Ephesians 6:1-9

Commands to Children

Ephesians 6:1 NIV

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

False Idea: “Following the Lord in a significant way doesn’t happen until you are grown up.”

Even a child has a calling from the Lord.

Leaning in to the training that God has for them.

A child following the Lord is a powerful thing.

Command: Obey your parents.

“In the Lord”

In alignment with the commands of the Lord -Calvin

As your Christian duty

Why obey Parents?

It is right. (Eph. 6:1)

It has a promise attached to it. (Eph. 6:2-3)

Ephesians 6:2–3 NIV

“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.”

Quotes one of the ten commandments.

Fantasy:

Portrays parents as…

Outdated

Aloof

Oppressive

Out of touch

Ignorant

Portrays Children as…

More enlightened counterpart.

Know what really needs to happen.

Depicts rebellion against parental authority as a path to heroism.

Alladin - Aloof and outdated.

Cinderella - Selfish and oppresive.

Matilda - Abusive

Frozen - Misunderstanding of Elsa’s inner self.

Real life: Obedience to parents leads to a blessing.

Peaceful family life.

Trust

Privileges

Growth in Maturity

Learn faster

Those around are blessed.

Commands to Fathers

Ephesians 6:4 NIV

Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.

Command: Do not exasperate your children.

Provoke them to anger.

Unrealistic demands.

Harsh treatment.

Sarcasm or demeaning words.

Some: “Then I should not discipline them, because they may get angry.”

Command: Bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.

Training - Discipline, deals with action and behavior.

It’s not that Mother’s aren’t an important part of this, but the Father is called to take the lead on this.

Instruction - Words

KIDS acrostic

Kindness

Instruction

Discipline

Supernatural Power

The two “E’s”

Exampling

Explaining