Authority

By Al Felder Children need to learn respect for authority. This lesson begins in the home, but it reaches far beyond the home. A child who learns to respect rightful authority is being prepared to respect God’s authority, parental authority, civil authority, congregational leadership, and the responsibilities that come with marriage, work, and daily life. Respect for authority is not popular in a world that often celebrates self-will. Many children are taught, directly or ind

By Al Felder Children need moral clarity. They are growing up in a world where right and wrong are often treated as matters of opinion. Many people speak as if truth changes with culture, morality changes with feelings, and each person has the right to decide for themselves what is good. However, parents must teach their children something far better: right and wrong are determined by God. This lesson must begin early. Children need to know that some things are right because

By Al Felder Responsibility is not learned all at once. It is formed through daily instruction, correction, expectation, and practice. A child learns responsibility when he is taught to finish what he starts, tell the truth, care for what has been entrusted to him, accept correction, admit wrong, keep his word, and understand that choices have consequences. Parents should not wait until children are nearly grown before teaching responsibility. By then, many habits may already

By Al Felder Obedience is one of the first lessons a child must learn. Before a child understands many of life’s deeper responsibilities, he must learn to listen, submit, and do what is right. This is not merely a matter of household order. It is spiritual training. A child who learns proper obedience in the home is being prepared to understand authority, responsibility, discipline, and ultimately obedience to God. The Bible says, “Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for

By Al Felder Children are growing up in a world filled with voices. Some voices come from friends. Some come from teachers. Some come from entertainment. Some come from social media. Some come from culture. Some come from their own desires. Every voice is trying to shape how they think, what they value, what they believe, and how they live. That is why parents must teach their children one of life’s most important truths: God’s word is the final authority. This lesson must no

“Submitting yourselves to one another in the fear of God.” — Ephesians 5:21 In today’s world, the idea of submission is often misunderstood and maligned. It is labeled as oppressive, outdated, and even dangerous. Whether it’s within the home, the church, or society at large, submission is rarely viewed as a virtue. Yet the Bible presents it as a foundational principle for the Christian life—modeled perfectly by Jesus Himself. The True Meaning of Submission To submit is to yie