1. THE FOURTH COMMANDMENT (God’s Representatives) Honor your father and mother, that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth. What does this mean? We should fear and love God that we do not dishonor or anger our parents and others in authority, but honor, serve, and obey them, and give them love and respect. Lesson 12

2. Aim: What does God teach us about those whom he has placed in authority over us?

3. 1. How does God emphasize the special importance of this commandment? Ephesians 6:2,3 “Honor your father and mother”—which is the first commandment with a promise—“so that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.”

4. 2.Which people has God placed in authority over us? Ephesians 6:1,2 Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. “Honor your father and mother”—which is the first commandment with a promise. In the home: Parents

5. 2.Which people has God placed in authority over us? Hebrews 13:7,17 Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith. … Have confidence in your leaders and submit to their authority, because they keep watch over you as those who must give an account. Do this so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no benefit to you. In the church: Pastors, elders, teachers

6. 2.Which people has God placed in authority over us? 1 Peter 2:13,14 Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human authority: whether to the emperor, as the supreme authority, or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right. In society: State or government

7. 3. What blessings does God give us through those people he places over us? 1 Timothy 5:8 Anyone who does not provide for their relatives, and especially for their own household, has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever. 1 Thessalonians 2:7 Instead, we were like young children among you. Just as a nursing mother cares for her children, Ephesians 6:4 Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord. From parents: Food, clothing, care, instruction in the Lord.

8. 3. What blessings does God give us through those people he places over us? 1 Timothy 4:16 Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers. Hebrews 13:7 Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith. From pastors and other church leaders: The Word of God, guidance

9. 3. What blessings does God give us through those people he places over us? Romans 13:3,4 For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and you will be commended. For the one in authority is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason. They are God’s servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. From leaders in government: Peace and order

10. 4.How does God want us to honor these people he has placed over us to provide us with blessings? Colossians 3:20 Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord. Hebrews 13:17 Have confidence in your leaders and submit to their authority, because they keep watch over you as those who must give an account. Do this so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no benefit to you. Titus 3:1 Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good,

11. 4.How does God want us to honor these people he has placed over us to provide us with blessings? Galatians 5:13 You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love. 1 Thessalonians 5:12,13 Now we ask you, brothers and sisters, to acknowledge those who work hard among you, who care for you in the Lord and who admonish you. Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other. Romans 13:7 Give to everyone what you owe them: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.

12. 4.How does God want us to honor these people he has placed over us to provide us with blessings? Leviticus 19:32 “ ‘Stand up in the presence of the aged, show respect for the elderly and revere your God. I am the L ORD. Proverbs 23:22 Listen to your father, who gave you life, and do not despise your mother when she is old.