opinions are ignored or dismissed, they feel disrespected and get angry. Problems arise when parents impose too much, criticize inconsistently, compare them to others, or make them overly dependent.
③ When parents cannot be a role model. Children also get angry when they see parents constantly angry, fighting, or modeling unbelief.
3) Lifelong issues occur when children don’t receive spiritual blessings or connection from parents.
① Without spiritual blessings passed down, children suffer spiritual problems later in life. They feel constantly oppressed (Acts 10:38), face blocked paths, and nothing works out. They struggle with depression, panic disorder, personality or mental issues.
② When they receive covenant and spiritual blessings through their parents, their lives become blessed, answered, and victorious. This is what I envied most in my youth growing up in a non-believing family. There are historical evidence of this as well (Wesley’s parents, Jonathan Edwards’ descendants, the prayers of General MacArthur’s mother, Rockefeller’s mother).
- It says, therefore, parents must raise children in the “discipline and instruction of the Lord.”
1) The Greek word for “Lord’s discipline” means to counsel, bless, and comfort through the Word.
① The world is increasingly hopeless and lost. That’s why God sendt us the Christ, and gave us the gospel Word. Only the Word of God in Christ is the eternal answer, the door, and the way (John 14:6, Romans 10:17).
② Parents must help children find life’s answers in this Christ and the word (John 19:30). We need to help them find direction through the Word (Psalm 119:105, Proverbs 22:6). Help them gain wisdom through the Word (Psalm 119:98–100). Help them find strength and comfort in crisis (Psalm 107:20) and challenge toward their future (John 15:7). Parents must first have the Word they hold onto as a covenant. Meditation is key. And you can share that Word (forum).
2) The word “instruction” also means “discipline,” “training,” and “setting an example through life.”
① Discipline and training are important. We must teach our children what they need to learn to change through the Word (2 Tim. 3:16–17). Children must not take lightly their parents’ discipline. It is God’s blessing for you.
② Parents must remember that their emotions, words, behavior, and choices have absolute impact on the next generation and train themselves. Children learn not just by words, but by watching their parents. They do as they see. They serve as they saw their parents serve. They yield as they saw their parents yield. They forgive as they saw forgiveness. They bless others as they saw blessings. They treat others as they see their parents treat others. That is why children are said to be a mirror of their parents. Continue listening to messages, reading books, attending seminars, and self-training (1 Timothy 4:15–16).
3) Most importantly, support them in prayer.
① Though we are lacking, we wait for the Holy Spirit to work in our lives, our children’s lives, and all future generations. This is the power of the throne, transcending time and space, the unprecedented and unstoppable power of light that breaks darkness.
② Examine how much you are praying for the church’s remnants (spiritual next generation). Especially, please pray for Remnant University. It will be a school to raise future leaders and pastors for our descendants.
Conclusion – God has entrusted every parent with their children. He has entrusted church leaders with the next generation of the church. He has entrusted every believer with the young children in the field. According to Psalm 127:3, may they become your eternal blessing, inheritance, and crown.
5.25.25 Raise Them in the Discipline and Instruction of the Lord