STORY / CONTEXT

Throughout this series, we’ve looked at God’s design for humanity, marriage, and family.

Last week, the focus was on parents and the responsibility of raising children in the Lord.

This week, the focus shifts to children.

Because just as God designed parents to lovingly lead and disciple their children, God also designed children to respond with obedience and honor.

Family order is not cultural invention.
It is God’s gift for human flourishing.

SCRIPTURE READING

Ephesians 6:1–3

“Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right…”

Paul transitions from theology to practice.

The Gospel reshapes how families function.

And within God’s design, children are called to respond to parents in two primary ways:

• obedience
• honor

1. Children are expected to OBEY their parents

Ephesians 6:1

“Children, obey your parents in the Lord…”

Obedience is not presented as a suggestion.
It is a command.

The word “obey” means:

to listen under authority.

This reflects God’s design for order, protection, and flourishing within the family.

Key Insight

Submission is not punishment.
It is God’s provision.

Biblical Clarifications About Obedience

Who is this command primarily directed toward?

• Children under 18
• Young adults still living at home
• Young adults still financially dependent upon parents

What obedience is NOT

• It does not require participation in sin or immorality
• It is not based on agreement with every instruction
• It is not optional because parents are imperfect

Warnings Against Disobedience

2 Timothy 3:1–2

Paul describes disobedience to parents as evidence of moral decay in the last days.

Proverbs 1:8
Proverbs 13:1

Wise children receive instruction.
Foolishness rejects correction.

Key Truth

Your obedience says more about your relationship with God than your relationship with your parents.

Children obey “in the Lord.”

Trusting parental authority ultimately reflects trust in God’s authority.

2. Children are expected to HONOR their parents

Ephesians 6:2–3

“Honor your father and mother…”

Unlike obedience, honor is not something we outgrow.

The word “honor” means:

to value, esteem, and treat as weighty.

Obedience changes through life stages.
Honor remains lifelong.

Honor Through Every Season of Life

Young children

Honor through trust and obedience.

Teenagers and young adults

Honor through communication and involvement.

Adults

Honor through care, blessing, and respect.

Older adults

Honor by remembering parents well.

Key Insight

Honor is not contingent upon parents being perfect or always honorable.

Every parent is a sinner in need of grace.

Yet God still calls children to honor them.

The Promise Attached to Honor

Paul reminds believers this command comes with a promise:

• that it may go well with you
• that you may flourish under God’s blessing

Under the New Covenant, this points beyond land or prosperity toward the blessed life found in Christ.

FINAL GOSPEL CONNECTION

Every one of us is someone’s child.

But the greater question is:

Have you become a child of God?

John 1:12–13

“To all who did receive Him… He gave the right to become children of God.”

The Gospel not only restores families.
It restores us to the Father.

SUMMARY

God’s design for the family includes both loving parents and honoring children.

Children are called to:

• obey with trust
• honor with consistency
• reflect God through their response to authority

And ultimately, earthly families are meant to point us toward our deepest need:

to be adopted into the family of God through faith in Jesus Christ.