Godly Homes in an Ungodly World (12) The Role of Children

God’s Word & Children Prov. 27:11 Prov. 20:11 Prov. 10:1 Prov. 17:25 Eccl. 12:1

Ephesians 6:1-3 “Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 2 “Honor your father and mother,” which is the first commandment with promise: 3 “that it may be well with you and you may live long on the earth.”

Ephesians 6:1-3 “Children, obey your parents” Obedience is a principle every Christian must understand (2 Thess. 1:8) Obey your parents – Prov. 30:17

Ephesians 6:1-3 “Children, obey your parents” Disobedience – Rom. 1:30, 2 Tim. 3:2 Consider elders, deacons – Titus 1:6, 1 Tim. 3:12

Ephesians 6:1-3 “Children, obey your parents” A command without conditions* – Col. 3:20 – in all things The reward of obedience – good habits, trust, due praise, pleasing to God.

Ephesians 6:1-3 “Children, obey your parents” “In the Lord” – as He has instructed “For this is right” *The one exception – Ac. 5:29 Even in this, you must obey in all other things

Ephesians 6:1-3 “Honor your father and mother” Based on The fifth commandment – Ex. 20:12 “The first commandment with promise” – promises offered if it is performed - preservation

Ephesians 6:1-3 “Honor your father and mother” By obeying them The first sign of respect! Prov. 6:22 Do your best in fulfilling what they ask of you (cf. Col. 3:23)

Ephesians 6:1-3 “Honor your father and mother” By listening to them Every parent was your age! Prov. 3:1, 23:22-25

“Honor your father and mother” By Respecting them Ephesians 6:1-3 Show them respect: Don’t talk back or constantly argue with them Don’t speak badly of them with your friends List to their advice and consider it Realize they DO love you Obey them, even when they are not around “Honor your father and mother” By Respecting them Mannerisms & speech Prov. 30:11, 17; Lev. 19:3, 32

Ephesians 6:1-3 “Honor your father and mother” By Respecting them What about unfaithful or abusive parents? If they have wronged you they will answer to God, but they are still your parents! (cf. Matt. 5:44) The command has no conditions!

Ephesians 6:1-3 “Honor your father and mother” By being grateful Gratitude needed by all – Phil. 4:11, 1 Tim. 6:6, Col. 3:15 Consider what you DO have and what they have done for you Say “thank you” “I love you”

Be willing to provide for them in later years Ephesians 6:1-3 “Honor your father and mother” Be willing to provide for them in later years Matt. 15:1-6, 1 Tim. 5:4, 8 Don’t abandon your parents in their fragile years!

Ephesians 6:1-3 “Honor your father and mother” By Serving God Nothing will mean more to godly parents than for you to obey your gospel (for right reasons) Prov. 23:24-25

May we each strive to fulfill whatever role we are privileged to partake of within our homes according to God’s will