Mother's Day Gifts
Sermon
HOME IS A FOUR-LETTER WORD
PREACHING RESOURCES TO STRENGTHEN CHRISTIAN MARRIAGES AND FAMILIES
(A Mother's Day Sermon)
How hard it is to find a capable wife! She is worth far more than jewels! Her husband puts his confidence in her, and he will never be poor. As long as she lives, she does him good and never harm. She keeps herself busy making wool and linen cloth. She brings home food from out-of-the-way places, as merchant ships do. She gets up before daylight to prepare food for her family and to tell her servant girls what to do. She looks at land and buys it, and with money she has earned she plants a vineyard.
She is a hard worker, strong and industrious. She knows the value of everything she makes, and works late into the night. She spins her own thread and weaves her own cloth. She is generous to the poor and needy. She doesn't worry when it snows, because her family has warm clothing. She makes bedspreads and wears clothes of fine purple linen.
Her husband is well known, one of the leading citizens. She makes clothes and belts, and sells them to merchants. She is strong and respected and not afraid of the future. She speaks with a gentle wisdom. She is always busy and looks after her family's needs. Her children show their appreciation, and her husband praises her.
He says, "Many women are good wives, but you are the best of them all." Charm is deceptive and beauty disappears, but a woman who honors the Lord should be praised. Give her credit for all she does. She deserves the respect of everyone.
Johnny was complaining to a friend about how hectic his days were since he got his first job. "I get up at 6:00 each morning and eat my breakfast," he said. The friend asked, "You mean you get up and fix your own meal?" "No," said Johnny. "My mother prepares it for me. She has to cook Dad's breakfast by 6:30 anyway."
The friend replied, "Gosh, your mom gets up that early just to fix breakfast?" "Oh, no," said the young man. "She likes to get up early. It gives her more time to do the things she enjoys - like mopping the floors, dusting furniture, shopping for groceries, and preparing lunch for me and Dad."
"I see," said the friend, "but she does have the afternoon for herself?" "Oh, yes," was the reply. "She spends that time playing with my little sister, sewing, and preparing supper, 'cause my dad and I like to have supper on the table when we come home after a hard day's work. We think that's fair; after all, Mother doesn't work!"
Such an attitude brings chuckles and groans because it is so ridiculous. Just because a mother or wife is not employed outside the home, it doesn't mean that she doesn't work. You may have heard your husband or father say that on occasion, but I'd be willing to bet that very few men would trade jobs with you.
Mothers, we know that you have a twenty-four-hour-a-day job, one which demands not only all your time, but also all of your attention and energy. Because of that realization, we salute you today, in the fashion that we should honor you every day - for all you do for us and for all you give to your family.
(Mother's Day was declared an annual National Holiday in 1914 by President Woodrow Wilson. He directed the Congress to designate the second Sunday of May as a special day for public expression of love and reverence for the mothers of America. Since that time there has been a "Mother's Day," and, I must say that even in 1914, it was long overdue.)
Few of us show our mothers the depth of love, honor, and respect that we should. We know we don't, and we feel guilty about it. So on Mother's Day, we try to make up for our failure by giving MOM gifts to symbolize our true feelings of affection and appreciation.
We give all sorts of gifts which range from the extravagant to the simple, from store-bought to the homemade, from fancy flowers to fattening foods. We should shower Mother with gifts, for indeed she needs to be reminded of our love and gratitude for all she has done. My chief concern is that this gift-giving not be relegated to just one day a year. We should give to Mother each day. This morning, I want to suggest several gifts of a non-materialistic, noncommercial nature, that are necessary in the Christian family and should be given each day.
Honor
Let me begin by speaking to you Sons and Daughters. Children, no matter what age you are, from nine months to ninety years, no matter how many children of your own you have, the Bible says that the gift you should give your Mother every day is honor!
One of our Ten Commandments says, "Honor your Father and Mother ..." That means that we children are to treat our mothers with great respect, in how we act toward them and in the way we speak to them. Did you realize that in ancient Israel, if a child cursed his mother, he was to be stoned to death? (Exodus 21:17) They took God's law very seriously.
Nothing angers me more than to hear children speak sarcastically, hatefully, or sharply to their mothers. That is contrary to God's will! The Lord demands that you speak with utmost love and respect to your Mother. She is the instrument through which God gave you life. She put her life in jeopardy in order to give you birth. She has sacrificed many of the luxuries of life in order to feed, clothe and educate you. So you must never be dishonorable to your mother in the way that you speak to her or about her. You must offer her the gift of honor in what you say.
