Prayer for All Members Based on Pastor Jared’s Message, June 26, 2022

Ephesians 6:1-4

Honoring God Through Obedience and Training

Introduction: Paul addresses children because they have value and potential. The Greek word for children includes both boys and girls; both are equally important, made in the image of God. As a church we need to come alongside parents in their training of their children.

1. Children: Obey your parents in the Lord. (6:1-3)

Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. “Honor your father and mother” (this is the first commandment with a promise), “that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land.”

Three reasons why children should obey their parents:

• It is part of the created, natural order. God has woven into the fabric of creation and placed upon our hearts that children obey their parents.
• It is the right thing to do. God has commanded it, and to love God is to do what He commands. Furthermore, every command God gives us is for our good.
• It is a commandment with an attached promise of blessing. God is waiting to bless us for doing what we should already be doing in the first place.

Lord, please lead all the children in our church to obey their parents out of love for You. Help all of us at every age to honor our parents because we want to honor You.

1. Fathers: Bring up your children in the Lord. (6:4)

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

Parents, disciple your children. Encourage rather than discourage them. It is not that we are told not to discipline them, but rather that we are told to discipline them in the Lord and for His glory. They need both training and teaching for their eternal well-being. Parents should raise their children to facilitate their obedience. Children learn respect and obedience and submission as they see their parents submit to and obey God.

Four things we can do to disciple our children:

• Read the Bible with them.
• Pray for them and with them.
• Take them to church.
• Be honest, be open, let them see what Jesus is doing in your life.

Father, please lead all the parents in our church to bring up their children in love for You. Help us realize that it is hard but worthwhile to bring up children, and that we are weak, but You are strong. On behalf of all the children and parents in our church, we are trusting in You.