THE BOOK OF EPHESIANS, CHAPTER 6, PART 1

The Book of Ephesians

Pastor Brandon Cross

Woodland Church

 

THE BIG IDEA: 

The Gospel should affect the way we live our lives personally, in our communities, and with our families.

 

RECAP:

Ephesians 5
Ephesians 5 calls believers to imitate God by walking in love, living as children   of light rather than darkness, and being filled with the Holy Spirit. The chapter transitions from general moral purity to specific instructions on Christian relationships and domestic life.

 

EPHESIANS 6: 

The practical instructions continue for children-parents and servants-masters.     The letter concludes with the call to stand firm against spiritual evil by putting on the “full armor of God,” including the belt of truth, shield of faith, and sword of  the Spirit.

 

SECTIONS:

  1. Children and Parents (Verses 1–4)
  2. Bondservants and Masters (Verses 5–9)
  3. The Whole Armor of God (Verses 10–20)
  4. Final Greetings and Benediction (Verses 21–24)

 

CHILDREN AND PARENTS (Verses 1–4)

 

The Apostle Paul outlines the mutual responsibilities of children and parents within a Christian home.

 

(Ephesians 6:1-4) “Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. “Honor your father and mother,” which is the first commandment with promise:  “that it may be well with you and you may live long on the earth.” And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord.”

 

  • Verses 1–3: Children are commanded to obey and honor their parents “in the Lord,” because it is right. 

 

  • Core Meaning of “Honor”
    • To Be Heavy: In ancient times, a heavy or weighty person was viewed       as significant, affluent, and deserving of serious attention and value.
    • High Esteem and Respect.
    • Foundation of Society: Honoring parents is viewed as the bedrock of     the family.

 

QUESTIONS:

1. Why to you think this “honoring parents” is deemed so important to God? 

2. What should honoring parents look like across different life stages? 

3. What does it look like to honor parents in difficult or even abusive relationships?

 

  • The Promise Attached
    • In a broad spiritual and practical sense, the “promise” of a “long life” means stable family structures and respect for wisdom which promote safer, healthier, and more enduring societies.

 

QUESTION:

What does it mean about enjoying a long life if we honor & obey our parents?

 

  • Verse 4: Parents, specifically fathers as head-of-household leaders, are told not to provoke or embitter their children. Instead, they must raise them using the “training and admonition [instruction] of the Lord.”

 

(Ephesians 6:4) “And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord.”

 

  • The Negative Command: Do Not Provoke
    • Avoid Harshness: Parents must not use cruel demands, unfair rules, or constant criticism that crushes a child’s spirit.
    • Prevent Resentment: Acting out of uncontrolled anger or showing favoritism causes children to feel bitter and rebellious.
    • Cultural Shift: Commanding parents to consider a child’s feelings was revolutionary in ancient times when a father had absolute power over his household.

 

  • The Positive Command: Bring Them Up in the Lord
    • Nourish and Cherish: The phrase “bring them up” means to tenderly care for and nourish a child’s body, mind, and soul.
    • Discipline (Training): Provide firm, consistent boundaries and correction to teach self-control and accountability.
    • Instruction (Admonition): Teach God’s values, wisdom, and moral truth through gentle guidance and personal example rather than brute force.
    • Training (Paideia): Actionable Character Formation
      • Habit and Discipline
      • Correction and Boundaries
      • Leading by Example
    • Admonition (Nouthesia): Verbal Guidance and Counsel
      • Corrective Warning
      • Gentle and Warm Appeals. 
      • Encouragement
    • “…of the Lord”: Parents are not training children according to their own personal preferences, worldly status, or cultural trends.
    • God’s Standards: The ultimate goal is to introduce the child to God’s character, His grace, and His Word.
    • Reflecting God’s Heart

 

QUESTIONS:

1.  How do we “provoke children to wrath?” 

2.  Do you/did you find that this command is difficult to fulfill? Why?

3. What is the most important role of an earthly father?

4. Do you think we have a “fatherhood” issue in our culture? In the Church? Why or why not?

 

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