#1478. Children obey your parents (23/3/26)

Welcome to this Come to Jesus Daily Devotional (posted, at present, every weekday) as we continue our Ephesians series: Ephesians - To the praise, for the purpose, in the power of God.

From Ephesians 6:1, let’s consider how children are to, and are to be taught to, obey their parents. 

To watch this devotional, please select the link below:

We will cover this text throughout this week, today we are going to be focussing on verse 1: 

In our last devotional, we reflected on authority and submission in marriage. Today we move on to another often unpopular command: that children obey their parents.

I imagine that no parent finds their role easy. We all enter into it without experience, and we must undertake what is probably one of the most important and demanding roles in life without much training.

This week in our devotionals we will reflect on how we can seek to be both children and parents according to God’s design. God does give us wisdom, and we would be wise to listen to it.

1. Children obey your parents

Firstly, children are addressed directly. They are commanded: 

This parallels what we read in Colossians 3:20:‘Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord.’ (Colossians 3:20)

In our modern culture, the idea of teaching children to obey is often viewed negatively. We sometimes hear sentiments such as: “Remove all boundaries and let children express themselves without restraint.” However, learning to obey is a vital part of healthy childhood development. Scripture simply says, “for this is right.”

Whatever cultural attitudes may say, it is right to teach children to obey their parents—and their teachers, for that matter.

Teaching children this value is an important part of discipleship. It helps them learn obedience to their true heavenly Father. It is also a valuable life skill that will serve them well in education, in the workplace, and in society.

Furthermore, children who learn obedience are better prepared for adulthood. They grow up with a sense of security and are better equipped to lead well in marriage, family life, and the wider world.

1. Who is this addressed to?

This command is addressed to children within a household. But at what age does it no longer apply?

There is, of course, no hard and fast rule. If someone is eighteen and still living at home, does this command still apply? In practice, every parent must approach this wisely and individually.

As a young person demonstrates increasing responsibility- with their time, money, attitude, work, and prayer life - wise parents will gradually treat them more as adults and give less direct instruction.

However, regardless of age, even when we have left home and are living independently, it is wise to continue showing respect and honour to our parents and elders as far as possible.

2. Obey ‘in the Lord’

Children are told to obey their parents ‘in the Lord.’

This means obeying in the sight of God and out of reverence for Him. For a Christian child or young person, obedience to parents becomes an act of worship.

Even small children, with their childlike faith, can be taught that obeying their parents is part of following Jesus.

Response

If you are a parent, it is right that you teach this command to your children—it is written here for them.

Take time to talk about this passage with your child. Help them understand that obeying their parents is God’s will and that it is good and right.

And for all of us, whether or not we have children, we each have a role to play in raising the next generation:

How can you encourage the young?How can you support parents?How can you pray?

Community Group Notes

1. Notices

It might be good to begin with notices. Please share from this week’s Church News.

2. Icebreaker

Something that builds relationships and confidence to share; it’s good to regularly use this moment to ask the group: How has God been speaking to you from His Word this week, and how has this helped you? 

3. Worship together

Let’s begin our time together by lifting our eyes and hearts to worship our great God. Perhaps you have readings and songs that you would like to use together. Let’s be open to the gifts that the Spirit wants to give in order to encourage one another.

4. Study and pray together

Balanced Time Allocation - Please ensure a balanced focus on discussion, SIV (Serve, Invest, and Invite), and prayer so that each section is meaningful and fruitful.

On Sunday, we continued our new series entitled: Ephesians: to the praise, for the purpose, in the power of God. 

From Ephesians 6:1-4, we learn that God has a design for family relationships that lead to flourishing.

Please read Ephesians 6:1–4 and discuss:

• Personal reflection – From Sunday’s message and this passage, what stood out to you? Was there anything the Holy Spirit particularly impressed on your heart?

• The command and the promise – What is the promised outcome of obeying this command? In light of this, what might be the consequences of neglecting or disobeying it?

• To children – This instruction is given to all children, both young and old. What does it look like in practice to obey and honour parents? How can we do this faithfully, even when parents are not believers or do not act in godly ways?

• To parents – What are parents warned to avoid, and why? How do ‘training’ (discipline and correction) and ‘instruction’ (intentional, godly teaching) serve as the antidote to exasperating or provoking children to anger?

SIV (Serve, Invest, and Invite)

• The witness of godly families -  From our text, how does godly family life bring glory to Jesus in this world? 

• Sharing Stories – Have you had any recent opportunities to Serve, Invest in, or Invite someone toward Jesus? Let’s encourage one another by sharing stories of how we’ve seen God at work through simple faithfulness.

• Practical Next Steps – Who might God be placing on your heart at this time? Are there any “people of peace” (see note) in your life—those who seem open, welcoming, or receptive to spiritual conversation?

Let’s Pray Together

• Please pray for the Easter period - for both our Good Friday and Easter services - pray for opportunities, and the love, to take those opportunities to invite people. 

• Pray for courage, wisdom, and sensitivity to the Holy Spirit in our Serve, Invest, and Invite opportunities.

• Pray specifically for the ‘people of peace’ in our lives - that God would open hearts and deepen relationships.

• General prayer: From our study, or from personal needs, how do people want prayer?