Colossians: Obey Your Parents

COLOSSIANS 3:20

 

Scripture verse: “Children, obey your parents in all things, for this is well-pleasing to the Lord.”

 

Objectives:

  1. Students should memorize the verse, comparing it with the 5th Commandment.
  2. Students should know the application of the verse in their own lives, and its limitations.

 

Background on the book:

            The letter to the Colossians was also written while Paul was a prisoner in Rome. It is unique in that it was written to a group of believers whom Paul had never even met! Paul had sent Epaphras to Colossae years before (while Paul himself was in Ephesus on his 3rd missionary journey) with the news of the gospel and a church was started.  Now Epaphras has come to Rome to tell Paul that the young church is having troubles.  But, while in Rome, Epaphras was also imprisoned and Paul had to send his return letter with Tychicus and Onesimus, along with the letter to the Ephesians. Where is Colossae?

 

Possible Lesson Plan:

  1. Open with Prayer.
  2. Review the historical background of the book. Locate the places on the map.
  3. Scriptural basis: Have each student read one chapter and report on its major points, hopefully initiating some discussion (Have more than 4 students? Break Chapter 3 into church and home components) Fewer? Have the teacher summarize the other chapters:
    • Chapter 1: What is the nature of Jesus Christ? Who is He? How is this stated in our creed?
    • Chapter 2: This chapter exhorts against false theology and false spirituality. What false theology did the Colossians face? What do WE face? (humanism, witchcraft, false religions) What about false manifestations of spirituality? Is all piety of God?
    • Chapter 3: What are the marks of true spirituality in the church? In the home? Where did we see this teaching before? (Ephesians) How can we identify worldly behavior?
    • Chapter 4: In WHAT should we continue earnestly? (prayer). How many of the people mentioned can we identify? Try for St. Luke, Onesimus, St. Mark, Barnabas.

 

  1. Scripture verse 3:20 -- Review several Biblical families for pattern and outcome: Abraham and Sarah (What about their sojourn in Egypt?), Isaac and Rebecca (What was the outcome of the deception of Rebecca and Jacob?), Ruth and Boaz, David and Bathsheba (?), Noah and his wife and sons (Ham?) 
  2. An orderly family:

In any organization, there must be order.  What order does God establish for the family? Who is the head of the family? Who established the pattern for Fatherhood? Is a father an absentee financial supplier? How is a father to order his home? Does a father ever make a mistake? Is a father ever inconsistent? (Students can give examples, if so inclined.) Should a father tell his children to do something he is not willing to do himself? (smoking?, going to church?)

 

What is the role of the mother in the family? How does she relate to husband? To children? How should children relate to her?

            

What is the role of the child in the family? What is obedience? Is our

obedience dependant on the “worthiness” of the father? What about the old saying, “Do as I say and not as I do”? Do we obey in these circumstances? Why or why not? What if the father commands us to disobey God? Do we obey?

 

            6. Close with prayer.