You must also give her honor in the way you live. Whether we want it to be this way or not, the way we live is a reflection upon our parents. So, if you really want to honor your mother, you should live in a way that she will be proud of. You must live an honorable life.
One day, several convicts were in a prison library flipping through a merchandise catalog. On one of the pages there was the picture of a lovely home. One of the prisoners said, "Man, I sure wish I could give my mother a house like that to live in."
Another prisoner pointed to the nice car that was pictured in front of the house and said, "No, I'd rather give my ma a car like that, so she could come to see me once in a while."
Then the two men noticed their friend, Bill, just staring blankly at the magazine, so they asked him to say what he would like to give his mother. After thinking for a few minutes, he looked at them with tears in his eyes and said, in a sorrowful tone, "I wish I could give my mother a more honorable son." That young man was grieving about the fact that his dishonorable life and actions had dishonored his mother.
A child's life-style reflects on his parents. Children, if you want to give honor to your mother, then live an honorable life. When you're out with your friends, having the time of your life, far from your parents' eyes, ask yourself, "Would my mother be proud of what I am doing? Are my actions honoring her?"
The way you go about your school work, the way you conduct yourself in your profession, how faithfully you exercise your spiritual life - all those things can bring honor or shame to your parents.
God says that you should honor your mother. Has your life-style done that? The first and greatest thing that all children should give their mothers is the gift of honor - through what we say and how we live.
Obedience
Another gift that God says you unmarried children must give to your parents is obedience. As long as you live in the household of your parents, you have an obligation to obey them - provided they don't demand that you act contrary to God's word and will. For the Bible says in Ephesians 6:11 (and Colossians 3:20), "Children, it is your Christian duty to obey your parents, for that is the right thing to do."
This principle applies to unmarried children only, because the Bible says in Genesis 1:27, that at marriage, "a man leaves his father and mother and cleaves to his wife," (KJV) and a woman at marriage comes under the authority of her husband.
So, let me speak just a moment to you unmarried children who are still living at home. The Bible says that you should give your mother the gift of obedience - provided she does not ask you to act contrary to God's will.
I realize that there are times when you think that your mother knows absolutely nothing about the way life is in the twentieth century. I am aware that there are many times you think you know what is best for you, much more than your mom does. But let me tell you something that may come as a surprise to you in your youth: Your mother is much wiser than you are. She has a wisdom that can only be gained through years of living. Perhaps in a few years, you will come to the same conclusion that a young man did not long ago.
When he was sixteen, he thought his mother knew very little about life and the way things are supposed to be done. But when he reached the age of twenty-five, he was amazed at how much his mother had learned in nine short years. Actually his mother had not changed that much; the youngster had changed. His mother always had the kind of natural wisdom that comes from the school of life.
Likewise, with your mother. If you are a child living at home and being supported by your parents, the Bible says plainly that you should obey your parents. You must treat Mother's unequaled love for you - and her wisdom - knowing that she would never ask you to do anything which is not for your own good.
So when your mother tells you to do some task or chore around the house, do it immediately and without complaint. It is your Christian duty to give her the gift of obedience. When she tells you to do your homework and study harder, go and do it. If she says you should be in no later than midnight, then don't come in at 12:30 with half-a-dozen excuses; be home at 12:00 as she said. If your mother tells you to get up and go to Sunday School and worship, then do it. You should go, not only because of your love for the Lord, but also in obedience to your mother.
Children, the Bible says that you are to obey your parents as long as you are unmarried and being supported by them. If you want to offer a special gift to your mom this Mother's Day, start giving her the gift of obedience.
Well now, we have seen that all children, no matter what age we are, should give honor to our mothers. We have seen that unmarried children living at home should, in addition to honor, give obedience to their mothers. But now I want us to look briefly at the other side of the coin and examine Mother's responsibility. Mother, you are not only the recipient of gifts, but you also have a responsibility to offer gifts to your children on this "great day" as well as on every day.
Exemplary Life
The first gift you must present to your children is to be the kind of person you want them to be! You must give them a Christian example in what you say and do.
Notice how a little girl mimics her mother. If Mom wears high heels, she will slip into them also. She will stand before the mirror and pretend to put on makeup. The child wants to be like Mother in every way.
For this reason, Mother, it is your sacred duty to live an exemplary life in word and deed. You have the power to influence your child for good or evil, so you must be a Christian example in your home. It is sad, but true, a negative example can come simply through carelessness.
