Station 1: Authority of Parents

Objective: 

• What authority do my parents have over me?
• Why do they have this authority?
• How can I deal with this authority?

Key Verse:

"Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right." Ephesians 6:1

Outline:

• What authority do my parents have over me?
  • My Health & well-being 
    • Physical
      • Making sure you are fed and nurtured 
      • Doctor's visits, providing medicine when needed 
      • Sign you up for sports 
      • Giving you instructions when it comes to over-eating and junk food 
      • Making sure you don't smoke / do drugs
    • Mental
      • Just like your physical heath, your parents are responsible for your mental well-being also
      • Your mental health and anything that may affect it 
        • Relationships 
        • Screen time 
        • Interactions with other 
    • Behavioral
      • They need to make sure you don't grow up with behavioral problems 
        • Being violent or aggressive
        • Being disrespectful to others 
        • Disrespecting authorities  
  • My Education
    • Making sure you are receiving adequate education 
    • Education impacts your thoughts and decisions - receiving proper education impacts your future decisions
    • Ensuring that you will have a meaningful and comfortable career as an adult when you have a good degree
  • My Spiritual life
    • Review the commandment to parents after confirmation
    • "And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up." Duet 6:6-7

• Why do they have this authority?
  • Children are a talent from God 
    • "Train up a child in the way he should go, And when he is old he will not depart from it." Proverbs 22:6
    • They will an account about you before the Lord 
  • Responsible before the law
    • They are responsible before the law to keep you well, healthy, educated, secure (away from dangerous environments)
    • They will face consequences if they lack in any of these responsibilities 
    • These consequences may be as sever as losing you custody 
  • Responsible before the society, country, and humanity
    • Parents are responsible to raise children who are good for the society in general 
    • They have a responsibility to bring children who are functioning members of society
    • They have a responsibility to bring children who love their country and willing to serve it 
    • They have a responsibility to bring children who are helpful to humanity in general with their contribution in any fields 
      • Think of St Paul's parents, or St Anthony's parents, how about Tesla's parents, or C.S. Lewis' parents,  even the parents of Daniel Hale Williams who was the first cardiologist to perform open heart surgery
      • Their parents are happy and proud because their children had a great contribution to the whole world
      • "The father of a righteous child has great joy; a man who fathers a wise son rejoices in him. May your father and mother rejoice. may she who gave you birth be joyful!" Proverbs 23:24-25

• How can I deal with this authority?
  • Understand
    • Many times we focus so much on wanting our parents to understand us but do we understand them
    • Do we understand their intention when they ask us to do something?
    • Your parents have your best interest before their eyes at all times - even if what they are asking is hard to do, be assured that it is for your benefit 
    • Understand that they are striving to be honest and faithful in their responsibility towards you 
  • Love
    • "And above all things have fervent love for one another, for “love will cover a multitude of sins.” 1 Peter 4:8
    • When we understand that their intention is always good we will be more forgiving to their mistakes 
    • When we truly love them, it will be easier to overlook some mistakes 
    • Yes they may be harsh at times, maybe impatient at times, but I love them 
    • Pray that may God put the love of your parents in your heart in spite of their faults or shortcomings 
  • Respect 
    • "Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long upon the land which the Lord your God is giving you." Exodus 20:12
    • Respect in speech, body language, doing what you're asked to do.
      
  • Obey
    • "A fool despises his father’s instruction, But he who receives correction is prudent." Proverbs
    • "My son, keep your father’s command, And do not forsake the law of your mother." Proverbs 6:20
    • "Listen to your father, who gave you life, and do not despise your mother when she is old." Proverbs 23:22
    • Review the parable of the two sons - Matthew 21:28-32
  • Appreciate
    • Appreciate the sacrifice your parents are doing for your sake
      • Giving rides, providing food and shelter, signing up for practices, buying you $300 shoes, etc.
    • The simplest form of appreciation is to be thankful 
      • "in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." 1 Thessalonians 5:18
      • "Do all things without complaining and disputing" Philippians 2:14
      • "Do not grumble against one another, brethren, lest you be condemned." James 5:9
• Conclude with the concept of authority of love

Authority of Love

• "There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love." 1 John 4:18
• The authority of love is a Biblical concept and it is the highest level of authority 
• When you love someone, you want to do what is pleasing to them, you want to make them happy 
• You obey who you love out of love and respect not out of fear 
• Responding to the authority of love is more spiritually mature than responding to any other form of authority 
• Even though that person cannot force me to do something, I listen to him because I love him