Who's In Charge Here? A Series on Authority
Wednesday, February 4, 2004
Authority Bible Study Calendar
Daily Bible Study Menu
A note about online study
My Prayer Today
Dear Jesus, I thank you that you are the Lord of my life. I acknowledge that I desperately need you at all times. I need you to help me live victoriously through your grace. Jesus, I ask that my home would be a place where you are glorified. I ask that it would be a place that facilitates peace and joy, rather than anger and strife. Help me to exhibit the fruits of the Spirit as I interact with my family members. Give me the grace to be a parent that shows forth your love. Don't let me give in to the temptation to be angry, but let me give in to the purposes of your Holy Spirit. I want to please you in all I do. I pray this in your name. . . Amen.
Bible Verses
Ephesians 6:1-4
"Children, obey your parents because you belong to the Lord, for this is the right thing to do. 'Honor your father and your mother.' This is the first of the Ten Commandments that ends with a promise: If you honor your father and mother 'you will live a long life, full of blessing.' And now a word to you fathers. Don't make your children angry by the way you treat them. Rather, bring them up with the discipline and instruction approved by the Lord."
Reflecting on God's Word
According to verse 4, why would Paul specifically address fathers regarding not making their children angry? Any thoughts?
Do you think that this means that children will never be angry with parents? If not, what does it mean?
Why would Paul include this remark to "not make your children angry by the way you treat them" in these verses?
A Deeper Exploration of God's Word
What types of things could Paul be talking about regarding not making children angry? (see Eph. 4:26-31).
Do you think verse 4 could apply to mothers as well?
Understanding God's Purpose for Us
Is all anger wrong? Does God get angry?
Is there a distinction between godly anger and our "natural" anger? To which do you think Paul was speaking of in verse 4?
Is it proper to ever discipline children in "natural" anger? Can our human/natural anger (apart from God) be matched with love? If you ever discipline your children out of anger, which type are you prone to using?
Applying God's Word to Our Lives
In your home, who is most prone to getting angry? How do they exhibit it most?
Are your children in the habit of being angry? Why?
Is their anything in your attitude, speech, or behavior as a parent that would help facilitate this habit of anger in them? If so, what?
Thoughts
I believe one of the greatest problems in American families today is the "passivity" of men when it comes to spiritual matters. This tendency to be passive regarding important spiritual matters can be traced even back to the Garden of Eden when Adam was passive in watching his wife eat the forbidden fruit. Many men today are not the least bit concerned about going to church, reading the Bible, and leading their children in righteousness. It is not to say there are not some wonderful exceptions – as there are many great fathers who make God a priority. But generally speaking, many men are passive concerning these matters and let their wives take the lead in taking kids to church activities. As a result, according to John Eldridge in his book Wild at Heart, "many women are tired." It is not that they do not enjoy church, nor taking kids there, but to always initiate spiritual matters without any help is a bit emotionally draining. This is perhaps a reason why Paul might be specifically addressing men in Ephesians 6:4.
Verse 4 states "And now a word to you fathers. Don't make your children angry by the way you treat them. Rather, bring them up with the discipline and instruction approved by the Lord." Paul here in this verse is explaining first "what not to do," and then "what to do." Today – let us look at what he says not to do. He says don't make your children angry by the way you treat them. In other words, parents should not be breeding a generation that is provoked to anger. But in many cases today, we see angry children. We see it in school shootings such as Columbine or drug and sexual problems – which many times can be traced back to parents abusing their authority by making them angry or just neglecting their children. It does not mean that at times your children will be angry with you, but they should always know that you have in mind what is best for them under the Lordship of Jesus Christ. Men in particular, who are specifically more prone to fits of rage and anger, need to heed Paul's warning against treating their children poorly. Parents are called of God to discipline their children, but in a way that ultimately desires that the child be brought "redemptively" back to right relationship with themselves, and with God.