Introduction // 5 minutes
What company has the best rewards program?
Sample answers may include…
- Coffee Shops
- Restaurants
- Retailers
- Banks
Observation // 10 minutes
Read Ephesians 6:1-4
What do we learn about God’s instructions for children and parents?
Leader Note: Throughout our lives, this passage remains true. We are called to honor our father and mother at all stages of life. There is even a promise attached to the instruction. The passage also contains wisdom for the way parents are to bring up their children.
Sample answers may include
- Children are to obey their parents, which includes both mother and father (v. 1)
- Children are to ‘honor their father and mother’ as instructed in the Ten Commandments (v. 2)
- There is a promise associated with honoring the father and mother (v. 2), which includes ‘enjoying long life on earth’ (v. 3)
- Obeying parents is the ‘right’ thing to do (v. 1)
- Dads (parents) are not to exasperate (provoke or upset) their children (v. 4)
- Parents are to raise their children with training and instruction they learn from the Lord (v. 4)
- There is a contrast between dads (parents) provoking their children and raising them in the way of the Lord
Understanding // 10 minutes
Where do you see people receiving honor in our world?
What does ‘honoring your father and mother’ look like today? Where have you seen it done well or not done well?
Commentary: The Scriptures admonishes us to honor our parents which means to hold them with the highest respect. So, while the ways we honor parents may change, the substance of love and high respect remains the same.
What do you see are healthy forms of teaching and instructing children? Where have you seen it practiced?
Leader Note: This question will generate a broad spectrum of response, as there are various forms of discipline. It is easy to get caught up with the techniques rather than the heart behind it. Remind the group that the ‘training and instruction’ we receive from our Heavenly Father always comes from a place of love.
Application // 15 minutes
In what ways are you honoring (or have honored) your father and mother?
What could it look like to show others how to honor their father and mother?
Leader Note: There is great value in honoring our parents. Not only is there a promise of blessing attached to it, but it can also be reflective of our relationship with God. When we honor our parents, we honor God’s teaching and instruction.
Live It Out // 5 minutes
What if we were known for the way we honored our parents and raised our children? How will it affect other relationships?
Prayer: Spend time praying and reflecting on the passage. As you pray, identify the areas of need (missed opportunities, brokenness, pain, anxiety, sadness, etc.) and ask God to bring what is needed (comfort, peace, joy, hope, love, etc.). Also, remind your group of God’s great faithfulness and His ability to redeem and reconcile relationships—to bring beauty out of the mess.