Duties of Children Toward Their Parents

A Checklist Compiled by Bryan Gibson

From the Book of Proverbs

Children should…

· Do what is pure and right, because they become known by what they do (20:11).

· Listen to and keep their parents’ instructions (1:8; 6:20; 13:1; 23:22; 19:27).

· Learn to work and assume responsibility (15:20).

· Bless their parents (give thanks for them) (31:28; 30:11).

· Bring their parents joy by being wise and righteous (10:1; 15:20; 23:24-25; 29:3).

Children should not…

· Bring shame and reproach to their parents (19:26; 10:5)

· Forsake, scoff at, disobey, or despise their parents’ instructions (1:8; 13:1; 23:22; 30:17).

· Be lazy (10:5).

· Be foolish (10:1; 17:25; 19:13).

· Curse their parents (20:20; 30:11).

· Mock their parents (30:17).

· Rob their parents (28:24).

· Mistreat their parents in any way (19:26).

New Testament Teaching

· Children should obey their parents (Ephesians 6:1; Colossians 3:20; Romans 1:30;
2 Timothy 3:2).

· Children should be in submission to their parents with all reverence (1 Timothy 3:4).

· Children should honor their parents (Ephesians 6:2).

· Children should repay their parents (1 Timothy 5:4).

· Children should not be guilty of dissipation or insubordination (Titus 1:6).