Obey Your Parents

J.J. Stark

February 2016

Week 6

IGNITE Class 10

Inductive Bible Study (IBS)

Obey Your Parents

“Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.” – Ephesians 6:1 (NKJV)

“Children, obey your parents in all things, for this is well pleasing to the Lord.” – Colossians 3:20 (NKJV)

“Children, obey your parents…”  that infamous phrase that has come to incur resentment at some point from almost every person during their childhood.  Often times grumbles, growls, and even outright protests closely follow it, especially in this day and age.  We live in a society that constantly supports and even promotes individuality, which has led to a sad consequence of increasing number of people selfishly demanding more and more personal rights.  More specifically, in the home to be independent has become children and teens disregarding, disrespecting, and even full-blown rebellion from their parents.  That all being said, I write with the guilt that cannot say I am exempt from this.  Yes, some cases are more severe and drastic than others, and I fortunately haven’t gone to those measures with my parents, but none the less I still have been plenty disobedient.  I have vivid memories, especially when I was younger, of driving my mother up the wall with my belligerence and hot temper when things didn’t go how I wanted…Actually, come to think of it, I still drive my mother up the wall, but not as frequently or as drastically, and now it’s usually seasoned with a lot more humor!!  During my early teenage years, I didn’t necessarily rebel, but definitely resented my parents’ advice on certain things.  However, the older I get, the more and more I am appreciating the knowledge, advice, and wisdom Mom and Dad instilled in me from my youth.  At this time in my life, as I am beginning to be more on my own and I have more independence, the more crucial I have found it to ask questions and for advice of them in all aspects of life, both spiritual and physical.  Yes, they aren’t perfect, but they do everything possible to help me grow in faith, and they make tremendous sacrifices so that I can live a good life.  Thank you Mom and Dad for “training me up in the way I should go, that when I am old I will not depart from it.” (Proverbs 22:6) Lately I have been asking myself the same question posed in Psalm 119:9 – “How can a young man cleanse his way?  By taking heed according to Your word.”  Well God, You say to obey my parents, because it is pleasing to You.  If I am to worship, honor, and please You Lord it is by respecting, loving, and pleasing my parents with all that I am, as their love is an example of Yours, and through this physical example You have set before me, I can come to know You more.

Application:  The next time I am able to, I will call my parents to first apologize to them for my past misbehavior, and to thank them for bringing me up in the Lord.