At Home and At Work

Ephesians: At Home and At Work

  1. At Home: ___________________ and ___________ in the Lord.  

1 Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 2 “Honor your father and mother,” which is the first commandment with a promise: 3 “that it may go well with you and that you may live a long life on the earth.” (Eph 6:1–3)
6 These words that I am commanding you today are to be on your heart. 7 Teach them diligently to your children, and speak about them when you sit in your house and when you walk on the road, when you lie down and when you get up. (Dt 6:6–7)

τιμάω (tee-ma-ō) means to treat them with _______________, assign them real value, and show that ___________ through your _______________. It’s not about flattery or empty gestures—it’s about deeply recognizing someone's God-given worth and acting accordingly.

1 But know this: In the last days there will be terrible times. 2 For people will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, blasphemous, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3 unloving, not able to reconcile with others, slanderous, without self-control, savage, haters of what is good, 4 treacherous, reckless, puffed up with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, (2 Ti 3:1–4)
Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord. (Eph 6:4)

  1. At Work: ___________ and _________ as to the Lord.

5 Slaves, obey your human masters with respect and reverence, and with a sincere heart, just as you obey Christ. 6 Do this not just when they are watching, as if merely to please people, but as slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart. 7 Serve with eagerness, as for the Lord and not for people, 8 because you know that each person, whether slave or free, will receive back from the Lord whatever good he has done. (Eph 6:5–8)
Those who have insight will shine like the brightness of the sky, and those who bring many to righteousness will shine like the stars forever and ever. (Da 12:3)
[Jesus said] “Whoever gives one of these little ones even a cup of cold water to drink because he is my disciple—Amen I tell you—he will never lose his reward.” (Mt 10:42)
Martin Luther wrote: There will be distinctions made also in yonder life, depending upon how person worked and lived here. … In short, before God all will be alike in faith and grace and heavenly essence; but there will be a difference in works and their glory.
And masters [κύριος (ky-rē-os)], do the same for your slaves. Do not threaten them, because you know that the one who is both their Master [κύριος (ky-rē-os)] and yours is in heaven, and with him there is no favoritism. (Eph 6:9)
Meanwhile, Saul [Paul] was still breathing out murderous threats [ἀπειλή (a-pā-lā)] against the disciples of the Lord. (Ac 9:1a)

Points to Ponder

  1. What is one thing that stood out for you from this week’s message?
  2. What are some of the biggest challenges you face at home or work?
  3. Why do you think Paul addresses both children and parents? What’s the balance of responsibility?
  4. In verses 5–8, how does Paul elevate the work of slaves (and by application, employees)?
  5. What do you think it means practically to "serve as you would Christ"?
  6. How might verse 9 challenge modern employers or managers?
  7. How can you honor your parents (or children) in your current season of life?
  8. What does it look like to bring your faith into your work without being preachy or pushy?
  9. Where is Christ calling you to greater integrity or humility—at home or at work? 

Homework: Ephesians 6