Life is Good but Eternal is Better: Week #5 - Parent/Youth Relationship

Parent/Youth Relationship:

Key Verse:
Ephesians 6:1-3 - Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. Honor your father and mother"—which is the first commandment with a promise—"that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth."


Key Thought:
Like it or not, your relationship with your parents is the most important earthly relationship you will ever have. Like it or not, if your faith in Christ is real then it will prove itself in your relationship with your family. Which means the better your relationship is with God then the better your relationship will be with your family. You have the responsibility to love, honor and obey your parents even when you think they are unfair and demanding. That is quite a different picture than what the world paint. The world wants you believe that it is OK to rebel against your parents and to be disobedient at any chance you can. Of course, God’s Word paints a different picture.

The World Says…
It’s OK to rebel and be disobedient to our parents.
It’s OK to lie and sneak around our parent’s backs.
It’s OK to talk back and be disrespectful to our parents.
It’s OK to do what I want, when I want to, because it is my life and not theirs.
It’s OK not to listen to our parents because what do they know anyway.
(Ex. Homer Simpson)

God Words Says…
Honor your father and mother"—which is the first commandment with a promise”
If you can’t honor your earthly parents, how in the world will you ever honor your Heavenly Father?
Honoring your Father and Mother is more than the willingness to submit to their authority because you have to, but because you want to.
Honoring your Father and Mother comes from the overflow of the love you have for them.


PC Tips to Honor Your Parents…

1. Understand the Differences
a. From your point of view, parents are sometimes hard to understand. There are differences between the generations.
b. This is no barrier or this should not stop you from honoring your parents.
c. Work to resolve the differences of opinions you have with your parents.

2. Believe Your Parents are Doing What’s Best
a. Almost, always, parents are acting from a very strong desire to do what they believe to be best for you.
b. Don’t overlook the fact that you are indebted to your parents for the life they have given you!
c. Work at seeing the big picture.

3. Honoring Your Parents Includes:
a. Loving Your Parents
· The second great command is to love your neighbor. The closest neighbors you have are your parents.
· Natural love comes from your actions; spiritual love comes from the heart.
b. Submitting to Your Parents
· Submitting to your parents is shown in our attitudes towards them.
c. Obeying your Parents
· Obeying your parents is lived out in your from the overflow love you have for your parents and the wiliness to submit to their authority by obeying what they have asked you to do.

God’s children are called to honor their parents. Fortunately for some and unfortunately for others, you will only have one set of biological parents. As Christians, it is our duty to obey God’s word by honoring our parents. It isn’t always easy, but anything worth doing ALWAYS comes with a sacrifice. This sacrifice comes with a promise from God. I believe God will bless you for being a blessing to your parents. Take some time this week and work on being a blessing to your parents. You might be surprised how well things can be at home.