1. “Do Not Provoke Your Children”
We focus much our teaching on parenting on the last part of Ephesians 6:4, but we often neglect to consider the vital first part: “Father, do not provoke your children to wrath.”
“Do Not Provoke Your Children”
Ephesians 6:4; Colossians 3:21

2. Pride and Provocation
The problem of provoking children is often created by parental pride – the expectation that our children will bring us honor or make us look good.
Pride generates strife! (Prov. 28:25 )

3. Practices that Provoke
Having no rules or guidelines, or failing to consistently enforce them (Proverbs 22:6; 13:24; 29:15; 22:15; 23:14-15)
Having excessive, unnecessary, or oppressive rules and unreasonable or inappropriate punishment. (1 Samuel 1:6-7)
Verbal abuse or “reviling.” (1 Corinthians 6:10)

4. Practices that Provoke
Hypocrisy (Job 17:8)
A lack of patience
Breaking promises (Proverbs 25:14)
Showing favoritism (Genesis 25:28; 27:3)
Failure to give time and attention

5. “…like a father with his children, we exhorted each one of you and encouraged you and charged you to walk in a manner worthy of God…” (1 Thessalonians 2:11-12, ESV)