1. Discipline must be done in love. You don't discipline children when you're angry. Take a time out if you need to.

2. Discipline must do more than just correct. Discipline must always teach!

3. Discipline reflects a belief both in the sinfulness of humanity and in the grace of God. In other words, be appropriate in your discipline, don't go overboard. Remember God's mercy ...

4. Discipline teaches us as much about the discipliner as it teaches about the one being disciplined. As a parent it teaches me as much about me as it does about them.

5. Discipline is more than physical. So, if we use a physical means of discipline, we must explain our intent.

Woodrow Kroll: Let me suggest these things to you:

1) Even though Joseph's imprisonment continued, his influence grew.

See, eventually the chief butler would remember him. This incident would lead to his release, and it would lead to the elevation of Joseph before Pharaoh, even if it didn't lead to his immediate release.

Now, what does that mean? It means that sometimes we have to invest a little at a time in order to see God accomplish big things in our lives. You know, you plant some seed and you say, "Lord, bring it back a hundredfold." And it doesn't come back a hundredfold.

We're the product of small steps; not giant leaps. Someone asked me how long it took for me to prepare one of my studies here each day for Back to the Bible. And I always say it takes me about 50 years. See what I do is the product of years of self-discipline and study and failure and success and preparation and insight.

There is no instant gratification in God's will for your life, my friend. So, learn this from Joseph: Even though he was imprisoned and his imprisonment continued, while he was in prison his influence grew and that's important.

2) Joseph's faith in God never wavered while he was in prison.

His only thought was to please God regardless of where he was or what people did to him. So like Paul he had learned that godliness with contentment is great gain. He could say as did the apostle to the Philippians, "I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content." Philippians 4:11.

Susannah Wesley was a remarkable woman, the wife of a struggling Anglican clergyman in the late 17th century and the mother of 19 children. She was determined to raise her children in godly wisdom and discipline, overseeing every aspect of their education. And it had good effect: her two most famous children were John, an itinerant evangelist and theologian who started the Methodist movement; and Charles, a gifted musician and prolific hymn-writer.

Susannah is well-known for these six rules for raising children:

1. Subdue self-will in a child and work together with God to save his soul.

2. Teach him to pray as soon as he can speak.

3. Give him nothing he cries for and only what is good for him if he asks for it politely.

4. To prevent lying, punish no fault which is freely confessed but never allow a rebellious, sinful act to go unnoticed.

5. Commend and reward good behavior.

6. Strictly observe all promises you have made to your child.