Good Morning Everyone,
Our theme for this month: “Playing by the Rules”
Our Bible verse for today: “Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. Honor your father and mother – which is the fourth commandment with a promise – that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth. “Ephesians 6:1-3 (NIV)
Our thought for today: “Children are to honor and respect their parents.”
As we continue our discussion of living life according to the Bible, or “Playing by the Rules”, I would like for us to think about what the Bible teaches with regard to relationships between parents and children. And I don’t just mean children in the sense of minor children, this pertains to adult offspring as well.
The Bible is clear that children are to honor and respect their parents. When children are below the age of adulthood and still living under the parent’s roof, they are to obey their parents. Once a son or daughter reaches adulthood and is living independently, the relationship necessarily changes and should become less about obedience and more about honor and respect.
Now or course there are exceptions to this. Not all parents are worthy of obedience and respect. Some are abusive, negligent, or even criminal in their behavior and therefore more deserving of prosecution and incarceration rather than obedience and respect. But as a general Biblical principle, children are to obey, honor, and respect their parents.
But this is a two-way street. Parents are to honor and respect their children as well. Instruction and discipline is to be fair and reasonable. Love and kindness should characterize the relationship. In Ephesians chapter six Paul begins by telling children they are to obey and honor their parents, but then he also tells parents to conduct themselves in a loving and godly manner towards their children. “Fathers, do not exasperate your children: instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.” Ephesians 6:4
The Amplified Bible brings out even greater depth of meaning from that verse: “Fathers, do not irate and provoke your children to anger (do not exasperate them to resentment), but rear them (tenderly) in the training and discipline and the counsel and admonition of the Lord.”
In addition to the general Biblical principles Paul provides us in Ephesians chapter six, in other places the Bible provides even more specific guidance for the relationship between parents and children (minor children and adults).
As with yesterdays teaching about the Biblical model for marriage, there is much more that needs to be said on this subject of relationships between parents and children – more than can be covered in this single devotional message. If you would be interested in reading more on this subject, please refer to chapter twelve of my book “Walking with Paul”. If you don’t have a copy you can get one at www.JimMersereauBooks.com. Or visit us at Oak Hill Baptist Church and I will be happy to give you a copy as a gift.
Children are to obey, honor, and respect their parents. The Bible tells us so. But it also provides plenty of guidance for parents to properly love, honor, and respect their children. The Bible is our guide for good relationships between parents and children. We all need to play by these rules.
God Bless,
Pastor Jim
Oak Hill Baptist Church 