Here's a small group guide based on the sermon "To Obey or Not to Obey" from 9/7/2025.
Small Group Guide: Honoring Parents and Authority
Opening Prayer
Key Takeaways:
1. The 5th Commandment shifts focus from our relationship with God to our relationships with others.
2. Honoring parents goes beyond obedience - it involves respect, support, and care.
3. How we treat our parents reflects our relationship with God.
4. God ordained our relationships with our parents before we were born.
Discussion Questions:
1. What does it mean to "honor" your parents? How is this different from simply obeying them?
2. The sermon mentions that the Hebrew word for honor (kavod) means "weight" or "heaviness." How does this change or deepen your understanding of the commandment?
3. Share an example of how you've seen someone honor their parents or grandparents well. What stood out to you about their actions?
4. The pastor shared the story of Jesus caring for his mother from the cross. How does this example challenge or inspire you in your own relationships?
5. How might honoring our parents look different at various stages of life (as children, adults, when parents are elderly)?
6. The sermon suggests that honoring parents is connected to honoring God. Do you agree? Why or why not?
7. What challenges have you faced in honoring your parents? How have you worked through those difficulties?
Practical Applications:
1. Reflect on your current relationship with your parents or parental figures. Identify one specific way you can show honor to them this week.
2. If you have elderly relatives, discuss as a group how you might practically support and care for them.
3. For those with strained parental relationships, brainstorm respectful ways to set boundaries while still showing honor.
4. Consider writing a letter or making a phone call to express gratitude to a parent or grandparent for their impact on your life.
5. If you're a parent, discuss how you can model honoring your own parents for your children.
Closing Prayer:
Thank God for the parents and authority figures in our lives. Ask for wisdom and grace in honoring them, even when it's challenging. Pray for healing in difficult relationships and for opportunities to show love and respect to older generations.
Small Group Guide: Honoring Parents and Authority
Opening Prayer
Key Takeaways:
1. The 5th Commandment shifts focus from our relationship with God to our relationships with others.
2. Honoring parents goes beyond obedience - it involves respect, support, and care.
3. How we treat our parents reflects our relationship with God.
4. God ordained our relationships with our parents before we were born.
Discussion Questions:
1. What does it mean to "honor" your parents? How is this different from simply obeying them?
2. The sermon mentions that the Hebrew word for honor (kavod) means "weight" or "heaviness." How does this change or deepen your understanding of the commandment?
3. Share an example of how you've seen someone honor their parents or grandparents well. What stood out to you about their actions?
4. The pastor shared the story of Jesus caring for his mother from the cross. How does this example challenge or inspire you in your own relationships?
5. How might honoring our parents look different at various stages of life (as children, adults, when parents are elderly)?
6. The sermon suggests that honoring parents is connected to honoring God. Do you agree? Why or why not?
7. What challenges have you faced in honoring your parents? How have you worked through those difficulties?
Practical Applications:
1. Reflect on your current relationship with your parents or parental figures. Identify one specific way you can show honor to them this week.
2. If you have elderly relatives, discuss as a group how you might practically support and care for them.
3. For those with strained parental relationships, brainstorm respectful ways to set boundaries while still showing honor.
4. Consider writing a letter or making a phone call to express gratitude to a parent or grandparent for their impact on your life.
5. If you're a parent, discuss how you can model honoring your own parents for your children.
Closing Prayer:
Thank God for the parents and authority figures in our lives. Ask for wisdom and grace in honoring them, even when it's challenging. Pray for healing in difficult relationships and for opportunities to show love and respect to older generations.