Colossians 3:20; Proverbs 6:20-23 – Children
One of the great tragedies of the modern era is the lack of respect that children have for their parents. Many parents seem to have given up completely any idea that it is their responsibility to control or discipline their own children, and consequently children grow up with no concept of obedience to any authority.
The apostle Paul reinforces the clear teaching of the rest of Scripture (Ex. 20:12, Lev. 20:9, Deut. 5:16, Prov. 1:8 etc.) when he commands children to obey their parents ‘in all things, for this is well-pleasing in the Lord’. There is the obvious limitation to obedience if the command of the parents requires something contrary to the will of God, but in all other circumstances, children are to be obedient to their parents.
Such teaching is difficult in days when society teaches children to assert their own rights and to take command of their own lives. When parental attitudes and values are seen to be outmoded and old fashioned and any kind of restriction on personal liberty is an affront. For children growing up in a Christian home the choice is very clear indeed. Are they going to seek to go their own way, which may well gain the approval of their friends, even if it goes against the wishes of their parents, or are they going to follow the teaching of Scripture and be obedient to their parents, even when they think their parents are being too restrictive?
For the obedience to be ‘well pleasing in the Lord’ it must not be unwilling or resentful, but rather joyful, acknowledging that faithfulness to God requires cheerful obedience to those to whom God has given responsibility for their care and nurture.
Questions
- How can we best encourage children – both at home and those in the congregation – to be more obedient to their parents?
Prayer Points
- Pray for the children in the congregation.
- Use prayer points from your congregation.
- Pray for family matters.