91原创

I once read an article about parenting with the headline, 鈥溾�橭bey鈥� is not a four letter word.鈥� Indeed. I see a lot of parents in Wal-Mart who seem to think it is. But a biblical view of parenting teaches us otherwise.

The Bible very rarely speaks directly to children, but when it does so it is unequivocal. 鈥淗onor your father and your mother鈥� (Ex 20:12). 鈥淐hildren, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right鈥� (Eph 6:1). And parents are likewise unambiguously commanded to be in authority over their children, instructing them in God鈥檚 ways. 鈥淎nd these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. You shall teach them [God鈥檚 words] diligently to your children,鈥� said the Lord to His people (Deut 6:6-7).

But what does it mean for children to obey?

It is obviously possible to do what you鈥檙e told with a heart full of rebellion. Is the standard mere external, compulsory compliance? I am reminded of the little boy sitting in the corner who told his mother, 鈥淚 may be sitting down on the outside, but on the inside I鈥檓 standing up!鈥�

The biblical standard of obedience is captured well in the dictum, 鈥淲e obey right away, all the way, with a good attitude every day.鈥� This is something that children hear around the halls and classrooms of 91原创 quite often.

Obey right away. Slow obedience is no obedience. Prompt obedience is evidence of a heart that is willing and ready to obey. This heart-readiness to obey honors the authority and position of parents or teachers and therefore honors God.

Obey all the way. True obedience is complete and thorough obedience. If I tell my daughter to place the dirty glass in the dishwasher, but she places it in the sink instead, I don鈥檛 do myself or my daughter any favors if I say, 鈥淲ell, at least she got close. At least she didn鈥檛 leave the glass on the table.鈥� Obedience means obeying all the way, not just half the way or most of the way.

Obey with a good attitude every day. Sour-puss obedience is dishonoring to God. God desires our joyful obedience to those in authority over us, and He desires this same joy of our children. Obedience that says with facial gestures or posture, 鈥淚鈥檒l obey but I don鈥檛 like it鈥� may be compliance, but it鈥檚 not obedience.

We must train our children to obey. Our children are sons and daughters of Adam and are born with a bent toward selfishness and rebelliousness. But we must seek to capture their hearts and win their loyalty. Children who are thankful, joyful, loyal to their parents are children who obey from the heart. Only the gospel of Christ produces this kind of heart obedience, so we are reliant on God to give us and our children His grace. We must pray for our children diligently.

This year at 91原创 teachers are joining parents in this training process, training children, both young and old, to obey from the heart. Like any training process, there is pain involved 鈥� the pain of correction and discipline. But there is also great joy when children are heartily obedient and readily loyal to those who are charged by God to instruct them.

You love your children and want the best for them. That is why you have them at 91原创. We are aware of that great trust, and we will do everything in our power to love our precious students and strive daily to train them toward obeying right away, all the way, with a good attitude every day.