Harmony in the Home

In one paragraph

This message was the fifth talk in a series through Ephesians, and it was given by Deborah's co-teacher covering Ephesians 6:1-9. The focus was on motivation: every relationship in the home and workplace, between children and parents and between employees and employers, is lived out as service to Christ. Being filled with the Spirit, which Deborah had covered the week before, is what makes that...

Read together

1. Ephesians 6:1-9 the main text of the sermon, read in full at the outset
2. Hebrews 12:6 quoted to show that God disciplines those He loves, used as motivation for parenting
3. 1 Samuel (reference not given) quoted to say obeying is better than sacrifice and listening better than the fat of rams
4. Joel 2:25 quoted to offer hope that God can restore lost years and brokenness
5. John 17:1 Jesus saying 'Father, the hour has come, glorify Thy Son that Thy Son may glorify Thee,' used to show Christ pointing to the Father even at the cross
6. 2 Timothy 3:13-17 quoted about continuing in sacred writings learned from childhood, leading to salvation and equipping for good work
7. Mark 10:45 quoted to show Christ's example of serving rather than being served
8. Philippians 2:3-8 quoted about humility and Christ emptying Himself, applied to parenting as laying down rights for the good of children
9. Colossians 3:23 quoted to encourage doing all work heartily as for the Lord rather than for men
10. John 16:14 quoted to show that the Holy Spirit glorifies Jesus
11. 1 Corinthians 10:31 quoted to sum up that whatever we do should be done to the glory of God

Talk about it

1. The speaker shared that in her small group, instead of taking prayer requests, each person named which area they most needed the Spirit's help in that week. What would your honest answer have been if you had been in that group?
2. The speaker's mother said that to the extent a child obeys her parents is the extent she will obey God when she is older. Do you think that connection holds true? What have you seen in your own life or in people you know that supports or complicates that idea?
3. The book the speaker mentioned describes honor as treating people as special, doing more than what is expected, and having a good attitude. Thinking about a relationship in your own life right now, whether with a parent, a child, an employer, or a spouse, where is the gap between obedience and honor for you personally?
4. The speaker pointed to two ways Christ instructed: constantly directing people back to the Father, and serving. How do you see those two things showing up, or failing to show up, in the way you carry out whatever role of authority or responsibility you hold at home or at work?
5. The closing Piper quote says we should 'turn all our daily doings into an offering of worship' to Jesus. What is one specific, ordinary part of your week that you have never really thought of that way, and what would it look like if you did?