EXPOSITION:
Discipline is an integral part of raising godly children, for we know that the “LORD disciplines those He loves” according to Proverbs 3:12. Thus, we should neither take discipline lightly nor become disheartened by it as the Lord “punishes everyone He accepts as a son” (Heb 12:5-6). And we know that God disciplines us for our good, so that we may share in His holiness. Likewise, when we are disciplined by our parents, we receive wisdom resulting in good character. In fact, even at a tender age children are able to discern that discipline is rooted in love. That is why children who grow up in homes without discipline often feel unloved and are more likely to disobey authority as they grow older.
Dr. James Dobson, America’s foremost family counselor says that discipline and training for the young is very paramount and must not be left to the teacher in the classroom, but must rather be the full responsibility of the parent. Daniel and his friends were able to make the right choices in life because they well trained and disciplined young men. The world they lived in is similar to ours today, therefore as youth of today we must learn from their example not to be influenced by the world but by the word of the Lord.