The Privilege of Parenting
Article 4
By Mark R. Worden
As I continued my study on parenting I began to look at what the Bible says concerning the roles of parenting for the different members of the family. Each role is clearly defined in Scripture. We will begin with the child’s role in being parented. (This section of my study was heavily influenced by a sermon preached by Dr. Mark Minnick)
It is interesting that when God gave the Ten Commandments he specifically directed one command to the family. He did not address the father and the mother, as one might expect, but the child. The Lord said in Deuteronomy 5:16, “Honor thy father and thy mother, as the LORD thy God hath commanded thee; that thy days may be prolonged, and that it may go well with thee, in the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.”
Dr. Minnick explained that the word honor literally means, “to be heavy, be weighty.” And that it has the idea to give something or someone their full weight or stature. He then went on to show from scripture what is not honoring to parents and what is honoring to parents.
I. What is not honoring to parents:
a. A mocking attitude
Proverbs 30:17, The eye that mocketh at his father, and despiseth to obey his mother, the ravens of the valley shall pick it out, and the young eagles shall eat it.
Deuteronomy 27:16, Cursed be he that setteth light by his father or his mother. And all the people shall say, Amen.
b. A cursing attitude
Exodus 21:17, And he that curseth his father, or his mother, shall surely be put to death.
c. A rebelling attitude
Deuteronomy 21:18-20, If a man have a stubborn and rebellious son, which will not obey the voice of his father, or the voice of his mother, and that, when they have chastened him, will not hearken unto them:Then shall his father and his mother lay hold on him, and bring him out unto the elders of his city, and unto the gate of his place; And they shall say unto the elders of his city, This our son is stubborn and rebellious, he will not obey our voice; he is a glutton, and a drunkard.
d. A striking action
Exodus 21:15, And he that smiteth his father, or his mother, shall be surely put to death.
II. What is honoring to parents:
a. An attitude of fearing (respect) them
Leviticus 19:2-3, Speak unto all the congregation of the children of Israel, and say unto them, Ye shall be holy: for I the LORD your God am holy. Ye shall fear every man his mother, and his father, and keep my sabbaths: I am the LORD your God.
b. An attitude of glorying in them
Proverbs 17:6, Children’s children are the crown of old men; and the glory of children are their fathers.
c. An attitude of listening to them.
Proverbs 4:1, Hear, ye children, the instruction of a father, and attend to know understanding.
d. An attitude of obedience toward them
Ephesians 6:1-2, Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right. Honor thy father and mother; which is the first commandment with promise;
e. An attitude of caring for them in their time of need
1 Timothy 5:3 – 4, Honor widows that are widows indeed. But if any widow have children or nephews, let them learn first to show piety at home, and to requite their parents: for that is good and acceptable before God.
These scripture helped me to understand how I was to honor my parents. I trust that they will help you and your children as well. May the Lord richly bless you as you honor your parents and gain the blessing and promise of God of a long live.
Magnify! 