Honoring Your Mother and Father:
Submission to Authority
In this Session, we will discuss the fifth commandment: You shall honor your father and mother.
We will discuss:
God’s Design for the Family Structure
How to Define Honor
Overall Authority in Our Lives
Part 1
The Resurrection of Jesus
Key Points from Part 1
The Role of Fathers
Encouragement: Fathers raise their children from a position of love and encouragement.
Discipline: Godly discipline shapes the hearts of children to love obedience and to hate rebellion.
Instruction: Teaching children how to honor God.
The Role of Mothers
Submission: Women submit to their husbands as the Church submits to Christ (Ephesians 5:22).
Nurturing: Provide a place of support, affection, and unconditional love.
Teaching and Training: Help children to find the gifts, talents, strengths and weaknesses that God has given them.
Review Questions
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Fathers are called to lead their homes toward righteousness, integrity, and obedience to God’s commands.
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Discipline is meant to instruct children so that they may learn to love what is righteous and hate that which is wicked (Proverbs 22:15).
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The Father images Christ as he leads and serves his family with love and strength while the mother images the Church as she submits to and supports her husband with grace and integrity.
Key Points from Part 2
How to Honor Parents
Obey All the Way: Children are to honor their parents completely.
Obey the Right Way: Delayed obedience is disobedience.
Obey the Cheerful Way: Obedience should flow from hearts that love obedience.
Review Questions
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Yes. God desires that we not only show honor to our parents, but that obeying Him in this way delights us (Reference the wording of Psalm 45:7).
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Yes, although honoring them will look different as an adult. However, all people are to show honor and respect to their parents at all times.
Key Points from Part 3
We are called to honor all authority God has placed over us, in proper order.
Earthly Parents (Luke 2:51)
Earthly Authority (Matthew 22:21; Romans 13:1)
Heavenly Father (1 John 5:2)
Review Questions
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If an authority figure compels us to sin, we are obligated to disobey.
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God - and to Him we owe our ultimate obedience at all times and in all circumstances.
Questions for Further Discussion
In 1-2 sentences, describe the meaning of the fifth commandment.
How should a child obey this commandment? How should an adult?
What circumstances would call for someone to not obey their parents? How can you tell when these circumstances arise?
How can parents get discipline wrong? What has God designed discipline to do? Read Proverbs 13:24; 22:15; 23:13-14; 29:15 as you reflect on this.
What are steps you can take right now to better honor your mother and father?