Because the fourth verse of Ephesians 6 says it well. I like the King James version best because it uses “nurture” and “admonish.”
4 And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. (KJV)
Don’t worry about that term “admonish.” It does not have to mean bawl them out.
From the American Heritage Dictionary:
Admonish: To reprove gently but earnestly.
Nurture: To nourish; feed; educate; train; to help grow or develop; cultivate.
Don’t they together describe what parents do?
If you don’t like the King James style, try the Amplified Bible:
4 Fathers, do not irritate and provoke your children to anger [do not exasperate them to resentment], but rear them [tenderly] in the training and discipline and the counsel and admonition of the Lord. (Amplified)
Ephesians 6:4 parents:
- remember that their own behavior and words have consequences in their children’s lives;
- nurture their children: providing for their needs, thinking and planning and investing in their growth in all areas of life;
- admonish their children – — intentionally teaching, training and correcting them so that they grow up knowing who they are and whose they are.
