Ephesians

Fourth Day: Review Ephesians 5:22—6:9, concentrating on 6:1-4.

1. Paul now addresses the relationship of parents and children. From Ephesians 6:1, what are children to do and why?

2. What does Paul quote to back up his statement? (Ephesians 6:2)

3. a. We must remember, the child’s primary duty is to Christ. The child is to obey the Lord first, and if obedience to the parent ever comes in conflict with obedience to Christ, then obedience to Christ and His moral leadership takes precedence. Barring such extreme situations, the child is to obey the parent. What specific benefits of this obedience are listed in Ephesians 6:3?

b. Challenge: How do you think having an attitude of obedience might benefit the child throughout his or her life?

4. a. The word translated “fathers” in Ephesians 6:4 could also be translated “parents,” but generally refers to a male¹¹. From Ephesians 6:4a and Colossians 3:21, what are fathers or parents instructed not to do and why?

b. Challenge: Can you think of some ways parents might exasperate or embitter their children?

5. a. What are fathers or parents instructed to do? (Ephesians 6:4b)

b. From the following passages, make a list of things a parent might do to bring their child up in the training and instruction of the Lord.

Deuteronomy 6:5-7

Proverbs 29:17

6. Personal: So we see children are to submit in obedience to the authority of the parent, and parents are to submit to their children by avoiding actions and attitudes that cause a child to rebel (not momentary anger over discipline, but the type of actions that, over time, tend to produce an overwhelmingly exasperated, frustrated, sullen, rebellious nature in a child). What has been most meaningful to you in today’s study?