One day in Sunday School little Susie was asked to read from the Bible. She told the teacher that she didn't like to read the Bible any more, because she was "grown up now." The teacher did not understand Susie's attitude and she told her how important it was to read the Bible. Susie replied, "I've never seen my mother read the Bible, so it must not be as important as you say."
Mother, you are one of the most powerful influences on your child's life through your words and deeds. Are you giving them a Christian example? Do they see you pray and read the Scripture? Do they hear you witness to your love for Christ? Do they see you serve him in the way you live? If they do, your children will grow up to call you "blessed," as we read in Proverbs 31.
A Sunday school teacher asked his young class members to tell about how they became Christians. They went around the room, each child telling the details of when he committed his life to the Lord. Finally, it was Tommy's turn. He had no fantastic story to tell. He simply said, "I don't really know. I guess Christianity runs in my family - on my mother's side." It was obvious that his mother had been a positive Christian example!
Mother, are you giving your children a Christian example in the way you talk to them and pray with them? Are you presenting a Christian example in how you love their father and in how you love the Lord and his Church? Do they see Christ in your unending love, your patience, your concern for others, and your encouragement of them? One of the greatest gifts you can offer your children is to be the kind of person you want them to be.
Your Time
The second thing you must give your child is your time! Each one of us knows how hectic life is these days. There are more demands on us and our time than ever before. And the sad result of all the time-consuming activity in our society is that we leave such precious little time for our children.
As Psalm 127 says, "Children are a gift from the Lord." They are a gift which must be nourished, cared for, trained, and disciplined. And that takes time - lots of time. Children must take priority over social engagements, clubs, adult activities, and in some cases, even work.
Your children need you more than they need clothes. They need you more than they need a new bicycle or more toys. They need you - your time, your attention, and your affection - more than they need any other thing on earth.
Two ladies were sitting on a park bench watching children play. One of them, who had no children, said to the other, who was a mother of four, "Sally, I'd give anything to have children like yours." The mother replied, "No, Donna, you would not give anything; you have to give everything for almost twenty years."
That's true, isn't it? Motherhood, as well as fatherhood, is a full-time job - a full-time opportunity, one which demands many sacrifices. One of the finest things you can possibly give your children, Mother, is your time, because in giving your time, you give yourself.
Conclusion
So we see that this special day demands special gifts. All of us children should give honor to our mothers in what we say and do. Unmarried children who are living at home should give obedience to their mothers. Mom, your children will be looking for you to show them the kind of person they should be - and to give them your time. These are the most precious gifts of Mother's Day.
Mothers, we thank God for you, for all that you do, for the kindness you show, for the love you give, and for the example you are. We love you with all our hearts!
May God bless you on this, your special day!
Children's Message
Priceless Gifts
Objects needed: 3 Index cards with the following words printed on different cards - HONOR, OBEDIENCE, LOVE. Wrap those cards in a box with gift wrap.
Good morning. It sure is good to see all of you this morning. Who knows what today is? (Let them answer - Father's Day). Did you give some really nice gifts to your dad? What are some of the gifts you gave? (Let them respond.)
I brought a package with me this morning which is filled with Father's Day gifts which you cannot buy in a store. These are things which the Bible says you should give to your father each day. Let's open the box and see what is inside (you may have one of the youngsters help with opening the box).
(Pull out the first card.) What does this say? (Honor) God said in the Ten Commandments that we are to "HONOR OUR FATHER and MOTHER ..." So honor is something you should give to your Dad every day. You can show honor in many ways: by saying nice things to him and by not talking back to him, by not speaking to him or about him in mean and hateful ways. You can honor your father by letting him know that you are very proud of him. Honor your father every day because that is one of the most priceless gifts you can offer him.
(Pull out the second card.) What does this card say? (Obedience) The second thing the Bible tells us (Ephesians 6:1) is this: "Children, obey your parents for this is your Christian duty." You must always remember that your parents know what is best for you and they will never tell you to do anything that is not good for you or the entire family. So when your dad tells you to do things - such as put away your toys, pick up your clothes, eat your meals, take your bath and go to bed - you should do it quickly and without complaint. You should obey your dad every day because obedience is a priceless gift.
(Pull out the third card.) What does this card say? (Love) That's right. Love your father! Tell him that you love him. He will never get tired of hearing it. Show him your love by the little things you do for him and by giving gifts to him and by doing your chores around the house. And be sure to give him at least one big hug and kiss each day. Give your dad the gift of love every day because that is one of the most priceless gifts you can give him.
