Bible Study Lessons: Ephesians 6:1-4 God’s Plan for Raising Children

Ephesians 6:1-4 God’s Plan for Raising Children

The Greek word for children is ‘TEKNON’ which means offspring living at home.
In the Jewish culture, children were often mistreated and scorned.
In the Roman culture, unwanted children were left in the Forum. A father would determine if a newborn child should live or not. If the newborn was to live, the father would hold out his arms. If the father turned his back on the newborn, the child would be put to death.

To honor and respect.
Obeying requires an action while honoring involves an attitude.
To obey your parents is a Commandment from God which is right and which also has a promise as well. (I Timothy 5:4)

In the Old Testament children could be put to death if they disobeyed their parents. In the New Testament a promise is to live longer by taking God’s advice.

The father tends to neglect their children more than the mother. They also tend to be harsher as well. At times a father will not use his role as headship of the household or the leader of worship.

Raising a child can be compared to becoming a soldier. It requires training and preparation to do battle in life. It requires discipline to be properly trained. This training includes Basic Training which begins at home where the child learns to obey and the parent-child relationship as well as the master- servant relationship.
Children are a gift from God and we should consider it privilege to claiming a child of God. Children are to be considered Holy as well. Children submit to their parents just as a servant obeys his master. .
Children are to be brought up in the discipline and instruction of the LORD.

A Child is not a vent of a parent’s bad disposition.
Children need to be trained for life by the parents. (Proverbs 13:24, Proverbs 23:13, Proverbs 29:15)

Paul’s mention of acknowledging children was a revolutionary concept. Paul’s letter was an indication of how the Christian faith began to impact the Roman society.
Verse 6:1-3 A Commandment with a Promise.

Paul teaches that since Jesus lifted up children and loved them, children need to be obedient and respect their parents. Paul was not teaching that children should expect to be spoiled and coddled. Paul is instructing that children should obey because it is right in God’s eyes and not because you feel like it, or to agree with your parent’s, or because the parent’s demands seem right.
Children are expected to honor their parents. This also involves when they become an adult. They should use their parents as a point of reference and not be required to be in total submission. They should care for their parents out of respect, not because of a sense of guilt.
Children need to learn to obey their parents so they can obey the LORD as they grow older. It is easier to respond to the parents and then next respond to God’s submission of authority. Responding in a positive manner to parents will likely lead to a positive response to GOD’s direction.
Remember - Our children do not belong to us but they belong to GOD. God instructs us to nurture and train our children. Parents are stewards, not owners of their children.
To obey and honor your parents means to highly value them, show them esteem, and to show respect. It is also one of the 10 commandments as well.
GOD gives us a promise and a blessing if we obey and honor our parents.

In the Old Testament this included living in the Promised Land. In the New Testament there is no limit to the blessings.

Sometimes the word ‘father’ was used for the Greek word for ‘Parent’.
Parents make a difference in their children by the way they raise and train them.

This develops character, intellect, healthy emotions, strong values, and personality.

How to handle money, peer pressure, drugs, alcohol, and how to succeed in school or a career. If they are not trained they are wide open to Satan's attack.

Give your children gradually increasing responsibilities. Give them the freedom to fail and teach them there are consequences for poor decisions.
Avoid favoritism. Privileges and responsibilities should be based upon age and the ability of the child.

Isaac and Rebekah favored a different child. Jacob who was favored by Rebekah as a child, showed favoritism to his son Joseph.

Do not push your children into areas where they lack aptitude and abilities. Find out which direction your child is naturally inclined and cheer them in that direction.
Do not remind your children of their limitations or failures. Focus on things they excel in. Affirm their talents and strengths. Remind them GOD gives different gifts and abilities to each person.
Never suggest your children are a burden or nuisance. Always remind them they are a gift from GOD.
Do not remind your children of how good they have it now compared with how life was in your day. Each generation has its own burdens to bear with.
Do not punish your children by withholding love. By giving your children the silent treatment indicates to them that they are not loved.

Over praising and over empowerment develops a sense of entitlement which leads to a child becoming spoiled.
Under affirming and under empowerment lead to an insecure child and a lack of confidence.

Children will paint an image of their parents as either ‘Super Hero’ or ‘Super Geek’.
What is our relationship with our parents? Do we still honor and respect them?
If you have been disrespected by your parents, say to them, ‘I want to obey GOD and show you the respect you are due and I want to honor you as well. As an adult I do not have to obey you but in the same respect I am asked to obey the Word of GOD. I ask you for my forgiveness’.
Show respect to your parents even if they are disrespectful. You will show them honor even if you do not receive honor in return. GOD will honor you in return and pour his blessings upon your life.
As parents, we plant trees of character, good habits, wisdom, and spiritual strength to give our children a cooling shade in the tree in the years to come. This tree needs to be watered by the Word of GOD.
Children will remember you when you are gone and thank you for raising them in discipline and instruction of the LORD if we raise them in a good balance.

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