Scriptural Punishment [One Minute Feature] - Trace Embry

I think I can speak for all of us when I say that we want our kids to read, and memorize, more of the Bible. What better way to help our kids memorize the Bible than by having them write out the passages?

The problem is, many parents have their kids write these passages as a form of punishment. Here’s why you shouldn’t use Scripture as a form of punishment, and what you can do, instead.

Why Parents Shouldn’t Use Scripture as a Form of Punishment

There are many mistakes we can make to drive our kids away from God and His Word. One of the most toxic things we can do is to use the reading or writing of scripture as a form of punishment. Perhaps you’ve heard a parent say something like, “Because you didn’t get the garbage out on time, give me Proverbs 19: 24—a hundred times.”

When kids relate Scripture to punishment, appetites for God are likely to diminish. What we can do, instead, is use Scripture to avoid a consequence or punishment. Giving our kids the option to paraphrase some pertinent Bible passages, in lieu of losing cell phone privileges, makes Scripture his savior rather than executioner.

Photo via: Linnaea Mallette