Scriptures: Exodus 20:12, Proverbs 22:6, 13:24, 1:8-9, 23:22, 30:17, Romans 1:29-30, Colossians 3:20, Ephesians 6:1, 1 Timothy 5:4

The Fifth Commandment in the Ten Commandments deals specifically with the issue of family. it is not only a command that speaks to children, but also to parents. Children who honor their parents are no accident. They must be taught and trained to honor their parents. This commandment presupposes that children who honor their parents, have parents who are honorable. As a believer our behavior should be such that we would always remember we carry the name of the Heavenly Father wherever we go and that means everything we do and say reflects back to our Father. In this message, Dr. Merritt explores how parents can raise God- and parent-honoring children.

"The Bible says that children are like arrows in the hand of a warrior. That is, they are to be pointed. Too many parents say, 'I shot my child into the air, and where he landed I know not where.' We are to direct our children toward God. We are to point them toward the Lord. 'Train up a child in the way he should go.' We are not to train up a child in the way he wants to go, but in the way he ought to go. The parent who says he does not want to influence his children one way or the other when it comes to spiritual matters; he simply wants them to make up their own mind; is a foolish parent. If we do not influence our children for God, we must understand the world, the flesh, and the devil is going to do everything possible to influence them against God." --Dr. Merritt

Keywords: Fifth Commandment, Ten Commandments, promise, honor, Dr. Ross Campbell, Professor Michael Novak, Syracuse University, love, tenderness, training, correction, Dr. R.G. Lee, Panama, South Carolina, Bellevue Baptist Church