Ephesians 6

Walking Through Ephesians 6 Together

Parenting, Authority, and the Armor of God

It felt like perfect timing that our kids came up to chat with us just as we began studying Ephesians 6. God has a way of weaving the practical with the spiritual, doesn’t He? This passage brings us face-to-face with the realities of parenting, authority, and spiritual warfare—topics that reach into every area of our daily lives.

Honoring and Guiding: Parenting Under God’s Authority

Ephesians 6 begins with a simple but profound command:

“Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. ‘Honor your father and mother’—which is the first commandment with a promise.”

That promise comes from Exodus 20:12, where God connects obedience and honor with the blessing of a long and fruitful life. When we honor authority—our parents, our leaders, and ultimately God—we invite peace and order instead of chaos.

We’ve learned that authority, when exercised with grace, reflects God’s own heart toward us. As Paul David Tripp says in 14 Gospel Principles for Parenting, understanding that authority is good helps us accept and even celebrate God’s sovereignty in our lives.

Paul also warns parents not to provoke or exasperate our children. That word “exasperate” means to have unreasonable expectations—something we’re all tempted to do. Instead, Scripture invites us to “take them by the hand” (as The Message paraphrase puts it) and guide them gently.

For us, this looks like slowing down in moments of tension, asking questions, and reminding our kids that our instructions come from a place of love and protection. When we model grace and repentance—when we say, “I’m sorry” and explain why—we’re teaching the gospel in action.

Parenting isn’t just about discipline; it’s about discipleship. The root word is the same. Whether it’s reading Scripture at breakfast, practicing forgiveness at dinner, or tithing after earning “10 dimes” from a small job, these moments shape our kids’ understanding of who God is and how He loves.

Making Faith Desirable Through Everyday Living

We’ve often said that faith is more caught than taught. Kids—and really, anyone under our influence—are far more likely to follow what we live than what we say.

That’s why we ask ourselves questions like, Are we expecting something from our kids that we’re not doing ourselves? It’s unreasonable to tell them to attend church if we stay home, or to preach forgiveness if we hold grudges.

When we talk about sharing, honesty, or kindness, we want to make these things desirable—something that draws their hearts, not just demands their obedience. The way we speak, our tone, posture, and eye contact—all of it communicates the beauty of God’s ways.

And this applies far beyond parenting. Whether we’re mentoring a younger believer, encouraging a co-worker, or caring for nieces and nephews, God has entrusted people under our spiritual care. The call is the same: lead with grace, model the truth, and make the ways of the Lord appealing through our example.

Suited Up: The Armor of God

The final section of Ephesians 6 shifts our focus from the family to the battlefield—the spiritual battlefield. Paul reminds us that though we live in physical bodies, we’re spiritual beings engaged in a very real spiritual war.

Each day, we need to “put on the full armor of God.” The belt of truth holds everything together. The breastplate guards our hearts. The helmet protects our minds. Our feet are fitted with the gospel of peace. And the sword of the Spirit—the Word of God—is our only offensive weapon.

We like to ask our kids, “How big is your sword?” If the only Scripture we know is “Jesus wept,” our sword is more like a butter knife! But as we memorize and meditate on God’s Word, that sword grows stronger. His truth equips us to face each day’s battles with faith, confidence, and peace.

We can’t walk through life unaware of the unseen forces at work. When we “suit up,” we’re reminded that we belong to a kingdom greater than this world—and that every ordinary day is an opportunity to fight the good fight with grace and courage.

Walking It Out

Ephesians 6 calls us to live out our faith in the most relational parts of life—our homes, our workplaces, and our hearts. Whether we’re guiding our children, mentoring others, or facing spiritual challenges, we’re invited to reflect the authority, love, and protection of our Heavenly Father.

So, as we keep learning (and stumbling) through this journey, may we daily ask:
Are we honoring the Lord with how we love, lead, and live?

Let’s keep walking together—in truth, in grace, and fully suited in the armor of God.