Families Together Devotion: In Charge and Obedient

Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. “Honor your father and mother” (this is the first commandment with a promise), “that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land.” Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord. (Ephesians 6:1-4)

“If I was in charge, things would be different!”

How many times have you found that thought running through your head? I know I certainly have.

If you listen carefully, you can hear it in all different types of conversations. When people start sentences with, “Well, what you really should do is…” or “If I were you, what I would do…” or “What they really should be doing here…” what people are usually saying is, “If I were running the show, I could do a whole lot better job of it!”

Each of us is called to different roles and responsibilities throughout our lifetime. You will never be only in charge or only obedient. You will get plenty of chances for both roles, and likely you will discover that each is difficult in its own way, and each brings blessings, too.

God is very clear in the Bible about rulers, authority and obedience. Children are to obey their parents, and parents are to lovingly instruct their children. Kids, even at a young age, might be in charge of a pet, take on a leadership role in a club or group or be in charge in other ways, and this will increase as they grow and mature. With those responsibilities, young leaders, too, will be expected to handle the role of a leader with the proper care and nurturing those under them deserve. Parents and other adults can help mentor kids through this process and serve as examples.

Ultimately our obedience is to love and serve God above all others! We read in 2 John 1:6, “And this is love, that we walk according to his commandments; this is the commandment, just as you have heard from the beginning, so that you should walk in it.”

In what ways are you in charge in your life currently? In what ways are you called to be obedient?

Say a prayer asking God to help you to love and serve him more deeply in your roles both as a leader and as you obey.

Published November 19, 2014

2 John Ephesians 6

Related Resources

From Surviving to Thriving Back at School

This is the second devotion on the back to school year. Stress and social anxieties that accompany school experiences, but God is with us. He cares for us as our refuge and strength in trouble.

Starting Seasons Smoothly

This is the first devotion dedicated to transitioning back to a new school year. As we enter a new season, let’s embrace our new routines and live daily in God’s presence and providence.

The JOY of Living Love for Servant Events

This Bible study series reviews five scriptural stories of people who were called out of some particular place or situation by God and into service to Him and to others. This series was originally created to serve LCMS Servant Events during their week-long programming.

Heart of a Servant

In this six part Bible study and devotion series, we will look at what the a servant heart looks like. Explore how God is and makes us willing, prayerful, compassionate, brave, broken, and hopeful servants. This study was originally designed for 2018 LCMS Servant Events being held over a week.

Real. Present. God. for Servant Events

Real. Present. God. is a six session study with parallel devotions that takes passages from the book of Psalms, full of material about our God’s power and presence.