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Ephesians 6:1-4

Got a Perfect Family?

Dysfunctional?•Dictionary says: A dysfunctional family is one in which conflict, misbehavior, and often child neglect or abuses on the part of individual parents occur continually and regularly , leading other members to accommodate such actions either by fear or apathy

Dysfunctional?•Children who grow up in such families have the understanding that such an arrangement is normal and they often live in the same manner with their own children•God’s family is dysfunctional too, but not because He abused us; WE abused our relationship with Him by sinning

Dysfunctional?•That’s why Paul taught us ‘submission’ in Ephesians 5:21

“…submitting to one another in the fear of God.”• We went from wife submitting to her husband, to husband loving his wife as Christ loved His church and gave Himself for her•We are still within this theme of mutual submission to one another

“Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 2 HONOR YOUR FATHER AND MOTHER (which is the first commandment with a promise), 3 SO THAT IT MAY BE WELL WITH YOU, AND THAT YOU MAY LIVE LONG ON THE EARTH. 4 Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.”

Ephesians 6:1-4, NASB

A. To Children…•Understand the context here—•Paul is speaking to children who are believers of Jesus Christ and are the children of born-again believers

“Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 2 HONOR YOUR FATHER AND MOTHER (which is the first commandment with a promise), 3 SO THAT IT MAY BE WELL WITH YOU, AND THAT YOU MAY LIVE LONG ON THE EARTH.”

Ephesians 6:1-3, NASB

A. To Children…•Understand the context here—•Paul is speaking to children who are believers of Jesus Christ and are the children of born-again believers•Kids- obeying your parents is part of how you serve Christ– Jesus obeyed Mary and Joseph…•God has them in authority over you because you need the wisdom, guidance and Protection they can provide

A. To Children…•Your parents have been entrusted with teaching you the Bible and all you need to do: become a disciple of Christ•What if my parents are Lost?•What if they tell me to disobey God?•God will Bless you for your efforts

B. To Parents…•Paul then turns to the Dads, as heads of families

“4 Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.”

Ephesians 6:4, NASB

B. To Parents…•Paul then turns to the Dads, as heads of families•What does “Provoke…” really mean?•The Bible is full of examples of what happens when you let a child “do his own thing”•David and Absalom, Isaac and Esau, Jacob favored Joseph,

B. Parents Take Home…1. Nurture your children2. Instruct and encourage your

children with training and admonition

3. Discipline your childrenProverbs 13:24 says, “He who spares his rod hates his son, But he who loves him disciplines him promptly.”

B. Parents Take Home…Here are some necessary points on disciplining your children•Abuse is unfair, extreme and degrading•Discipline is fair, fitting and upholds the child’s dignity•Give your children room to grow, to make mistakes (different from rebellion)

B. Parents Take Home…Here are some necessary points on disciplining your children•Abuse is unfair, extreme and degrading•Discipline is fair, fitting and upholds the child’s dignity•Give your children room to grow, to make mistakes (different from rebellion)

C. To Blended Families…•With high Christian divorce rates, there are many like•Discipline can be a very HOT POTATO within the new family•Remember--God first, your spouse second, then your children– DO NOT choose child over spouse!

B. Parents Take Home…1. Nurture your children2. Instruct and encourage your

children with training and admonition

3. Discipline your childrenProverbs 13:24 says, “He who spares his rod hates his son, But he who loves him disciplines him promptly.”