Developing a Close Relationship With Your Parents

Our crazy group!

Lesson summary:

God has given each one of us exactly the right parents. Both Mom and Dad should be our heroes and #1 mentors, and we should strive to have an open relationship with them.

Proverbs 23:26 says,

"My son, give me your heart and let your eyes keep to my ways."

Honesty is important to a relationship with your parents, so we should purpose to keep a clear conscience with them. we should confide in them, ask them for advice, and avoid keeping secrets from them.

As Romans 13:1-2 says,

Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. 2 Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves.

Obedience is critical, but just doing what they tell us isn't enough: we need to have both outward and inward respect for them, both when we're in public or with friends and when we're at home. We should also try to go the extra mile and take initiative for jobs that need doing.

Philippians 2:14-15:

Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe. 

Pretty self-explanatory. ;)

There are many benefits to honoring our parents and developing a close relationship with them. For one, parents are more likely to respect us, give us more freedom, and take us seriously when we respect them.

Then, there's Ephesians 6:1-3:

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