The Hebrews believed that this commandment belonged on the first table, or tablet, of commands because it was part of our duty to God himself. This commandment is considered one of the “horizontal commandments” as it has to do with our earthly, or horizontal, relationships. Children should obey their parents because God says so. Paul quotes the fifth commandment from Exodus 20:12. The second is the law, as in the Old Testament Law. All civilizations see this as a key part to maintaining a stable society. In Paul’s day and ours, pagan cultures required children to obey their parents. This principle isn’t confined to Christian ethics. There doesn’t necessarily need to be special revelation for us to know that this is right. This is found in the phrase “for this is right” in verse 1. The first reason is nature, or natural law, or because this is the way God created things to work. Paul then gives three grounds, or reasons, for the obedience of children in a Christian home. Our society’s tolerance of disobedience among children, even in the church, is thus further evidence of our society’s quick spiral downward. 1:30), a sign of the evil of the last days (2 Tim. What did Paul say that children should do? “Obey your parents.” In other passages, Paul says that “disobedience to parents” is a sign of depravity (Rom. This was certainly Paul’s assumption, as he addressed “children” directly in his letter to the church. There’s wisdom in having kids classes, but kids, as soon as possible should be in worship and hearing the word taught. Kids will be in the room when the church gathers to worship God and hear this letter read. Paul addresses children as well as parents because he knows that whole families will be present in the public gathering of the church. ![]() In verses 1-3, Paul gives kids one basic rule, followed by some reasons for it. These will be our two points this morning. In the new society of God’s people, God has rules for kids (vv. This morning, we’re looking at the parent/child relationship in 6:1-4. Spirit-filled submission happens first and foremost in one’s house. This section is called the “household code” because it’s all about relationships within the household: husband/wife, parent/child, and slave/master. He means that we should submit to others according to the order and authority structures established by God. But Paul explains what he means by “submitting to one another” in 5:22-6:9. The total removal of any hierarchy within the church or the family or anywhere else is driven by the egalitarian philosophies that prevail in our culture today. Absolute mutual submission is popular today. Submission is an evidence of being filled with the Spirit (5:18, 21). One of the most basic dynamics in God’s new society is loving authority and humble submission. Rather, it gives us a new way of carrying them out. ![]() It doesn’t remove us from our earthly responsibilities. ![]() Our calling into union with Christ reshapes our lives. We’ve also learned that chapters 4-6 are Paul’s instructions for how the church should live in light of their new position in Christ (4:1, 17, 5:2, 8, 15). In our study of Ephesians, we’ve learned that chapters 1-3 are Paul’s outlining of what God has done to save his people and create a new people, a new society, made up of Jew and Gentile. Ephesians 6:1-4 | “Rules for Kids and Parents” Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (96)
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