God’s Image Study • Commandment 5: Father and Mother
Our examination of honor has followed life, instruction, and the responsibility of receiving. We now consider how a person’s response to those God sends relates to the One whose word they carry.
Receiving Those Sent
Jesus tells the disciples he is sending that receiving them means receiving him, and receiving him means receiving the One who sent him.
The passage preserves a relationship extending from the disciples, through Jesus, to his Father. It also includes the simple act of offering a disciple a cup of cold water. Recognition becomes visible through care. Read Matthew 10:40–42.
Earlier, Jesus tells these disciples that, when brought before authorities, the Spirit of their Father will speak in them. The people speaking and the source of what is given remain distinguishable. Read Matthew 10:19–20.
This continues an important thread in our study: the bearer carries what comes from the source.
Jesus Identifies the Source of His Teaching
In John 7, Jesus explains that his teaching comes from the One who sent him. He connects discernment with a willingness to do God’s will and distinguishes seeking personal glory from seeking the Glory of the sender. Read John 7:16–18.
This gives us questions to carry into every claim of spiritual instruction.
Whose will is being served? Where does the teaching direct our loyalty? Does the speaker seek recognition for themselves, or faithfully direct attention toward God?
A Mother’s Care and a Father’s Encouragement
Paul’s description of his ministry among the Thessalonians brings both parental roles into view.
He compares their care to a nursing mother cherishing her children. He then describes encouraging, comforting, and urging each person as a father does his children, so they would walk worthily of God. Read 1 Thessalonians 2:7–12.
Here, maternal and paternal language describes the character and purpose of care. Nourishment, affection, encouragement, and instruction work together for those receiving.
Paul then gives thanks that the Thessalonians received the message as God’s word, which was at work in believers. Read 1 Thessalonians 2:13.
The ones serving matter, and the word’s source remains God.
Recognition Requires Examination
First John instructs believers to test the spirits because false prophets have gone out into the world. The passage directs attention to the confession concerning Jesus Christ and distinguishes truth from error. Read 1 John 4:1–6.
Receiving faithfully therefore includes examining faithfully. A claim to speak for God must be tested; a familiar voice or impressive position cannot settle its source.
Returning to Father and Mother
These passages help us recognize parental roles through what they accomplish: nourishing, teaching, encouraging, and guiding others toward a faithful walk with God.
As we develop the fifth commandment’s spiritual connections, honor includes attending to that care and instruction while preserving allegiance to its source.
Threads to Follow
Correction that nourishes: Examine instruction that prepares its recipients to bear good fruit.
Recognition and humility: Consider whether familiarity or preference can prevent us from hearing.
Honor expressed through love: Bring listening, care, and faithful response together.
The books were opened…
🌿 By Maria Emilia
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