Sermon Study Guide | Series: PERFCT | Sermon: Perfect Kids | Scripture: Ephesians 6:1–3; Exodus 20:12; Luke 2:51–52; John 15:15 | Date: January 25, 2026

‍

If you’d like to dig deeper take a look at our Series Resource Guide:📘 PERFCT— Resource Guide

If the topics of abuse or assault raised in this series have surfaced painful parts of your own story, please do not walk through it alone. Our Care Team (care@menlo.church) is available to listen and provide referrals to trusted Christian counselors.

‍

CONNECT - “A Personal Reflection”

This section is designed to help you relate personally to the theme of the sermon. It encourages you to reflect on your own life experiences and how they connect to the message.

When you think about how you were raised, what messages (spoken or unspoken) did you receive about your worth or identity? Were they based more on achievement, behavior, or something deeper?

What about today—where do you tend to look for affirmation or identity? Performance? Relationships? Social media? Let’s get honest. How do you respond when you feel like you’ve failed? Be vulnerable and share with your group.

ENGAGE - “Exploring the Scripture”

This section invites you to dive into the biblical passage, discuss its meaning, and apply it to your life through thoughtful questions.

Read Ephesians 6:1–3 and Exodus 20:12 together. 

• What stands out to you in the fact that this command is “the first with a promise”? How does this affect your view of honor—not just as obedience, but as Spiritual Formation?
  
  
• The message described three stages of honor—Obedience (as a child), Respect (as a young adult), and Compassion (as an adult). Which one are you in right now? What does it look like for you to live that out in your current family dynamics?
  
  
• Read Luke 2:51–52. How does Jesus’ posture as a child toward His parents challenge or encourage you?
  
  
• Which “kid logic” tendencies do you most resonate with right now?
  
  
  
  • The Venmo Kid: treating God like a transaction?
    
    
  • The Report Card Kid: performing for approval?
    
    
  • The Fridge Art Kid: living loved and secure?
    
    
• What helps you shift from striving to resting in God’s love? What makes that hard for you?
  
  
• Consider the phrase “You can’t download wisdom—you get it by proximity.” Who are the older or wiser people in your life who offer you spiritual insight? What would it look like to intentionally pursue their wisdom?
  
  
• Read John 15:15. Jesus calls us His friends—not servants. How does this change how you think about your relationship with God?

APPLY - “Putting the Scriptures into Action”

This section challenges us to take what we’ve learned and implement it in practical ways in our daily lives.

• Take a moment to reflect: Are you living like a Venmo Kid, a Report Card Kid, or a Fridge Art Kid? What would it look like to take one step this week toward living more like a Fridge Art Kid?
  
  
• Is there someone in the previous generation (parent, grandparent, mentor) that you need to:
  
  • Obey more consistently?
    
    
  • Show greater respect?
    
    
  • Offer compassion in a tangible way?
    
    
• What’s one relational boundary you need to set—or one act of honor you need to offer—to step toward healing or health in a family relationship?
  
  
• For parents or mentors: how are you helping your kids receive their identity as a gift, not a grade?
  
  
• For everyone: what would it look like to live more secure in your identity as a child of God this week?
  
  
• Invite a friend or family member to attend Alpha with you starting this month.

PRAY - “Seeking God’s Guidance”

This section offers a short prayer to help us center our hearts and invite God to work in our lives through his scripture.

Father, thank you that we don’t have to earn your love—we are already accepted, already known, already called your sons and daughters. Help us stop striving for a grade and start living from the security of your grace.

God, would you give us wisdom in how we honor those who’ve come before us—even when it’s difficult? Teach us to obey with humility, to respect with sincerity, and to show compassion with courage.

Help us to be people who walk in your truth, not in our fears. Thank you for Jesus, our model of the Perfect Kid, who loved both His earthly parents and His Heavenly Father with perfect trust. Help us do the same. Amen.

‍