2. Catechism The 4 th Commandment

3. 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.

4. The 4 th Commandment At times our parents punish us for something we have done wrong. Perhaps your mother said to you, “This punishment is going to hurt me more than it hurts you.” At the same time you may have wondered to yourself, “Is she serious?” Or “What does she mean by that?” In our lesson for today, we are going to see that God wants those whom he places over us (our authorities) to discipline us when we don’t obey them, or bless us when we do.

5. Today we ask the question…

6. Ephesians 6:2,3 "Honor your father and mother"-- which is the first commandment with a promise--"that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth." God emphasizes the importance of this commandment by adding a special promise to it.

7. Who are our authorities? Ephesians 6:1-2 Ephesians 6:1-2 Hebrews 13:7,17 Hebrews 13:7,17 1 Peter 2:13-14 1 Peter 2:13-14 Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. “Honor your father and mother”—which is the first commandment with a promise— Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith. Obey your leaders and submit to their authority. They keep watch over you as men who must give an account. Obey them so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no advantage to you. Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every authority instituted among men: whether to the king, 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.

8. We receive blessings from our authorities! (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. (Romans 13:3) 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 he will commend you. (1 Timothy 5:8) If anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for his immediate family, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever. (Ephesians 6:4) Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.

9. How are we to honor our authorities? (Colossians 3:20) Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord. (Galatians 5:13) You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love. (Proverbs 23:22) Listen to your father, who gave you life, and do not despise your mother when she is old.

10. How do people sin against their authorities? (1 Samuel 2:22-25) Now Eli, who was very old, heard about everything his sons were doing to all Israel and how they slept with the women who served at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting. So he said to them, “Why do you do such things? I hear from all the people about these wicked deeds of yours. No, my sons; it is not a good report that I hear spreading among the Lord’s people. If a man sins against another man, God may mediate for him; but if a man sins against the Lord, who will intercede for him?” His sons, however, did not listen to their father’s rebuke, for it was the Lord’s will to put them to death. (2 Kings 2:23-24) From there Elisha went up to Bethel. As he was walking along the road, some youths came out of the town and jeered at him. “Go on up, you baldhead!” they said. “Go on up, you baldhead!” He turned around, looked at them and called down a curse on them in the name of the Lord. Then two bears came out of the woods and mauled forty-two of the youths. (Numbers 16:12-15) Then Moses summoned Dathan and Abiram, the sons of Eliab. But they said, “We will not come! Isn’t it enough that you have brought us up out of a land flowing with milk and honey to kill us in the desert? And now you also want to lord it over us? Moreover, you haven’t brought us into a land flowing with milk and honey or given us an inheritance of fields and vineyards. Will you gouge out the eyes of these men? No, we will not come!” Then Moses became very angry and said to the Lord, “Do not accept their offering. I have not taken so much as a donkey from them, nor have I wronged any of them.”

11. What should our authorities do when we sin against them? (1 Samuel 3:13) For I told him that I would judge his family forever because of the sin he knew about; his sons made themselves contemptible, and he failed to restrain them. (Proverbs 13:24) He who spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him is careful to discipline him. (2 Timothy 4:2) Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction. BUT… (Acts 5:29) Peter and the other apostles replied: “We must obey God rather than men!

12. What Should God Do to Us When We Disobey the Authorities? Romans 6:23

13. What Did Jesus Do For Us? Luke 2:51 Matthew 22:19-21

14. Ephesians 6:7 Ephesians 6:7

15. God wants us to understand: 1. that he wants us to respectfully obey those whom he places over us 2. They provide us with blessings for our body and soul.

16. Lesson for Life Agree or Disagree AND WHY… God wants us to obey our authorities, but we cannot honor government officials who are dishonest or immoral. What do you think?

17. Agree or disagree. Parents who won't let their daughters wear makeup until they are 15 years old are too old fashioned. Agree or disagree. Parents who won't let their daughters wear makeup until they are 15 years old are too old fashioned. Mary's parents are seldom home and show little concern for her. She tells you that because they don't care for her, she feels she doesn't have to obey them. What do you say to her? Mary's parents are seldom home and show little concern for her. She tells you that because they don't care for her, she feels she doesn't have to obey them. What do you say to her?