based on the LGG Study, Secure in Christ/w6d1
Read: Ephesians 6:1-4; SOAP: verse 1
Children, obey your parents because you belong to the Lord, for this is the right thing to do. 2 “Honor your father and mother.” This is the first commandment with a promise: 3 If you honor your father and mother, “things will go well for you, and you will have a long life on the earth.”
4 Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger by the way you treat them. Rather, bring them up with the discipline and instruction that comes from the Lord.
Ephesians 6:1-4 NLT or KJV
Today, Paul zeros in on the parent/child relationships. As parents or grandparents, we are to instruct and encourage our children to obey. We are also to lead by example in our relationship with God – and others, in our actions, reactions, and speech. After all, the Scriptures teach us that obedience is the evidence of a loving relationship. I don’t know about you, but when I became a parent, it was an eye-opener to my relationship with God, or perhaps my lack thereof. It was a huge revelation to me that my Christianity wasn’t meant to be just about a religion, it was intended to be about a relationship established by faith an love with God the Father, Son, and Spirit. This was such a timely gift/revelation from God, as it enhanced all the lessons that come with learning to be a parent. From peace and patience to training and loving and giving of oneself, my parenting and relationships with my children were made sweeter because I was walking and growing in a loving relationship with the Triune God.
“If you love me, you will obey my commandments.”
John 14:15
Paul makes it clear to his readers that our relationships are fundamentally important, not only in our growth and oneness with God and others, but also in our call to be lights in this dark world. How we live as children of God, whether in the church body, in our marriages, or as children with our parents and/or parents with our children, how believers live and love matters. Why? Because how we live with others is to be a reflection of Jesus in us and us in Him (John 13:34).
We are to live and love in all situations and relationships like Jesus. Loving God with all of our hearts, souls, minds, and strength and loving others as ourselves are the two greatest commandments (Mark 12:29-31). There is no good excuse for anything less. Actually, anything less is a reflection of not loving God (1 John 4:7-21).
Me From the Inside Out 