A Word to Parents, Ephesians 6:1-4

How can you pave the way for a long and prosperous life for your children? Keep Reading…

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Ephesians 6:1-4 - 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.”
Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.

Meditate
Parents typically want the best for their children. They want them to live long and prosperous lives. According to the passage above, what is the best way that parents can see that their children prosper and flourish? Teach them to obey.

Yes, it's the child's responsibility to obey their parents. But, they need to learn this. It is the parents' responsibility to teach their children to obey. When a child learns to obey dad and mom, it is all that much easier to obey God. Parents that do not train their children in obedience are inadvertently training them to rebel against God. If children get away with disobeying parents, they will soon be shaking their fists at God.

As parents know, the process of discipling children is not an easy one. It requires much patience. It calls for age-appropriate moments of discipleship and obedience steps. When children are resistant, it is easy for the parents to get forceful, even angry. That is why Jesus says, "Fathers, do not exasperate your children…." Parents know how to "push the buttons" of their child, provoking them to anger. Putting weights of expectation on children that are too heavy will only lead to this exasperation or anger.

Parents, patiently persevere in the obedience training of your children. Don't allow contention to rule in your home. Pave the way for a long and prosperous life for the precious ones that God has given you.