As to the age, look in Prov 19:18 :

"Discipline your son in his early years while there is hope. If you don't you will ruin his life." (TLB)

No actual age is mentioned, leaving that up to the parent's discretion. However, it is absolutely vital that you instill attitudes of respect into your child before they reach school age for those who will be in authority over them, such as their parents, teachers, policemen, etc. That way, they will already have that attitude as they grow up and come into contact with other adults.

" Discipline your children, and they will give you happiness and peace of mind, or he will give you rest; he will give delight to your heart." (Prov 29:17-18, RSV)

Then consider the next verse 18:

"When people do not accept divine guidance, they run wild. But whoever obeys the law is happy." (NLT)

This would also include a principle of when a child accepts the parents guidance, they will not run wild. When they obey they will be happy.

The most important thing for a child to learn when he/she is very young is first of all that he/she is loved, and secondly, the need to obey their parents. Consider this admonition to us as adults in the New Testament Book of Hebrews:

" And have you entirely forgotten the encouraging words God spoke to you, his children? He said, "My child, don't ignore it when the Lord disciplines you, and don't be discouraged when he corrects you. For the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes those he accepts as his children." As you endure this divine discipline, remember that God is treating you as his own children. Whoever heard of a child who was never disciplined?

"If God doesn't discipline you as he does all of his children, it means that you are illegitimate and are not really his children after all. Since we respect our earthly fathers [mothers] who disciplined us, should we not all the more cheerfully submit to the discipline of our heavenly Father and live forever? For our earthly fathers [mothers] disciplined us for a few years, doing the best they knew how. But God's discipline is always right and good for us because it means we will share in his holiness. No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening--it is painful! But afterward there will be a quiet harvest of right living [character] for those who are trained in this way. " (Hebrews 12:5-11, NLT)

To put it in modern vernacular 'What is good for the goose is good for the gander.' As the child grows into an adult they will always need to answer to someone, so it would be good to learn this early on. Look at this verse:

" He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son." (Revelation 21:7, KJV)

How will our children learn these things if they are not taught?

3. As for our society that considers spanking child abuse, we must be discrete when spanking in public. Our nation in general has gone so far away from God and His laws that they think that any kind of punishment is abuse. Both leaders and citizens alike also listened to the erroneous teachings of Benjamin Spock, MD (1903-1998) who advocated little physical discipline and was branded as the "father of permissiveness." It would be better not to spank in public, but to wait until we get home or to a private place. One thing you could do would be to give the child something to work for. For instance, offer a reward to be given at the return home, for good behavior while you are out. If there is an infraction then no reward is given.

But whatever you do, never allow the child to go on being continually disrespectful and having the control in all situations. Take your child-rearing concerns in prayer to God the Father, our perfect parent. Then be patient and do the best you can, always seeking God's advice and guidance from His Word.

Other Recommended Bible Study Materials:

• Which Bible is the BEST one for a child to read?
• Do Infants and Young Children Automatically have Salvation if they die?

Answer Given By: Rick/Eileen Beltz