Ephesians 6:1-4 Children, obey your parents because you belong to the Lord, for this is the right thing to do. “Honor your father and mother.” This is the first commandment with a promise: If you honor your father and mother, "things will go well for you, and you will have a long life on the earth.” Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger by the way you treat them. Rather, bring them up with the discipline and instruction that comes from the Lord. Colossians 3:20-21 Children, always obey your parents, for this pleases the Lord. Fathers, do not aggravate your children, or they will become discouraged. (NIV) - Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord. Fathers, do not embitter your children, or they will become discouraged. TO CHILDREN: 1. Children, obey your parents. 2. Children are to obey because they and their parents belong to the Lord. 3. Children are to obey because it is the right thing to do. Obedience will bring the right result. Exodus 20:12 Honor your father and mother. Then you will live a long, full life in the land the Lord your God is giving you. - Obedience means living within the protective wall that God has built around us. - Obedience means living according to God’s Word. TO FATHERS: 1. Take on the responsibility of being the source of love for their families. 2. Do not provoke your children to anger by the way you treat them. - a. Bring them up, that is, rear or nourish (ektrephete, provide for physical and spiritual needs). - b. Train them, including directing and correcting them. 3. Instruct them (1 Cor 10:11; Titus 3:10) in the ways of the Lord. Don’t believe the unbiblical advice that modern society tries to give you and me. - Lie number 1: “You can’t be a good dad.” - Lie number 2: “It’s fine to be an independent dad.” - Lie number 3: “Being a father is not important.” TO “CHURCH” FATHERS: The children who attend Mosaic need godly men to demonstrate the love of God to them. APPLICATION 1. With God’s help, I will obey and honor my parents in the way the Lord has commanded, for it is the right thing to do, and I know that God is pleased when I do this. 2. I will make every effort to raise my children in the training and instruction of the Lord, and I will ### be careful not to exasperate, embitter, or discourage them in the process. I will be there for them to encourage and cheer them on in all their pursuits. 3. We the men of Mosaic Church will make every effort to show the love of Jesus to the children and youth of this church. We pledge ourselves to be godly examples before them and show them the way to live as believers in Jesus.