Worship 301: God Among the Generations

MONDAY

The fifth commandment was not given to the children of the Israelites. It was an admonition given to the adults of the Israelite community. Of course, there is counsel for the children given in the Bible, such as Ephesians 6:1-3 and Colossians 3:20. The focus of the command given at Mt Sinai, however, was the treatment of the elderly parents by their adult children. This can be seen clearer in Matthew 15:3-9. What verb is at the heart of this commandment? What does the verb honor mean? (Look it up in a good dictionary). Why do you think this command carried such a heavy penalty if disregarded? What were some Pharisees doing to dishonor their parents? Have you ever dishonored your parents? Have you ever used religion as an excuse not to meet your family obligations? Has your relationship with your parents made it easy or difficult to honor them? Write Proverbs 23:22 on an index card and memorize it.

TUESDAY

In the New Testament, Paul says this commandment is the first commandment with a promise: Ephesians 6:2. How does honoring your parents make your life longer or better? How has honoring your parents contributed to your personal welfare? Have you held back from honoring your parents? If so, how has that attitude contributed to the kind of relationship you have now with them? Can you think of any justifiable exceptions to this duty in the Scriptures? Check out Matthew 10:37-39; Mark 10:29-30. What are you to do if your family stands in your way of serving the Lord? Are you to honor their stand, if it is against what the Scriptures teach? What other situations could you think of where a parent might have betrayed their trust to their children? Abuse? Abandonment? Neglect? Have these things caused you to harbor hatred and dissension? Have you brought them the reconciliation they need between them and God? Have you exhausted your efforts of attempting reconciliation? (See Romans 12:18). Write Hebrews 12:14 on an index card and memorize it.

WEDNESDAY

At the heart of the fifth commandment you find the preservation of society’s basic unit: the family. No nation whose family units are crumbling can stand and prosper. How do you feel about the role of a mother and father? What responsibilities do they perpetuate in our society? If you are married, sit down with your spouse and make a list of your individual and dual responsibilities to your community/society. Have you overlooked the impact you can have, even more so as children of God? If you have children, are you bringing them up to respect you for your discipleship in Christ? Do you use your family to make statements in your community? (i.e. PTA Meetings, Neighbor’s kid’s birthdays, hospitality, etc.) Are you seeking to use your marriage and your children to honor your own mother and father? How are you fostering the ties that exists in your own household and beyond the household amongst your mother and father? Write Proverbs 30:17 on an index card and memorize it.

THURSDAY

Sit down together with your spouse (if applicable) for today’s quiet time. Recalling what Paul said in Ephesians 6:1-4 , what are some blessings that come to you by giving honor to your parents? What would happen to a society’s sense of respect toward authority if the fifth commandment was to be overlooked? Do you think this is happening in our society? Read Manoah’s request to God in Judges 13:6-8. How important was it for Manoah to raise up his child right in the eyes of God? Do you think he was open to advice? How open to advice are you about raising up your child? How important is this in teaching your child about honor? How important is your relationship with your parents in teaching your child about honor? Write Proverbs 22:6 on an index card and memorize it.

FRIDAY

Read 1 Timothy 5:1-8. List the ways this passage teaches to give honor regarding the elderly and the young. How is your religion defined, according to verse 4? According to this verse, do you owe something to your parents? Is there something to be repaid? What about if your parents abused you or neglected you? Is this honor still something pleasing to God? How is honor defined in verse 8? What is being equaled to being worse than an unbeliever? Have you ever been in this position? How do you honor older members of your family? of your work environment? of the church? How can one honor a parent who has Alzheimer’s? Cancer? The relationship that you have with your parents ultimately reflects the relationship you have with your Heavenly Father. Read Hebrews 12:7-11. How can your relationship with your parents affect your relationship with your Father in Heaven? Write Proverbs 30:17 on an index card and memorize it. Write Proverbs 23:24-25 on an index card and memorize it.

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