What about the Children (Lesson 3)

This lesson explores biblical principles for raising children for the kingdom of God. 

Ephesians 6:1-4 NASB

(1)  Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.

(2)  HONOR YOUR FATHER AND MOTHER (which is the first commandment with a promise),

(3)  SO THAT IT MAY BE WELL WITH YOU, AND THAT YOU MAY LIVE LONG ON THE EARTH.

(4)  Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.

What does it mean to honor one’s parents? 

John Gil suggests in honoring our parents we include our thoughts, words and gestures.  This means we should hold our parents in high regard as the leaders of the family unit.  In doing so, Paul says it will be well with us and we will have a long life. 

Paul goes on to say that, Fathers are to train their children and not provoke them.  How might a Father provoke his child?  This could show in ridicule, abuse, lack of time or not supplying the necessities.  It can even show when parents fail to discipline their children. 

Why does God discipline us?

Hebrews 12:6-8 NASB FOR THOSE WHOM THE LORD LOVES HE DISCIPLINES, AND HE SCOURGES EVERY SON WHOM HE RECEIVES.  It is for discipline that you endure; God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom his father does not discipline?  But if you are without discipline, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate children and not sons.

What about the Children, God expects us to raise our children in love using the example that He sets for us.