The Ten Commandments
Q7. What is the Fourth Commandment?
Honor your father and your mother.
Scripture Proofs — King James Version
Exodus 20:12
“Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.”
Deuteronomy 5:16
“Honour thy father and thy mother, as the LORD thy God hath commanded thee; that thy days may be prolonged, and that it may go well with thee, in the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.”
Parent Guide
Discuss this question together
Discussion Questions
- 1
What does the Fourth Commandment tell you to do?
- 2
Why do you think God put this commandment right after the ones about worshiping him?
- 3
Which parent or authority figure is hardest for you to honor right now?
Illustration
God runs the world through people he puts in charge. Parents are his representatives in your home. A soldier does not get to pick which orders he follows from his commanding officer. When God says "honor your father and mother," he is not asking whether your parents are perfect. He is telling you that he placed them over you for your good.
Application
Choose one chore or instruction from your parents this week and do it without being asked twice and without complaining. Ask God to help you honor your parents as part of honoring him.
Read Luther’s expanded teaching
From the Large Catechism (1529)