Lowercase G
“Honor your Father & Mother”
Exodus 20:1-21 

Lowercase g: the god of control
A desire to be in charge of our lives instead of putting God in charge. 

You’re either a person under authority or you’re a person who makes their own rules. 

Exodus 20:1-21

Rules are never the starting point for a relationship with God.

“Honor your father and your mother, so that your days may be long in the land that the Lord your God is giving you.” –Exodus 20:12

Why is the 5th commandment important?
The family is where faith is developed
This commandment comes with a promise
It teaches us to honor those in authority 

What does it mean to honor (our parents)?  
kabod (honor) - to be heavy, be weighty, significant.

To honor is to treat others with respect, whether or not they deserve it, understanding the weight their position demands. 

How do we honor our parents at different stages of life?

1. Kids honor their parents with trust & obedience (Ephesians 6:1-3, Luke 2:51-52)  

“Jesus went down with them to Nazareth and was submissive (obedient) to them. And He increased in wisdom and in stature, and in favor with God and man.” –Luke 2:51-52

	Honoring authority in our lives is important to our social and spiritual growth.

2. Adults honor their parents with respect and appreciation (Proverbs 19:20, 23:22)

	Honoring parents when you’re outside the home is not as much obedience, but about respect.

3. We honor our aging parents through care and support (John 19:26-27; 1 Timothy 5:1-8)

“When Jesus saw His mother and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to His mother, ‘Woman, behold, your son!’ Then he said to the disciple, ‘Behold, your mother!’ And the disciple took her to his own home.” –John 19: 26-27

How can we honor our Heavenly Father?  
By submitting to His authority in our life – giving Him complete control (Luke 22:42)
By extending grace and forgiveness to others (Luke 23:34; Ephesians 4:32)