Lindisfarne Anglican Church Podcast

Lindisfarne Anglican Church

Listen to our latest talk and be encouraged as you take your next step in your journey with Jesus.

  1. Oct 11

    The Church of Today: Children, Parents, and the Family of God | Ephesians 6:1-4

    Families matter to God—both our biological families and the church family. Following the Genesis series on God's purposes through Jacob's family, this sermon turns to Ephesians 6:1-4 to ask what it means for children, parents, and the whole church to live together as God's people. 1. Children and the Church Family: Paul speaks directly to children: "Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 'Honour your father and mother'—which is the first commandment with a promise—'so that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth'" (Eph. 6:1-3). By addressing them, Paul assumes children are present in the gathered church and able to respond to God themselves. They are not merely the church of the future; they are the church of today. This continues the Old Testament pattern of assembling men, women, and children to hear God's word. In Ephesians the whole church—including the young—is being built together into a dwelling place for God (Eph. 2:22) and called to bear with one another in love across generations (Eph. 4:1-2). 2. Parents and Discipleship: Paul then addresses fathers: "Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord" (Eph. 6:4). In a culture of absolute parental power, Paul calls for restraint and purposeful discipleship. The goal is not primarily happiness or worldly success, but that children love and serve Jesus above all else. Parents (fathers especially, with mothers and grandparents also vital) are the primary disciples of their children; the church partners with them but does not take over. This happens in ordinary life—talking about church on the way home, reading Scripture together, and living out authentic faith in decisions, priorities, and everyday choices (echoing Deuteronomy 6). Conclusion: God wants young people to love Jesus so much that they obey their parents as part of their discipleship, and parents to love Jesus so much that they long for their children to know and serve Him. As a church family we are called to get alongside both our young people and our parents—encouraging, praying for, and investing in one another—so that we grow together as one intergenerational family for God's glory.

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Listen to our latest talk and be encouraged as you take your next step in your journey with Jesus.