After we pray, I want you to go back to your seats and give your dad (or your mom if dad isn't here today) a big hug and kiss and tell him that you love him.
[Prayer]
How hard it is to find a capable wife! She is worth far more than jewels! Her husband puts his confidence in her, and he will never be poor. As long as she lives, she does him good and never harm. She keeps herself busy making wool and linen cloth. She brings home food from out-of-the-way places, as merchant ships do. She gets up before daylight to prepare food for her family and to tell her servant girls what to do. She looks at land and buys it, and with money she has earned she plants a vineyard.
She is a hard worker, strong and industrious. She knows the value of everything she makes, and works late into the night. She spins her own thread and weaves her own cloth. She is generous to the poor and needy. She doesn't worry when it snows, because her family has warm clothing. She makes bedspreads and wears clothes of fine purple linen.
Her husband is well known, one of the leading citizens. She makes clothes and belts, and sells them to merchants. She is strong and respected and not afraid of the future. She speaks with a gentle wisdom. She is always busy and looks after her family's needs. Her children show their appreciation, and her husband praises her.
He says, "Many women are good wives, but you are the best of them all." Charm is deceptive and beauty disappears, but a woman who honors the Lord should be praised. Give her credit for all she does. She deserves the respect of everyone.
Johnny was complaining to a friend about how hectic his days were since he got his first job. "I get up at 6:00 each morning and eat my breakfast," he said. The friend asked, "You mean you get up and fix your own meal?" "No," said Johnny. "My mother prepares it for me. She has to cook Dad's breakfast by 6:30 anyway."
The friend replied, "Gosh, your mom gets up that early just to fix breakfast?" "Oh, no," said the young man. "She likes to get up early. It gives her more time to do the things she enjoys - like mopping the floors, dusting furniture, shopping for groceries, and preparing lunch for me and Dad."
"I see," said the friend, "but she does have the afternoon for herself?" "Oh, yes," was the reply. "She spends that time playing with my little sister, sewing, and preparing supper, 'cause my dad and I like to have supper on the table when we come home after a hard day's work. We think that's fair; after all, Mother doesn't work!"
Such an attitude brings chuckles and groans because it is so ridiculous. Just because a mother or wife is not employed outside the home, it doesn't mean that she doesn't work. You may have heard your husband or father say that on occasion, but I'd be willing to bet that very few men would trade jobs with you.
Mothers, we know that you have a twenty-four-hour-a-day job, one which demands not only all your time, but also all of your attention and energy. Because of that realization, we salute you today, in the fashion that we should honor you every day - for all you do for us and for all you give to your family.
(Mother's Day was declared an annual National Holiday in 1914 by President Woodrow Wilson. He directed the Congress to designate the second Sunday of May as a special day for public expression of love and reverence for the mothers of America. Since that time there has been a "Mother's Day," and, I must say that even in 1914, it was long overdue.)
Few of us show our mothers the depth of love, honor, and respect that we should. We know we don't, and we feel guilty about it. So on Mother's Day, we try to make up for our failure by giving MOM gifts to symbolize our true feelings of affection and appreciation.
We give all sorts of gifts which range from the extravagant to the simple, from store-bought to the homemade, from fancy flowers to fattening foods. We should shower Mother with gifts, for indeed she needs to be reminded of our love and gratitude for all she has done. My chief concern is that this gift-giving not be relegated to just one day a year. We should give to Mother each day. This morning, I want to suggest several gifts of a non-materialistic, noncommercial nature, that are necessary in the Christian family and should be given each day.
Honor
Let me begin by speaking to you Sons and Daughters. Children, no matter what age you are, from nine months to ninety years, no matter how many children of your own you have, the Bible says that the gift you should give your Mother every day is honor!
One of our Ten Commandments says, "Honor your Father and Mother ..." That means that we children are to treat our mothers with great respect, in how we act toward them and in the way we speak to them. Did you realize that in ancient Israel, if a child cursed his mother, he was to be stoned to death? (Exodus 21:17) They took God's law very seriously.
Nothing angers me more than to hear children speak sarcastically, hatefully, or sharply to their mothers. That is contrary to God's will! The Lord demands that you speak with utmost love and respect to your Mother. She is the instrument through which God gave you life. She put her life in jeopardy in order to give you birth. She has sacrificed many of the luxuries of life in order to feed, clothe and educate you. So you must never be dishonorable to your mother in the way that you speak to her or about her. You must offer her the gift of honor in what you say.
