Inward Prayer

Small Group Questions:

1. 1. Are you more like your mom or dad? or grandparent? and why?
   2. How does your relationship with your parents/guardian affect your relationship with God?
   3. What does honouring your parents despite disagreeing with them look like?
   4. Read Matthew 7:7-12 what does this verse say about the character of God as a father?
   5. How can you see God working in your parents? or family?

Outward Prayer

THE MAIN POINT

Honouring our mother and father may not be easy, but is possible through the Lord and is an act of worship to him. Our earthly parents are not perfect, yet our heavenly Father is.

THE BIBLE

Exodus 20:12, Matthew 7:7-12, Luke 11:11-13

THE CONTEXT

Just as God created male and female, he also called them to multiply. (Gen 1:28) Families are part of God’s intended design for humanity and its purpose is love. Love that allows us to take care of one another. Although families are God’s design, they have also been broken by sin. Many people experience baggage and difficulties when it comes to family relationships.

Definition of a Parent or Guardian:

Everyone has a unique family dynamic. Families come in all sorts of shapes and sizes and the person who often takes the role of parent or guardian usually holds the responsibility for the well-being and raising of the children.

Scripture calls us to honour our moms and dads. (Exodus 20) God values this instruction so much that he listed it as one of the ten commandments. So, it must be important. The Greek word for honour means “to revere, prize, and value.” Honouring our parents means that we value, and respect their authority. An individual should seek to honour their parents in much the same way that they strive to bring glory to God—in their thoughts, words, and actions. The act of honouring a parent is an act of worship towards God. Being obedient to his word even when it is not easy.

Another way of honouring our parents is “being respectful in word and action and having an inward attitude of esteem for their position.” Honouring is not necessarily being in agreement, but communicating and acting in a godly manner; with grace, being slow to anger, being quick to listen, and relying on the Lord’s strength.

Parents disappoint, fail, and fall short. DISCLAIMER: Honouring does not mean condoning behaviours that are immoral or illegal. If that is your experience you are encouraged to share that with a trusted adult.

Be careful when comparing an earthly parent with God the Father. Parents don’t perfectly emulate God the Father. Matthew 7:7-12 describes God as a good gift giver, the perfect parent. He is a heavenly father, who is the best father, and will never fall short.

THE CORE

As you prepare the core of the message using personal stories and questions keep in mind these points:

1. Our earthly parents are not perfect, yet our heavenly father is.

2. God calls us to live in obedience, honouring our parents (Exodus 20:12).

3. The purpose of honouring our mother and father is an act of worship to God.

4. Honouring is not easy by our own strength, but possible with the Lord’s strength.

5. Many individuals have, baggage, and brokenness attached to their relationship with their parents. Recognize the Lord can work through all of it. Honouring DOES NOT mean condoning behaviours that are immoral or illegal.

THE APPLICATION

As you prepare the application, challenge and/or encouragement, keep in mind these points:

• Challenge them to surrender their relationship with their parents over to God, no matter what their family dynamic looks like, surrender it to him.
• Reflect on what the Lord has done within your family, how can you see him showing up?
• Encourage students to pray for their parents, some may never have.