Daily Scriptures from Reverend Dan Johnson ~ Thursday, 31 October 2013 ~ Children, do what your parents tell you. This is only right. “Honor your father and mother” is the first commandment that has a promise attached to it, namely, “so you will live well and have a long life.” Fathers, don’t exasperate your children by coming down hard on them. Take them by the hand and lead them in the way of the Master. -Ephesians 6:1-4
I don't have children yet... not biological children anyway. Perhaps I have spiritual children. Either way I do know that being a parent is a great and holy responsibility. Some folks are more prepared for the challenge than others. Some are put in that role accidentally. Everyone grows into it. I do hear and understand that we are all individuals who choose how we respond to what we're inculcated with; I'm not trying to defend those who stray from any form of moral living. Yet parenting, whether done by parents or other influential adults, affects our very beings greatly, and thus requires we take responsibility for what we teach children, how we nurture, cherish and protect them, what we sacrifice for them, and how we exemplify following Christ. My first and most significant understandings of what it means to follow Christ came from my parents.
I don't have children yet... not biological children anyway. Perhaps I have spiritual children. Either way I do know that being a parent is a great and holy responsibility. Some folks are more prepared for the challenge than others. Some are put in that role accidentally. Everyone grows into it. I do hear and understand that we are all individuals who choose how we respond to what we're inculcated with; I'm not trying to defend those who stray from any form of moral living. Yet parenting, whether done by parents or other influential adults, affects our very beings greatly, and thus requires we take responsibility for what we teach children, how we nurture, cherish and protect them, what we sacrifice for them, and how we exemplify following Christ. My first and most significant understandings of what it means to follow Christ came from my parents.
Yesterday's text from Deuteronomy expressed God's instruction to parents: they're to be reflecting God's commands to children all throughout the day. In Ephesians we see that parents are also responsible for how they respond to their children. Commandments 5–10, the second portion of the Law (vv. 12–17), deal with one’s relationships to others. God is concerned about our relationships - including parent/child relationships. Being a parent and/or having a parent (biological or otherwise) is indeed an honor in itself. God takes these relationships seriously.
Do you honor your relationships? Why do you think God cares about our relationships with others? Do your relationships exemplify what it is to follow Christ? Are there any relationships (parental or not) that you need to work on? Why not begin this week?
Do you honor your relationships? Why do you think God cares about our relationships with others? Do your relationships exemplify what it is to follow Christ? Are there any relationships (parental or not) that you need to work on? Why not begin this week?
Esther
Esther Rodríguez
Associate Pastor
TRINITY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
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Trinity United Methodist Church
4000 NW 53rd Avenue
Gainesville, FL 32653 United States
(352)376~6615
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