What does the Bible teach about obeying parents?

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?

It is very important to God that children obey their parents. Even Jesus obeyed His parents because He knew it was the right thing to do. Children should follow Jesus' example and obey their parents. Children who do so gain wisdom, respect for authority, and better learn to obey God. Children who do not obey their parents, on the other hand, set themselves up for an undisciplined life that does not bring glory to God. Parents play an important role in their children's obedience. Parents should not tear down their children or let them do whatever they want but rather teach their children what is right through sound, loving discipline. God sets an example for parents by disciplining us so that we can also learn what is right and become the righteous men and women He desires us to be.

FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT

• When the Israelites left Egypt, God gave them ten commandments He expected them to follow. The fifth commandment stated that parents were to be honored by their children and that, as a result, children would receive the blessing of long life in the land God gave them (Exodus 20:12).
• Children who want to become wise should listen to godly instruction from their parents (Proverbs 13:1).
• Disciplining a child out of love teaches them the right ways to live and can help keep them from foolish decisions and choices (Proverbs 22:15).
• Children should not be allowed to do whatever they want; parents should give godly guidance and teach children to make wise decisions (Proverbs 29:15).

FROM THE NEW TESTAMENT

• When Jesus was with His family in Jerusalem as an adolescent He went to the temple to listen to the teachers there. His parents could not find Him and were worried. When they found Him they asked Him to come with them and He listened and obeyed (Luke 2:40-52).
• We not only show obedience to our earthly parents, but also to our Heavenly Father who has welcomed us into His family as children. We honor Him by obeying His commands (John 1:12-13).
• Children who do not obey their parents and follow godly instruction can end up living lives full of ungodly decisions that lead them down harmful paths (Romans 1:28-31).
• When we accept Christ, we become children of God, choosing to obey Him just as we should our earthly parents (Romans 8:14-17).
• Children are commanded to obey and honor their parents. Parents should not discourage their children in efforts to gain obedience but rather guide in the ways of healthy discipline and wise instruction (Ephesians 6:1-4).
• Just as our earthly parents discipline us in order to teach us how to live good lives, God also disciplines us to help us grow and develop in our faith (Hebrews 12:7-11).

IMPLICATIONS FOR TODAY

When God created humans, He made us to be part of a family unit. Just as He gave specific roles to husbands and wives, He also gave a specific role to children. One of His purposes in creating the family was to provide us with relationships that would help us better understand our relationship with Him. God is often referred to as Father in Scripture, and consequently believers in Christ are referred to as His children. When Adam and Eve sinned, their disobedience separated them from God. He is holy, but they were unholy because of their sin. This separation passed down to all of humanity. But, God loved us so much that He sent His son Jesus to die on the cross for our sins so that we could be reconnected with Him and become His children if we will put our faith in Him. Although Jesus died for our sins, we still have to make a choice to submit ourselves in obedience to God. It is as we submit to God's ultimate authority that He works to transform our hearts and make us more like Him. Our earthly parents are not perfect, but we should continue to honor them throughout our life in obedience to our heavenly Father.

UNDERSTAND

• Obedience to parents is a command from God.
• Obeying godly parents helps children become faithful, responsible adults.
• Like we obey our earthly parents, we obey God and accept His discipline to help us grow.

REFLECT

• How do you currently show honor and obedience to your parents, and what changes might God be calling you to make in this area?
• How have you experienced God’s discipline and guidance that parallel the loving discipline parents give to their children?
• How does understanding obedience to your parents as part of obeying God affect your attitude toward family relationships?

ENGAGE

• How can we as believers support both children in learning obedience and parents in providing loving, godly discipline?
• What challenges do we face in honoring imperfect parents, and how can Scripture help us navigate those difficulties?
• How does the family structure in Scripture shape our understanding of our relationship with God as our Heavenly Father?