Bible Study: Parents

Hymn: 766:1-2 Our Father, Who from Heaven Above Psalm 93 Creed (Back Cover) Lord’s Prayer (Back Cover)

THE TABLE OF DUTIES

To Parents

Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.

Ephesians 6:4

• Why is the text only addressed to Fathers?

• What does the text mean, “exasperate?”

o How would a parent do this?

• Should a parent use the law at all?

• What does the “training and instruction of the Lord” include?

Prayer for Parents

Heavenly Father, You have given us the gift of children who are to be brought up in the training and instruction of the Gospel of Your Son. Give to all Christian fathers and mothers the strength and will to teach the Word of God to their children, and to see this responsibility as their most important duty. Deliver them from the temptation to abandon this sacred trust. Grant them faithfulness in their calling as parents, that they might love and care for their children even as You love and care for them in Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

To Children

Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. “Honor your father and your mother” – which is the first commandment with a promise – “that it may go will with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.” Ephesians 6:1–3

• Why are children to obey their parents?

• What is the promise attached to the 4th Commandment?

o How do we see that in action?

• What, for parents and children, ultimately, directs their behavior?

Prayer for Children

Heavenly Father, grant Your grace in Christ to all Christian children that they might honor their parents in spite of their failings, and enjoy a long and blessed life according to Your will; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.