Ephesians 6:1-4; Colossians 3:20-21
Introduction:
1. The natural offshoot of marriage is the bearing of children (Genesis 1:28).
2. As with the marriage bond, the Lord has high expectations in this relationship.
Discussion:
I. Honoring Father and Mother
A. Honor: OT kabed: to weigh heavily; NT timao: value, price, honor.
B. The primary honor we must give our parents per the Bible is obedience (Ephesians 6:1-3; Colossians 3:20), the exception being ungodly directives (6:1).
C. Dishonor ends in death to our souls (Exodus 21:15, 17; Leviticus 20:9; Deuteronomy 27:16; Proverbs 30:17; Matthew 15:4; Romans 1:28-30; 2 Timothy 3:1-2).
II. Raising Godly Children
A. Like husbands and wives, parents have one overarching role with many different elements.
B. We must train our children for godly living:
1. In Malachi 2:15, in establishing marriage God sought godly offspring, another reason we must do marriage well.
2. Godly children are a parent’s glory (Proverbs 10:1; 23:15-16; 27:11; 29:3; Proverbs 31:28; 1 Timothy 2:15; 5:14; Titus 2:4-5).
3. Fathers must bring up children in the Lord’s:
a. Training: discipline, correction, instruction (1 Samuel 3:13; Proverbs 22:6).
b. Admonition: lit. placing the mind.
c. Note these are not generated by the father but by the Father (Hebrews 12:7-11).
C. Deuteronomy 6:4-9 shows this to be the focus of every moment spent in parenting.
D. Teaching (impartation of the facts) must be coupled with training (demonstration of the same) if we are to succeed.
III. Building Without Breaking Them
A. Try as we may, none of us parents perfectly.
B. The principles of godliness are spelled out plainly, but we may struggle to train them right.
C. The Lord was concerned, particularly with fathers, that we may press them in harmful ways.
D. Two key passages speak to this danger:
1. In Ephesians 6:4, Paul told fathers not to provoke their children to anger.
2. In Colossians 3:21, the concern of provocation was about discouragement.
E. These instructions make better sense in context:
1. In ancient Rome, wives and children were essentially a man’s property.
2. More broadly, children were often treated as a nuisance (cf. Matthew 19:13-15; Mark 10:13-16; Luke 18:15-17).
F. Sadly, many parents to this day treat children like property or a nuisance.
G. We need to remember they did not ask us to bring them here, so we owe this training to them.
H. So, in addition to learning, living, teaching, and training them in godliness, we must discern how to apply pressure so as to build, not break them.
Conclusion:
1. There is scarcely anything more rewarding and challenging than childrearing.
2. Children are a heritage and tremendous blessing from the Lord (Psalms 127:3-5).
3. As in our marriages, may we strive always to honor God and promote the good of our children and all of humanity by training our children for godliness.
Further Food for Thought
1. What would/do you do differently from your parents in raising your own?
2. What would you do differently in raising yours if you could go back?
3. How can we collectively encourage all the parents in this congregation to hold the line and never relent in instilling godliness in their children?