We Are Called to Adorn the Gospel Through Spirit-Empowered Honor
FOCUS TEXT: Exodus 20:12, Titus 2
This week at Anchor Church, we wrapped up our three-week focus on the Fifth Commandment—“Honor your father and your mother.” We’ve seen that honor is the backbone of God’s design for human flourishing, beginning in the home and echoing outward into the church and the world. Today, we looked closely at how Spirit-empowered honor isn’t just a family matter, but one way the church adorns the beauty of the gospel for a watching world.
Truth #1: Honor doesn’t stop in the home—it expands into the household of God — Honor begins in the family, but it was never meant to stay there. God’s commandment establishes the home as the training ground for relationships, but in the New Testament, we see that honor is to be the atmosphere of the church—a true spiritual family. In Titus 2, Paul gives a vision for intergenerational discipleship: older believers pouring wisdom into the young, younger believers learning, growing, and belonging. No matter your background, the church is where broken cycles are healed, legacies are built, and everyone has a part in the family of God.
Truth #2: The world is drowning in dishonor—but the church must be different — Everywhere we look, honor is rare. Our culture prizes cynicism, celebrates rebellion, and often treats respect as weakness. Scripture warned us this would happen—when dishonor spreads in families, societies unravel. Yet God calls His people to be a holy contrast: to speak with integrity, to lead with dignity, and to build one another up with sound, gospel-shaped speech. In a world of outrage and distrust, the church’s witness shines brightest when our lives and relationships reflect true honor.
Truth #3: Generational discipleship is God’s design to preserve and proclaim the faith — The faith is never meant to stop with us. God’s plan has always been for one generation to declare His works to the next. Titus 2 and Psalm 78 both make it clear: older men and women invest in the next generation, and young people eagerly learn and grow. Churches that embrace generational discipleship become households of faith—places where wisdom is shared, stories are passed on, and legacies of trust in God are built for years to come.
Truth #4: When the church walks in honor, it makes the gospel visible to a watching world — Paul tells Titus that the goal is not just right behavior, but “adorn[ing] the doctrine of God our Savior.” When a church lives with Spirit-empowered honor, the gospel doesn’t just sound true—it looks beautiful. The way we honor across generations, backgrounds, and gifts gives the world a glimpse of the Kingdom of Jesus. Honor in the church makes the gospel credible and compelling, especially in a world starved for dignity and hope.
QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER:
Where have you experienced or witnessed a culture of honor in the church or in your family?
Are you investing in relationships across generations within the church?
In what ways can you help adorn the gospel through your words, actions, and posture toward others?
How might God be calling you to both give and receive honor in this season?
MEMORY VERSE: “Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land that the LORD your God is giving you.” — Exodus 20:12 (ESV)
