Ephesians 5:21-33; 6:1-4 and 6:10:13
Ephesians is a very practical book. It deals with life's basic relationships. One of those basic relationship is children and parents. This study focuses on children.
In our world today there are many influences in the lives of children. Each of these influences seeks to mold the child to think and believe in a certain way. Some of these influences are school, media, friends, and others. The Bible gives the parents the responsibility to mold and raise the children God has given them.
Look at these verses from the point of view of raising children.
First Section: Ephesians 5:21-33: The importance of a healthy marriage in raising children.
Second Section: Ephesians 6:1-4: The importance of training children.
Third Section: Ephesians 6:10:13: The spiritual battle for children’s lives.
1. Recognize that there is a spiritual battle going on for the hearts, minds, and souls of children.
Key Concept: Transforming the way children think of gender is actually central to the transgender movement. – R. Albert Mohler
Key Verse: He was to teach them the language and literature of the Babylonians. The king assigned them a daily amount of food and wine from the king’s table. They were to be trained for three years, and after that they were to enter the king’s service. Daniel 1:4c – 5
Community Group Application: Parents pray for and with their children daily. Crossroads makes praying for children a priority at all events.
2. Building a strong marriage. – Ephesians 5:31
Key Concept: The best environment for molding a child is within a marriage between one man and one woman for life.
Key Verse: 2 Timothy 1:5 - I am reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also.
Community Group Application: Parents work on their marriages regularly. Crossroads offers opportunities for couples to grow in their marriage quarterly.
3. Deliberately mold your children in God’s ways while they are young. – Ephesians 6:4
Key Concept: O mothers, teach your children the word of God. It may spring up after many years. It may bear fruit unto eternal life after you are dead and gone. - D.L. Moody
Key Verse: 2 Timothy 3:14 - 15 - But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.
Community Group Application: Integrating God’s word and prayer is key to molding your children to stand firm against Satan’s strategies.