Ephesians 6:1-9

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TALKS FOR GROWING CHRISTIANS

Instructions for Children, Parents, Slaves and Masters

BACKGROUND NOTES



DOCTRINAL POINT(S)

  1. Believers should submit to one another.
    a. Children should obey and honor their parents.
    b. Parents should discipline and instruct their children.
    c. Slaves should serve and obey their masters.
    d. Masters should serve and care for their slaves.

PRACTICAL APPLICATION

  1. How do you work when the boss isn’t watching?

QUESTIONS

  1. Why are slaves and masters mentioned?

  2. Why didn’t Paul just give a command to release the slaves and abolish slavery?

  3. Who is included in the term, “children,” in Ephesians 6:1?

  4. Why were the children addressed directly in this letter?

  5. Does Ephesians 6:3 mean that a godly teenager will not die young?

  6. What is likely to happen when a child does not learn to respect authority?

ANSWERS

  1. Because they were part of the first century home in the Roman Empire. The principles for slaves and masters can be applied today to Christian employers and employees.

  2. Slavery is neither condemned nor condoned in the New Testament as a social institution. However, if the principles of New Testament teaching are followed, slavery would not be practiced for long, and indeed, this is what led to the abolition of slavery.

  3. More than pre-schoolers, even teenagers are included in this term.

  4. It was assumed that they would be present in the church where it was read.

  5. Not necessarily. It means that learning to submit to authority in the home and honoring your parents is a principle that tends for long life. See Proverbs 10:27.

  6. They are apt to have psychological and physiological problems that tend for a shortened life span.

DISCUSS/CONSIDER

  1. Consider how parents should discipline and instruct their children. These ways are by not provoking them to wrath by nitpicking and nagging. Parents should be reasonable and consistent, not using undue harshness. Avoid breaking their spirit. Parents should discipline and instruct their children, bringing them up in the training and admonition of the Lord. List some well defined rules and practices that have worked in your home.

  2. Slaves were to recognize the authority structure and be subordinate to their masters. How does this apply to today’s work structure? If you are an employer, how can you apply this portion of Scripture to the treatment of your employees?

CHALLENGE

  1. How do you work when the boss isn’t watching? Apply Ephesians 6:6 to your work situation.

KEY VERSES

  • “Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. Honor your father and your mother.” Ephesians 6:1-2

  • “Parents, bring your children up in the training and admonition of the Lord.” Ephesians 6:4



Ephesians, New Testament, TalksDeb HarmsEphesians 6:1-9