July 11, 2012: Ephesians 6:1-9
Notes:
Chapter 6 continues where the previous chapter left off – by describing the type of Christian behavior that should be demonstrated as we walk with the Lord. In the first nine verses of chapter 6, Paul describes the following:
- Guidelines for youth (vs. 1-3)
- Guidelines for fathers (v. 4)
- Guidelines for servants (vs. 5-8)
- Guidelines for masters (v. 9)
Guidelines for youth
Paul recalls the fifth commandment as he describes the general characteristic required of Christian youth:
- Obey and honor parents (vs. 1-2)
- This is the first and foremost responsibility of youth, starting at the earliest age of understanding. Obedience to parents will naturally translate to obedience to the Lord once children grow to the age of accountability for their choices, especially as they grow into their teen years.
- Obedience is based on God’s commandment and is due to parents through obligation and appreciation. At the same time, obedience is obliged according to the will of God.
- Honor goes beyond obedience and is a heartfelt devotion to parents out of love for the personal relationship that exists between the parent and the child.
- Recognize the promise from God (vs. 2-3)
- When God commanded that we should honor our father and mother, He added a promise.
- Youth must realize that God has a promise for those who will obey and honor their parents.
- Paul recalls that promise:
- That it may be well with those who obey and honor their parents, and
- That they may live long on the earth
Guidelines for fathers
Paul provides instruction to fathers in one verse:
- Don’t be cruel or severe
- Fathers tend to want to exercise supreme authority coupled with wrath, but Paul says this is not the type of behavior that is characteristic of a Christian Dad.
- Dad’s should be careful when correcting and choosing punishment for their children. Note that Paul uses the phrase “provoke not your children”. As Dads, we must measure the outcome of our actions, realizing that by provoking our children will bring further disobedience and even spiteful actions from them.
- This does not mean that we should not discipline our children, but we should consider how God deals with us when we disobey. In the midst of our sin and wilful disobedience, God forgave us and restored us, rather than treating us with cruelty or severity as the subject of His wrath.
- Discipline children in the Lord
- Discipline should be according to the love of God – gentle reproof, teaching that obedience is God’s will, and instructing them in the correct behavior.
- Recall Proverbs 22:6 – Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it. (KJV)
Guidelines for servants
Paul gives guidelines for a servant’s behavior. This is an important passage, as we are all servants to God, as well as servants to one another.
- Be obedient to those with authority over you (v. 5)
- Obey because those with authority have rights to impose discipline and punishment for improper behavior
- Obey because it is the right thing to do (with singleness of heart)
- Serve as you would serve Christ
- Be consistent (vs. 6-7)
- Don’t only serve when someone is watching
- Let your service be from the heart by serving in the background or the forefront as the situation requires
- Recognize that consistent service is part of God’s will
- Be real (vs. 8-9)
- Keep in mind that God knows your heart, so your service should be genuine and from your heart
- Serve with a commitment to do well, whether it is through a requirement or as an act of generosity
- Serve cheerfully with a good conscience, realizing that it pleases God
Guidelines for masters
Paul’s guideline to those who have authority are similar to the guideline given to fathers…
- Be a reflection of Christ
- Act toward those who serve you through service to them
- Exercise mercy and grace
- Discipline with a light hand, not in a threatening manner, but with a desire to help those under your authority serve better
Questions:
- What is the most important thing that a teen can do for their parents?
- How does obedience show love?
- Give an example of obedience that does not necessarily honor parents.
- How does honoring parents through obedience provide a promise to youth?
- According to this passage, what is the proper way for a father to discipline a disobedient child?
- If a father disciplines with wrath and fierceness, what is the likely result?
- How should a Christian serve those in authority?
- What are some service opportunities that teens can perform at the church? at home? in the community?
- Is it appropriate Christian behavior to serve in order to gain popularity or be noticed? Why or why not?
- Suppose you were a team leader with authority over several teens responsible for setting up a program. How should you treat those you have authority over?