You must also give her honor in the way you live. Whether we want it to be this way or not, the way we live is a reflection upon our parents. So, if you really want to honor your mother, you should live in a way that she will be proud of. You must live an honorable life.
One day, several convicts were in a prison library flipping through a merchandise catalog. On one of the pages there was the picture of a lovely home. One of the prisoners said, "Man, I sure wish I could give my mother a house like that to live in."
Another prisoner pointed to the nice car that was pictured in front of the house and said, "No, I'd rather give my ma a car like that, so she could come to see me once in a while."
Then the two men noticed their friend, Bill, just staring blankly at the magazine, so they asked him to say what he would like to give his mother. After thinking for a few minutes, he looked at them with tears in his eyes and said, in a sorrowful tone, "I wish I could give my mother a more honorable son." That young man was grieving about the fact that his dishonorable life and actions had dishonored his mother.
A child's life-style reflects on his parents. Children, if you want to give honor to your mother, then live an honorable life. When you're out with your friends, having the time of your life, far from your parents' eyes, ask yourself, "Would my mother be proud of what I am doing? Are my actions honoring her?"
The way you go about your school work, the way you conduct yourself in your profession, how faithfully you exercise your spiritual life - all those things can bring honor or shame to your parents.
God says that you should honor your mother. Has your life-style done that? The first and greatest thing that all children should give their mothers is the gift of honor - through what we say and how we live.
Obedience
Another gift that God says you unmarried children must give to your parents is obedience. As long as you live in the household of your parents, you have an obligation to obey them - provided they don't demand that you act contrary to God's word and will. For the Bible says in Ephesians 6:11 (and Colossians 3:20), "Children, it is your Christian duty to obey your parents, for that is the right thing to do."
This principle applies to unmarried children only, because the Bible says in Genesis 1:27, that at marriage, "a man leaves his father and mother and cleaves to his wife," (KJV) and a woman at marriage comes under the authority of her husband.
So, let me speak just a moment to you unmarried children who are still living at home. The Bible says that you should give your mother the gift of obedience - provided she does not ask you to act contrary to God's will.
I realize that there are times when you think that your mother knows absolutely nothing about the way life is in the twentieth century. I am aware that there are many times you think you know what is best for you, much more than your mom does. But let me tell you something that may come as a surprise to you in your youth: Your mother is much wiser than you are. She has a wisdom that can only be gained through years of living. Perhaps in a few years, you will come to the same conclusion that a young man did not long ago.
When he was sixteen, he thought his mother knew very little about life and the way things are supposed to be done. But when he reached the age of twenty-five, he was amazed at how much his mother had learned in nine short years. Actually his mother had not changed that much; the youngster had changed. His mother always had the kind of natural wisdom that comes from the school of life.
Likewise, with your mother. If you are a child living at home and being supported by your parents, the Bible says plainly that you should obey your parents. You must treat Mother's unequaled love for you - and her wisdom - knowing that she would never ask you to do anything which is not for your own good.
So when your mother tells you to do some task or chore around the house, do it immediately and without complaint. It is your Christian duty to give her the gift of obedience. When she tells you to do your homework and study harder, go and do it. If she says you should be in no later than midnight, then don't come in at 12:30 with half-a-dozen excuses; be home at 12:00 as she said. If your mother tells you to get up and go to Sunday School and worship, then do it. You should go, not only because of your love for the Lord, but also in obedience to your mother.
Children, the Bible says that you are to obey your parents as long as you are unmarried and being supported by them. If you want to offer a special gift to your mom this Mother's Day, start giving her the gift of obedience.
Well now, we have seen that all children, no matter what age we are, should give honor to our mothers. We have seen that unmarried children living at home should, in addition to honor, give obedience to their mothers. But now I want us to look briefly at the other side of the coin and examine Mother's responsibility. Mother, you are not only the recipient of gifts, but you also have a responsibility to offer gifts to your children on this "great day" as well as on every day.
Exemplary Life
The first gift you must present to your children is to be the kind of person you want them to be! You must give them a Christian example in what you say and do.
Notice how a little girl mimics her mother. If Mom wears high heels, she will slip into them also. She will stand before the mirror and pretend to put on makeup. The child wants to be like Mother in every way.
For this reason, Mother, it is your sacred duty to live an exemplary life in word and deed. You have the power to influence your child for good or evil, so you must be a Christian example in your home. It is sad, but true, a negative example can come simply through carelessness.
One day in Sunday School little Susie was asked to read from the Bible. She told the teacher that she didn't like to read the Bible any more, because she was "grown up now." The teacher did not understand Susie's attitude and she told her how important it was to read the Bible. Susie replied, "I've never seen my mother read the Bible, so it must not be as important as you say."
