Text Scripture: Eph 6: 1-5
Parents and children will always experience a generation gap. However, that gap can be narrowed if we know how to apply scriptural teachings correctly. Like in a relay race, the challenges of passing a baton from one runner to another are like the challenges of narrowing the gap between father and child. The Apostle Paul provides us the following principles for our learning:
1) “Children, obey your parents…” (Eph 6:1)
• Children are to obey and honour their parents (vv 1-2).
• Obeying parents is obeying God. It is the first commandment with promised blessings of longevity. It is also the 5th of the Ten Commandments. Children are to obey their parents “in the Lord,” which means we are to obey them only when the “higher principles” of Scripture apply.
• We honour our parents when we respect them and avoid causing them hurt or pain. It also means we are to obey them.
• In the Old Testament, the penalty for disobedience to parents is death. Although this is no longer applicable today, obedience to parents is still part of the moral law. Scripture tells us that the sin of disobeying parents is a prevalent sin in the Last Days.
• Today, when parents lower themselves to the level of friendship with their children, they lose their authority over their children and they give in to the desires of their children. This is not the teaching of Scripture, and therefore, an incorrect way of Parenthood.
• Obeying parents is obeying God. It is the first commandment with promised blessings of longevity. It is also the 5th of the Ten Commandments. Children are to obey their parents “in the Lord,” which means we are to obey them only when the “higher principles” of Scripture apply.
• We honour our parents when we respect them and avoid causing them hurt or pain. It also means we are to obey them.
• In the Old Testament, the penalty for disobedience to parents is death. Although this is no longer applicable today, obedience to parents is still part of the moral law. Scripture tells us that the sin of disobeying parents is a prevalent sin in the Last Days.
• Today, when parents lower themselves to the level of friendship with their children, they lose their authority over their children and they give in to the desires of their children. This is not the teaching of Scripture, and therefore, an incorrect way of Parenthood.
2) “…fathers, provoke not your children to wrath…” (Eph 6:4) .
• Parents are instructed not to provoke their children to wrath, but to nurture and admonish them in the Lord.
• Parents are to be spiritual examples by walking close with God before they can be good parental examples to their children.
• It is good for parents to be present whenever their children need them. Parents are not only to provide for the physical needs of their children. They are also to provide for their children’s spiritual needs. They are to teach them the Word of God. They must not allow Sunday school teachers to take over the role of parents.
• Today, many parents give their children the freedom they want and parents even “obey” their children! This is not biblical!
• Parents are to be spiritual examples by walking close with God before they can be good parental examples to their children.
• It is good for parents to be present whenever their children need them. Parents are not only to provide for the physical needs of their children. They are also to provide for their children’s spiritual needs. They are to teach them the Word of God. They must not allow Sunday school teachers to take over the role of parents.
• Today, many parents give their children the freedom they want and parents even “obey” their children! This is not biblical!
To narrow the parent-child generation gap, both parents and children are to play their part according to God’s teachings. Together, we can foster not only good parent-child relationships, we can also be good ambassadors for Christ in the world that we live in and be light and salt for Christ.
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