Honor your father and your mother, so that your days may be prolonged on the land which the Lord your God gives you.
When children are young, it is clear they need the guidance of adults to thrive and be safe. They don’t know the danger of basic things like a hot stove or a busy street. Children’s lack of comprehension of the danger in the world makes them vulnerable. Parents and parental figures are pivotal at that age not only to teach but also to protect. As children grow older, the role of a parent changes, but it is not less important.
This command is unique because it includes a promise. God created the role of a parent to be an important relationship at every stage of life. Honoring parents looks different as we go through the different stages of life, from the time we are in their home to the time we have families of our own, but it is a command of God meant for our good. Honor doesn’t mean idealizing or ignoring any issues, but it does mean recognizing their role in your life, the influence they have on you, and the part they played in raising you. Honoring parents is not always easy, but we can trust that doing so is the way God intends us to live.
- What is your relationship with your parents? Is it easy or difficult to honor them? Why?
- What does it look like to honor your parents even when you disagree with them?
- Pray and ask for wisdom and patience to honor your parents.
