Bible Study: Honor Thy Father and Mother (as an adult)

I've composed and led a Bible study addressing the Fifth Commandment as an adult. It is obvious how we are to obey this commandment as children (albeit childen may disagree), but less so how to do so when we are fully-grown, functional adults. It is useful to examine the Biblically-established relationship that God wishes us to have with our parents when we are grown up and living on our own.

Scriptures for this passage include Exodus 20:12, Deuteronomy 21:18-21, Proverbs 20:11, Proverbs 17:6, Exodus 13:8, Luke 2:48-49, Ephesians 6:1-4, Colossians 3:20-21, and 1 Timothy 5:4.

Study Questions

1. When you were a child, your parents may or may not have taken you to church and instructed you in the faith. What is the spiritual role of the parent of an adult Christian child?

2. Can you fully honor your mother and father if they are not Christians? How do you defer to them and yet assert your faith?

3. Why did God include honoring ones parents as part of the Ten Commandments? Why is it so important?

4. The law in the Deuteronomy passage is pretty strict. Can or should its principles be applied to modern times?

5. There are no conditions or exemptions attached to honoring ones parents. How could one still honor a parent if he was to seek your participation or silence in something immoral or illegal?

6. Notice that the commandment is to honor one’s parents – not necessary obey them. Apply this concept to the aging parent slipping into senility.

7. How did Jesus – the perfect Son of God – honor his imperfect human parents?