Psalm 127

A Focus on the Family

Ephesians 6:4

 A Focus on the Family

I think these instructions to fathers should be equally applied to mothers as well. Piggybacking on what was said yesterday, the role of the children is to obey, and the role of the parents is to raise their children in the ways of the Lord.

Much like the instructions to husbands, the instruction to fathers (and mothers) is given to the person who was dominant in the relationship. It was and is universally agreed upon that children need to obey their parents. It was not agreed upon that fathers had to treat their children fairly. Much like the husbands, the fathers were the ones who likely had to change their attitude and actions the most according to the instructions of the household code. 

The instructions are simple. Don’t cause your children anger but teach them in the Lord. It’s very similar to what is proclaimed in Deuteronomy 6:4-9. The message in those 6 verses is to love God and to teach your children to love God. Parents, you must do this! It is not the church’s job to teach your children about Jesus. It is your job. The church can come alongside you to help you do this work, but the Bible is clear. Teaching your kids the Bible and about Jesus is the parents’ job. We are to bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord. And just like I said yesterday, there is no statute of limitations on this command. Even if your kids are grown, you are still obligated to teach them about the Lord. You never retire from being a parent. And that includes our obligation to share Jesus with our kids.

Ephesians 6:1-3

 A Focus on the Family

At what point does the command to obey and honor your parents stop? Is there a statute of limitations to this command? Is there an age when you grow out of “obeying your parents”?

Oftentimes, we read Ephesians 6:1-3 or the command in Exodus and Deuteronomy to “Honor your father and mother” and we immediately think that this instruction is only for kids. These are verses that we hold over our young children’s heads when they are being disobedient or not doing their chores. I do think they apply to kids, but they also apply to adults as well. You never outgrow the command to honor your father and mother. You never stop obeying your parents. 

It’s been over two years now since my dad’s death. My dad was a righteous man of God. He was an example to look up to. He and my mom raised my sister and me in a godly way. They lived out Proverbs 22:6 which says, “train up a child in the way he should go, even when he grows older, he will not abandon it.” They did their part, and I am doing my part by not abandoning the fear of the Lord that was instilled in me.

Just because we grow up doesn’t mean we grow out of obeying our parents. Even when our parents pass away, we are still instructed to obey them. Are there caveats and exceptions when our parents do not raise us in a godly way? Of course. Our ultimate devotion and allegiance is to the Lord. But when our parents raise us in a godly way, we must never stop obeying our parents.