Respect between Parents and Children

1. Respect between Parents and Children Psalm 128

2. R e s p e c t • Respect is present in every successful relationship, 1 Peter 3:5-7 • “You don’t respect me” is frequently said by children and parents • Goal: Show proper respect to each other Respect between Parents and Children 2

3. NOT… …merely treating the person the way they want to be treated …born of resentment or fright …just being polite (Lev 19:32) …just meeting phys. needs, Matt 15:4-5 (1 Tim 5:8) Respect between Parents and Children 3

4. IS… …giving due value, esteem or worth to another person, cf. Jesus, Lk 2:51 …having and showing proper regard for the other person, Matt 7:9-11 Respect between Parents and Children 4

5. Begins with Respect for God (Eccl 12:13) If one fails to respect God he has not yet learned its basic meaning: • Placing the right value on the object of our respect • Respect for God: Give God His Rightful Place of Honor, Exo 20:1-7; Psa 115:1-2, 9-13; Heb 12:5-6, 9 Respect between Parents and Children 5

6. Children: Honor your Parents, Eph 6:2 (Exo 20:12) Children are to so respect their parents that they willingly honor and obey them, Eph 6:1-2 (Exo 20:12) cf. Lev 19:3… -“Fear” is defined as not sitting or standing in a parent’s designated place and not contradicting a parent, while “honor” is defined as feeding parents, clothing parents, and helping them come in and out.” (Babylonian Talmud, Kiddushin 31b) Respect between Parents and Children 6

7. Children: Honor your Parents, Eph 6:2 (Exo 20:12) Children are to so respect their parents that they willingly honor and obey them, Eph 6:1-2 (Exo 20:12) cf. Lev 19:3… • To demean or diminish the dignity of your parents is to be disrespectful of them, Deut 27:16 • Disobedience diminishes the dignity of the parent (cf. God), Luke 6:46 Respect between Parents and Children 7

8. Children: Honor your Parents, Eph 6:2 (Exo 20:12) Children show respect by listening to, learning from and following the teaching of their parents, Eph 6:1-2; cf. Deut 21:18 • God-given responsibility to train, Eph 6:4 • So, the child ought to hear and obey parents • For the child’s good, Prov 1:8-9 (Eph 6:3) • Value the parent who gives it (1 Sam 2:22-25) Respect between Parents and Children 8

9. Children: Honor your Parents, Eph 6:2 (Exo 20:12) Obedient child is learning to respect God by respecting his/her parents, Col 3:20 Child who refuses to listen to his parents is not listening to God • Child who accepts parental discipline is learning to accept God’s discipline, Heb 12:7f • Child who scoffs at parental teaching hurts himself; The learner grows, Prov 9:7-12 Respect between Parents and Children 9

10. Fathers: Do not Provoke your Child, Eph 6:4; Col 3:21 Parents respect their child by training him or her for spiritual profit, Heb 12:5-6 • Do not provoke: Do not exasperate, whether by unrighteous, unreasonable or harsh demands, or by not fairly and faithfully nurturing him in the Lord • Domineering need to “be in control” is fatal • Address your child’s physical, emotional and spiritual welfare Respect between Parents and Children 10

11. Fathers: Do not Provoke your Child, Eph 6:4; Col 3:21 Provocation invariably leads either to… • Wrath (enraged against parent), Eph 6:4 • Discouragement (lose heart, feeling worthless and incapable of pleasing the parent), Col 3:21 • Give your child consistent boundaries and correction, Heb 12:10-11 • Children are like olive plants; unique, feed and tend to bear fruit, Psa 128:3 Respect between Parents and Children 11

12. Fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom – for the parent and the child (Prov 9:10) Respect between Parents and Children 12