It’s hard being told what to do.
Doesn’t matter what age you are, it just doesn’t always sit right. Especially if we can’t see why we’re supposed to do something. Thankfully, God doesn’t just tell us what to do. He also tells us why it matters. God says, “Children, obey your parents in the Lord.” Those last three words, “in the Lord,” connect obedience to our relationship with God. It’s not just about rules at home – it’s about living as the Lord’s people.
And it’s not just obedience. God wants us to honor our parents. That means listening carefully, speaking respectfully, and valuing them as God’s representatives for our lives. God calls children to honor their parents, even and especially when it’s hard, because that reflects trust in him.
What’s great is that God attaches a promise to this command: “that it may go well with you.” That’s not a guarantee that life will always be easy, but it’s God’s guarantee that doing things his way leads to blessing.
Of course, no family does this perfectly. Children disobey. Parents fall short.
That’s why we look to Jesus, who perfectly obeyed and honored his Father in our place.
Through him, we are forgiven and are given new hearts that want to follow God’s ways. With those new hearts, we see respect and honor in the family not as a burden, but as a response to God’s love!
Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. “Honor your father and mother” – which is the first commandment with a promise – “so that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.”
Keep the Conversation Going
For Younger Kids:
- What does it mean to honor your parents?
- Can you name one way to show respect at home today?
- Who helps us obey and honor others?
For Older Kids:
- What does it mean to obey your parents “in the Lord”?
- Why do you think God connects this command to a promise?
- How does the gospel (what Jesus has done) motivate us to respect and honor our parents?
