8 Words To Change Your Family: Honor Series

• Place great value on your relationship with them. Knock off the attitude that says, “It doesn’t matter.”

• Take the initiative to improve the relationship in whatever increments you can.

• Recognize that your parents have done some things right.

• Thank your parents for the sacrifices they have made for you.

• See your parents as Christ sees them.

• Forgive them, even as God in Christ has forgiven you.

3. Parents, are you showing honor to your kids, or do you more often treat them as something not very valuable? Are you calling your kids to an attitude of honor that is reflected in their actions? Dads, are you doing what Ephesians 6:4 commands? “Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.” Colossians 3:21 adds, “Fathers, do not embitter your children, or they will become discouraged.”

As Pastor Jeff has said before, we want to provide resources to help parents live their faith out at home. In light of that, we have free copies of the book “Faith at Home Dads” available for every father today. Check out this statement from a sermon by Ray Fowler: “You can’t change your ancestors, but you can do something about your descendants!”

4. Adults, are you honoring your aging parents today? Are you looking for ways to demonstrate care and concern? Leviticus 19:32 says that we are to, “Rise in the presence of the aged, show respect for the elderly and revere your God.” While Beth and I have not had to do this yet, we want to be ready to care for our parents if they need us. 1 Timothy 5:3-4 says, “Give proper recognition to those widows who are really in need. But if a widow has children or grandchildren, these should learn first of all to put their religion into practice by caring for their own family and so repaying their parents and grandparents, for this is pleasing to God.”

There is a Grimm’s Fairy Tale about a family with two children and an elderly grandfather. The grandfather could no longer eat neatly at the table. At first the parents rebuked him; then they made him sit in the corner; eventually they took away his knife, fork and spoon and placed food in a trough where he would eat with his fingers. One day the parents saw their children playing outside with some wood, a saw, a hammer and nails. “What are you building?” they asked. They replied: “A trough for you when you get old!” Are you taking care of your elderly parents? What are you teaching your children right now about honoring the elderly?

5. How are you doing at honoring God? Is He weighty to you or do you regard Him as worthless? Psalm 29:2: “Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name; worship the Lord in the splendor of his holiness.” I still remember a verse I was taught my freshman year at Moody Bible Institute. During my Old Testament survey class at Moody, our professor hammered home the importance of honoring God in 1 Samuel 2:30. I’ll never forget it because he emphasized it so much: “Those who honor me I will honor, but those who despise me will be disdained.”