The Fourth Commandment

The Fourth Commandment is about honoring your parents and elders. It's about respecting those who have authority over you, particularly your parents, and by extension, other elders and authority figures.

Here's the scripture and where it's written:

The Scripture:

"Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you."

Where it is written:

This commandment is found in the Ten Commandments, which are given in the Bible in two main places:

1. Exodus 20:12 (New International Version - NIV):

"Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you."

2. Deuteronomy 5:16 (NIV):

"Honor your father and your mother, as the Lord your God has commanded you, so that you may live long and that it may go well with you in the land the Lord your God is giving you."

What does "Honor" mean?

It means to show respect.

It means to listen to them.

It means to obey them (when their instructions are good and don't go against God's teachings).

It means to appreciate them and be thankful for what they do.

It means to treat them with kindness and not be rude or disrespectful.

Why is this important?

God's Order: God established families, and parents are given the role of guiding and caring for their children. Honoring them reflects honoring the structure God put in place.

Teaches Responsibility: Learning to respect and obey parents helps children learn to be responsible, considerate, and respectful in other areas of life.

Blessings: The commandment promises a blessing: "so that you may live long in the land..." This can mean a long life, but also a life that is good and blessed, filled with peace and well-being because you're living in harmony with God's principles.

Builds Strong Families: When children honor their parents, it creates a stronger, more loving, and more peaceful family environment.

How can youth honor their parents?

Listening: When Mom or Dad gives instructions, stop what you're doing and listen carefully.

Obeying: Do what they ask you to do (like chores, homework, or going to bed on time).

Speaking Kindly: Avoid arguing, yelling, or using disrespectful language. Use "please" and "thank you."

Helping Out: Offer to help with chores or tasks around the house without being asked.

Being Grateful: Thank them for the things they do for you, like providing food, shelter, and love.

Being Honest: Tell them the truth.

Making Good Choices: Knowing that your parents care about you, make choices that would make them proud and wouldn't cause them worry.

Beyond Parents:

The principle of honoring extends to other elders and authority figures, like grandparents, teachers, guardians, and even leaders in your community or church. It's about respecting those God has placed in positions of guidance.

A Simple Analogy:

Think of it like this: Imagine you have a coach for a sports team. The coach is there to help you get better, teach you the rules, and guide you to success. You need to listen to the coach, follow their instructions, and respect their experience. Parents are like God's coaches for your life, helping you learn and grow.

It's important to remember that even if parents aren't perfect, the commandment is to honor* them. This doesn't mean agreeing with everything they say or condoning wrongdoing, but it does mean approaching them with respect and love.

I hope this explanation is helpful for the youth about this commandment! Let me know if you have any other questions.