Title Ephesians 06:4 Parenthood of Christians
Contents Ephesians 6:4 / Christian Parenthood
The classrooms on the 3rd and 4th floors of Gyoha High School in front of our church are always lit up late into the night. Late at night, a myriad of cars line up to meet students from school. It is a tearful image of the hearts of parents who wish for the happiness of their children.
According to today's text, the role of a patriarch is to be careful not to lead his children to anger with their self-righteous decisions and actions. In the Roman period, when this biblical text was written, the authority of father and mother was absolute. The patriarchal family exercised absolute and unilateral power over all people and objects that made up the family. This autocratic father's power included not only the right to discipline, but also the killing of newborns and the abandonment of children. They had the right to dispose of their children as they wished to deal with slaves and goods. He could be chained to work on his own farm, and even sentenced to death.
It is not comparable to that, but even today, many parents, including fathers, are the strongest in the family. Fathers tend to think of themselves right. So they execute their will on their children. Some parents even inflict pain on their children in order to compensate for their lack of academic or social status through their children.
Children are also outraged by their parents' excessive favoritism or sarcasm. Children are bound to grow up with antisocial disabilities in a cynical attitude such as 'the world is like that' or 'live the world too'. When I say ‘a God like a father,’ I think about how many children think of a loving, rational, and warm father.
The Bible teaches us to help our children grow spiritually through self-control rather than the exercise of patriarchal authority. We are asking for the attitude of a moderate, gentle, patient educator. The Bible teaches that the mutual submission (Ephesians 5:21), characteristic of being a Christian, can also be achieved between parents and children. For example, it may be a way to respect children who are playing and lead them in such a way that they decide for themselves to leave, saying, “We have to leave after a while,” instead of saying, “Stop and let’s go!”.
Of course, this does not mean that children have to follow their wishes. When it is said, “Nurture them in the discipline and discipline of the Lord,” it is because culture refers to a kind of discipline. This discipline should be stinging enough to look sad (Hebrews 12:11). Caring is never laissez-faire. When a child behaves improperly despite sufficient warnings, parents must discipline themselves. It is also my experience that children don't get angry when parents explain the clear motives for the discipline and enforce the punishment.
Parents must also raise their children through discipline. To admonish means to give the law. It is a verbal explanation of biblical principles. Teach them Christian values, defend them with their children, and help them accept the biblical values as their own. The father's role is to give God's law to his children before making money or giving them education (Proverbs 22:6). It is the month of the family, the time to find the principle of family happiness again in the Bible.