What is the meaning of Ephesians 6:4? Fathers Ephesians addresses dads directly: “Fathers”. God appoints you as the primary shepherd of the home. • Deuteronomy 6:6-7 shows fathers impressing God’s words on their children daily. • Proverbs 4:1 pictures a dad saying, “Listen, my sons, to a father’s instruction.” • Joshua 24:15 sets the example: “As for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.” Your leadership shapes the spiritual climate more than any program or church activity. do not provoke your children to wrath The warning is negative first: don’t stir up anger. • Colossians 3:21 echoes it: “Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged.” • Over-critical words (Proverbs 12:18), inconsistent rules (Proverbs 15:1), favoritism, or hypocrisy kindle resentment. Practical checkpoints: – Watch tone: firmness without harshness. – Match discipline to offense; avoid over-punishment. – Keep promises; broken words breed bitterness. instead God never leaves a vacuum; He redirects. The “instead” shifts us from what to avoid toward what to pursue. Like Romans 12:21, “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” Trade irritation for nurturing, frustration for cultivation. bring them up The phrase pictures continual, patient nurturing until full maturity. • Proverbs 22:6 says to “train up a child in the way he should go.” • Psalm 127:3-5 calls children “a heritage from the LORD,” arrows to be shaped for flight. • 1 Thessalonians 2:11-12 compares parenting to gentle exhortation that guides children to “walk in a manner worthy of God.” Growing kids isn’t a weekend project; it’s steady care. in the discipline “Discipline” means structured training that corrects and guides. • Proverbs 13:24 insists loving parents “discipline” their kids. • Hebrews 12:5-11 shows God disciplining us “for our good, that we may share in His holiness.” Practical tools: – Clear rules anchored in Scripture. – Consistent consequences, never in anger. – Positive reinforcement celebrating obedience. and instruction of the Lord Instruction targets the mind and heart with God’s truth. • Deuteronomy 11:18-19 urges parents to teach God’s words “when you sit at home and when you walk along the road.” • 2 Timothy 3:15 reminds Timothy he knew the Scriptures “from infancy.” Ideas: – Read a short Bible passage at meals and discuss. – Memorize verses together (Psalm 119:11). – Let children see you seeking counsel from God’s Word (Psalm 1:2). summary Ephesians 6:4 calls fathers to reject provoking, resent-producing parenting and embrace patient, loving formation. Lead intentionally, correct consistently, and saturate your home with God’s Word. When discipline and instruction flow from a heart aligned with Christ, children glimpse the Father’s own character and are drawn to love and obey Him. |
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