# Discipline (To Disciple)

The word “discipline” is used to talk about training a person to do what is right. This includes punishing a person if they do what is wrong. Parents discipline their children so that their children will obey them and grow to become adults who do what is right (see: Proverbs 29:15, 17; Ephesians 6:4). 

God also disciplines his people to help them to live in a way that honors God and to produce good fruit. Sometimes God disciplines his people by allowing them to experience trials and suffering (see: 1 Corinthians 11:32; Hebrews 12:4-11). 

A person can also discipline themselves or have “self-discipline.” That is, the person has self-control and will do what is right even when tempted to do what is wrong.

Sometimes people use the words “to disciple” or “discipleship” to talk about teaching a person to become a better disciple of Jesus, that is, teaching the person to obey Jesus more and more.

See: Grow in Faith; Fruit (metaphor); Trial; Self-Control; Tempt (Temptation); Disciple