WALKING IN THE WAY OF LOVE

SIT-WALK-STAND series | Ephesians 6:1-9 | Don Horner | March 18-19, 2023

Follow God’s example (his heart),

therefore, as dearly loved children and ________________________________

Ephesians 5:1-2 NIV

Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.2 “Honor your father and mother”—which is the first commandment with a promise— 3 “so that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.”

4 Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.

5 Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect and fear, and with sincerity of heart, just as you would obey Christ.6 Obey them not only to win their favor when their eye is on you, but as slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from your heart. 7 Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not people, 8 because you know that the Lord will reward each one for whatever good they do, whether they are slave or free.

9 And masters, treat your slaves in the same way. Do not threaten them, since you know that he who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is no favoritism with him.

Ephesians 5:21-33 NIV

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LIFE GROUP QUESTIONS

READ ALOUD TOGETHER EPHESIANS 6:1-9 NIV

OPEN IT

• How do you treat children differently from the way your parents treated you?

• If you were a supervisor or manager or team leader, how would you get those you supervise to be more productive.

EXPLORE IT

• Why is a child’s obedience to his or her parents pleasing to the Lord? (6:1)

• How is obedience to parents’ part of a child’s obligation to Christ? (6:1)

• What does it mean to "honor your father and mother"? (6:2- 3)

• How does God’s commandment and promise to children hold true today? (6:2-3)

• What does God want fathers to do? (6:4)

• How is the Lord to be the center of parent-child relationships? (6:4)

• What responsibilities did bondservants have to their masters? How could bondservants serve the Lord while working for their masters? (6:5-8)

• What directives did Paul give to Masters? (6:9)

• How does God view rank or social status? (6:9)

APPLY IT

• What can you do to improve or strengthen your relationship with your parents?

• How can you avoid exasperating your children?

• How can you remember to serve all people, as if you were serving the Lord?

• What is one thing you can do this week to help nurture healthy family & workplace relationships?