The Fifth Commandment (Honor Parents)
Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee. (Ex 20:12)
Parents are to Teach their Children to Know Jesus
Parents are to teach their children about the character of Jesus. (Mk 10:13,14)
Parents are to personally demonstrate the character of Jesus in their life. (Pr 31:10-31, Eph 6:4, Col 3:21, 1Ti 5:8)
Parents are to guide their children to have a relationship with Jesus. (Ps 71:5,17, Jn 17:3, 3Jn 1:4 compare Jn 14:6)
Parents are to Teach their Children to Follow God's Law
Parents are to teach their children to follow God's law. (Ge 18:18,19 compare Ge 26:5, Dt 4:9-13, Dt 31:12,13)
Following God's law is to be presented as a consequence of love for God. (Dt 6:1-9, Dt 11:13,18-20, Ps 40:8, Jn 14:15, 1Jn 5:3)
Following God's law is not to be presented as a means to eternal life in heaven. (Ro 3:20,28, Gal 2:16, Gal 3:11, Gal 5:4, Php 3:8,9, Tit 3:5)
Parents are to Engage their Children in the Family of God
Parents are to engage their children in the family of God. (Mt 12:46-50, Jn 1:12,13, Eph 3:14,15, 2Co 6:17,18)
Parents are to bring their children to church for worship. (Ps 86:9, Heb 10:25, Rev 14:6,7)
Parents are to bring their children to church for Bible study. (Ps 119:9-11, Isa 28:9,10, 2Ti 3:15-17 compare Pr 10:1)
Parents are to bring their children to church for service opportunities. (1Sa 1:20-28, Ps 127:3-5)
Each member of the family of God is to help young people grow spiritually. (Jn 21:14,15)
Each member of the family of God is to especially care for those with a missing parent. (Isa 1:17, Jas 1:27)
Jesus Honored His Parents
Jesus honored His Heavenly Father. (Mt 3:16,17, Mt 26:39,42, Jn 4:34, Jn 5:30, Jn 6:38, Jn 8:29, Jn 15:10, Lk 2:40-52, 2Pe 1:17)
Jesus honored His mother. (Jn 19:25-27)
Jesus also honored Joseph. (assisting Joseph in his carpentry work Mk 6:3 compare Mt 13:55, Lk 2:51)
Although Joseph was not Jesus' biological father, Jesus' generational lineage is given through Joseph. (Mt 1:16-25)
Young People are to Cooperate with their Parents
Young people are to cooperate with their parents. (Lev 19:2,3, Dt 27:16, Pr 1:8, Pr 13:1, Pr 23:22-26, Eph 6:1, Col 3:20)
Their parents' godly instructions will protect them and bless them. (Ex 20:12, Dt 5:16, Dt 11:8,9,21, Ps 144:12, Pr 2:1-11, Pr 3:1,2, Pr 4:10, Isa 61:6-9, Eph 6:2,3)
Young People are not to Unduly Postpone Commitment to God
Young people are not to unduly postpone commitment to God. (Ecc 12:1, 2Co 6:2)
Young People are not to Unduly Postpone Service to God
Young people are not to unduly postpone service to God. (1Sa 17:45-51, Jer 1:1-9, Jn 6:5-13, 1Ti 4:12)
Young People are to Stay away from Satan's Snares
Young people are to stay away from Satan's snares. (Ps 119:110, Pr 1:10, Pr 14:27, Pr 19:26,27, Ecc 11:9,10, Da 1:8, 2Ti 2:22, 2Ti 3:1,2, Jas 4:7, 1Pe 5:8)
Parents are to Correct a Wayward Child
Parents are to correct a wayward child. (Pr 19:18, Pr 22:15, Pr 29:15)
Example: Eli's sons Hophni and Phinehas (1Sa 2:12,16,17,22-25,29,34, 1Sa 3:12-14)
Correction is ultimately an act of love. (Pr 13:24, Heb 12:5-11)
Correction may be via transforming circumstances. (Nu 32:9-13, Ezr 9:7, Jnh 1:1-4,13-17)
Adults are to Continue to Honor their Parents
Adults are to continue to honor their parents.
Example: Moses and his father in law Jethro. (Ex 18:5-24)
Example: Ruth and her mother in law Naomi. (Ru 1:1-17)
The Punishment for Disobedience is Death
The punishment for disobedience is death. (Ex 21:15,17, Lev 20:9, Dt 21:18-21, Pr 30:17, Mt 15:4-6, Ro 6:23, Jas 2:10)
As our substitute, Jesus paid the penalty for our sins. (Isa 53:6, Jn 1:29, Eph 5:2, Heb 7:27, 1Jn 1:7)
God Establishes Order through Organized Leadership
God is a God of order. (Isa 9:6,7, 1Co 14:40)
God has established the husband as the family leader. (Eph 5:23)
God has established seniors as respected sources of experiential leadership. (Lev 19:32, Pr 16:31, 1Ti 5:1,2, 1Pe 5:5)
Note on Lev 19:32 and Pr 16:31: Hoary - "White or gray with age; as hoary hairs; a hoary head." (Webster's Dictionary 1828)
God has established pastors and elders as church (ecclesiastical) leaders. (Eph 4:11,12, Ac 20:17,28, 1Ti 3:1-5, 1Ti 5:17, Tit 1:5,7, Heb 13:17, 1Pe 5:1-3)
God has established state (civil) leaders. (Ro 13:1-7)
No leader is above God. God, His law, and His word are to remain preeminent above every other authority. (Pr 31:4,5, Mt 22:15-21, Ac 5:29)
No leader is to take precedence over God. (Mt 8:21,22, Mt 10:34-37, Mt 19:29, Lk 14:26,33, Lk 18:29,30)
No leader is an intermediary to God. Jesus is the only mediator between God and people. (1Ti 2:5)
Parents are to Demonstrate Respect for God's Established Leaders
Parents are to demonstrate respect for God's established leaders. (1Pe 2:13-17)
Mothers are to demonstrate respect and love for their husband as an example of the preeminence of Christ. (Eph 5:22-24, Col 3:18, Tit 2:4, 1Pe 3:1-6)
Husbands are to demonstrate respect and love for their wife as an example of the love of Christ. (Eph 5:25-33, 1Pe 3:7)
Parents are to demonstrate respect for the marriage covenant. (Mal 2:13-16)
The 5th Commandment Proclaims Peace through Law and Order
The 5th commandment nutures respect for God's appointed leaders.
The 5th commandment nutures respect for God's law.
The 5th Commandment Guides Young People to Know Jesus
The 5th commandment guides young people to know Jesus.
As they know Jesus, they will believe in Him as their Saviour.
As they know Jesus, they will follow Him as their Lord.
The 5th Commandment Preserves the Future of God's People
The 5th commandment preserves the future of God's people. (Pr 22:6, Isa 54:13, Lk 1:11-17, Mal 4:5,6)
Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.