“The Roles and Expectations within the Family” 6/18/06
“Be filled with the Spirit…submitting to one another in the fear of God.” 5:18, 21
Different kinds of SUBMISSION required.. Government, Elders, Family, Job
POINT 1-God calls children to respond to their parents by SUBMISSION Vv. 1-3
A. Children are to obey their parents and acknowledge their authority.
B. Similar to the wife, a child’s submission is according to FAITH .
C. Children, submitting to your parents is submitting to God.
D. Obey deals with actions, honor deals with ATTITUDE.
E. Once children leave the house, only honor is required (Gen. 2:24).
“And he who strikes his father or his mother shall surely be put to death… And he who curses his father or his mother shall surely be put to death.” Ex 21:15,17; Dt 21:18-21
POINT 2- God has called the father (parents) to submit to a child’s NEEDS V.4
“Every baby starts life as a little savage. He is completely selfish and self-centered. He wants what he wants when he wants it: his bottle, his mothers attention, his playmate’s toys, his uncles watch, or whatever. Deny him these and he seethes with rage and aggressiveness which would be murderous were he not so helpless. He’s dirty, he has no morals, no knowledge, no developed skills. This means that all children, not just certain children, but all children are born delinquent. If permitted to continue in their self-centered world of infancy, given free reign to their impulsive actions to satisfy each want, every child would grow up a criminal, a thief, a killer, a rapist.” Minnesota Crime Commission
A. Fathers are commanded not to create resentment: NEG COMMAND
1) Overprotection 2) Letting go 3) Favoritism 4) Overachievement 5) Discouragement 6) Love as tool for reward 7) Verbal & physical abuse 8) Pre-mature maturity 9) Comparing children
B. The positive command begins with our children being NOURISHED.
C. Parents are required to give instruction/discipline (“in the training...”).
D. There are physical, intellectual, social and spiritual needs (Luke 2:52).
E. This includes confronting them (“admonition of the Lord”).
Harvard sociologists observed 4 primary factors necessary to prevent delinquency in 5-6 year olds. 1) Fathers firm, fair, consistent discipline; 2) Mothers supervision and companionship during day; 3) affection of parents and for children; 4) family activities
“Children, be obedient to your parents in all things, for this is well-pleasing to the Lord. Fathers, do not exasperate your children, so they won’t lose heart.” Col 3:20-21