Mother, you are one of the most powerful influences on your child's life through your words and deeds. Are you giving them a Christian example? Do they see you pray and read the Scripture? Do they hear you witness to your love for Christ? Do they see you serve him in the way you live? If they do, your children will grow up to call you "blessed," as we read in Proverbs 31.
A Sunday school teacher asked his young class members to tell about how they became Christians. They went around the room, each child telling the details of when he committed his life to the Lord. Finally, it was Tommy's turn. He had no fantastic story to tell. He simply said, "I don't really know. I guess Christianity runs in my family - on my mother's side." It was obvious that his mother had been a positive Christian example!
Mother, are you giving your children a Christian example in the way you talk to them and pray with them? Are you presenting a Christian example in how you love their father and in how you love the Lord and his Church? Do they see Christ in your unending love, your patience, your concern for others, and your encouragement of them? One of the greatest gifts you can offer your children is to be the kind of person you want them to be.
Your Time
The second thing you must give your child is your time! Each one of us knows how hectic life is these days. There are more demands on us and our time than ever before. And the sad result of all the time-consuming activity in our society is that we leave such precious little time for our children.
As Psalm 127 says, "Children are a gift from the Lord." They are a gift which must be nourished, cared for, trained, and disciplined. And that takes time - lots of time. Children must take priority over social engagements, clubs, adult activities, and in some cases, even work.
Your children need you more than they need clothes. They need you more than they need a new bicycle or more toys. They need you - your time, your attention, and your affection - more than they need any other thing on earth.
Two ladies were sitting on a park bench watching children play. One of them, who had no children, said to the other, who was a mother of four, "Sally, I'd give anything to have children like yours." The mother replied, "No, Donna, you would not give anything; you have to give everything for almost twenty years."
That's true, isn't it? Motherhood, as well as fatherhood, is a full-time job - a full-time opportunity, one which demands many sacrifices. One of the finest things you can possibly give your children, Mother, is your time, because in giving your time, you give yourself.
Conclusion
So we see that this special day demands special gifts. All of us children should give honor to our mothers in what we say and do. Unmarried children who are living at home should give obedience to their mothers. Mom, your children will be looking for you to show them the kind of person they should be - and to give them your time. These are the most precious gifts of Mother's Day.
Mothers, we thank God for you, for all that you do, for the kindness you show, for the love you give, and for the example you are. We love you with all our hearts!
May God bless you on this, your special day!
Children's Message
Priceless Gifts
Objects needed: 3 Index cards with the following words printed on different cards - HONOR, OBEDIENCE, LOVE. Wrap those cards in a box with gift wrap.
Good morning. It sure is good to see all of you this morning. Who knows what today is? (Let them answer - Father's Day). Did you give some really nice gifts to your dad? What are some of the gifts you gave? (Let them respond.)
I brought a package with me this morning which is filled with Father's Day gifts which you cannot buy in a store. These are things which the Bible says you should give to your father each day. Let's open the box and see what is inside (you may have one of the youngsters help with opening the box).
(Pull out the first card.) What does this say? (Honor) God said in the Ten Commandments that we are to "HONOR OUR FATHER and MOTHER ..." So honor is something you should give to your Dad every day. You can show honor in many ways: by saying nice things to him and by not talking back to him, by not speaking to him or about him in mean and hateful ways. You can honor your father by letting him know that you are very proud of him. Honor your father every day because that is one of the most priceless gifts you can offer him.
(Pull out the second card.) What does this card say? (Obedience) The second thing the Bible tells us (Ephesians 6:1) is this: "Children, obey your parents for this is your Christian duty." You must always remember that your parents know what is best for you and they will never tell you to do anything that is not good for you or the entire family. So when your dad tells you to do things - such as put away your toys, pick up your clothes, eat your meals, take your bath and go to bed - you should do it quickly and without complaint. You should obey your dad every day because obedience is a priceless gift.
(Pull out the third card.) What does this card say? (Love) That's right. Love your father! Tell him that you love him. He will never get tired of hearing it. Show him your love by the little things you do for him and by giving gifts to him and by doing your chores around the house. And be sure to give him at least one big hug and kiss each day. Give your dad the gift of love every day because that is one of the most priceless gifts you can give him.
After we pray, I want you to go back to your seats and give your dad (or your mom if dad isn't here today) a big hug and kiss and tell him that you love him.
[Prayer]
