1. Parent-child relationships (1-4)

Everyone wants to live in a loving happy family relationship. But often rebellion, lack of discipline, negligence and misunderstanding at home ruin it. To have a godly family relationship, children are to obey their parents 'in the Lord,' and parents are not to exasperate their children but to bring them up in the training and instruction 'of the Lord.' Obedience to parents means honoring the order God placed in the home. Training children by setting a godly example means showing God's love and care to children.

2. Master-slave relationships (5-9)

God created everyone equally in His image. But the Roman Empire practiced slavery, and some Christians were slaves or slave masters. Paul instructed both slaves and masters on godly relationships. Slaves were to obey their masters with respect and serve them as if they were serving the Lord. Masters were to take care of them with God's love and to lead them by serving. The same principle can be applied for the relationship between employers and employees. The Lord of both Christian employers and Christian employees is Christ.


Application: Lord, at home and at work, help us practice the Lord's way through obedience and care.
One Word: Submit to one another