Studies in Ephesians Honor Your Father Ephesians 6

Studies in Ephesians: “Honor Your Father”. Ephesians 6: 1 -4 and Deuteronomy 5: 16 “I choose to place high value & respect on my Dad and on the Father of my children. ”

Stories of memories…

Biblical encouragement to all Dads as well as all people. �“You, LORD, reign forever; your throne endures from generation to generation. ” - Lamentations 5: 19 � 17 Since my youth, God, you have taught me, and to this day I declare your marvelous deeds. 18 Even when I am old and gray, do not forsake me, my God, till I declare your power to the next generation, your mighty acts to all who are to come. 19 Your righteousness, God, reaches to the heavens, you who have done great things. Who is like you, God? Psalms 71: 17 -19

Biblical encouragement to all Dads as well as all people. � 15 Even if you had ten thousand guardians in Christ, you do not have many fathers, for in Christ Jesus I became your father through the gospel. 16 Therefore I urge you to imitate me. 1 Corinthians 4: 15 -16

Biblical teaching on Ephesians 6: 1 -4 Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 2 “Honor your father and mother”— which is the first commandment with a promise — 3 “so that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth. ” 4 Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord. Ephesians 6: 1 -4

Biblical teaching on Ephesians 6: 1 -4 �Children, obey your parents in the Lord. (v. 1) Meaning of “obey. ” �Honor your father & mother (v. 2) first of 10 commandments w/ a promise. �That it may be well with you & that you may live long (v. 3) on the earth. �Fathers, don’t provoke your children to anger. (v. 4) Negative command. �But bring them up in the discipline & instruction of the Lord. (v. 4)

Eight ways we provoke our children to anger: �Overprotection…parents who smother their children with restrictions to keep them safe. �Showing favoritism among our children & comparing them with one another in front of the others. �Pushing their achievement(s) beyond reasonable bounds. I can never satisfy my father or my mother. �Not complimenting or encouraging a child regularly. Repeatedly telling them how they are wrong. �Failing to sacrifice for the children as their parents. Thus they can feel unwanted.

Eight ways we provoke our children to anger: �Failing to let children be children & make mistakes. Constantly chiding them for being childish when it may be normal & harmless behavior. �Using love as a tool of reward & punishment. Granting love when the child obeys & withholding love when the child disobeys. (Hebrews 12: 6) �By giving children physical & verbal abuse…severe putdowns with sarcasm, superior arguments and with angry, hurtful words.

Qualities of a father’s heart in the Father God for us to emulate. The Father God is a defender to the weak. (Psalm 68: 5 -6) The Father God is compassionate. (Psalm 103: 13) The Father God gives good gifts. (Matthew 7: 11) The Father God is merciful & comforting. (2 Corinthians 1: 3 -4)

WRITE DOWN: � 3 -7 words or phrases that are good memories or character qualities of your Dad (or of a Father figure or discipler), if your Dad is/was abusive or absent. � 3 -7 words or phrases by which you want to be remembered as a Dad (or a godly man or godly lady) before and after you die.