Most parents desire for their children to obey them and follow their instructions. This verse is often quoted and shared with children that they might know it is God’s will for them to be in obedience to their parents. While some may blame the ‘modern’ children of the age for rebellion and disobedience, in most cases, where does the responsibility really start? It starts and often ends with the parents.

Children never have to be taught how to be bad or disobedient. That comes naturally. Children do have to be taught to be good and follow instruction. So the ultimate responsibility for children obeying their parents lies with the parents themselves. Children need to be loved, taught, natured, and disciplined such that they come under obedience to their parents. Many parents bemoan the fact that their children are disobedient. If blame was assessed, it would usually fall with the parent.

God has given parents the responsibility to teach obedience to children. Children that aren’t taught to be obedient to their parents will usually not be obedient to God as they get older. If children don’t see submission and obedience in the lives of their parents, they won’t be obedient either. This training should start within the first year when children have the ability to learn that there is reward for obedience and punishment for disobedience. If a parent waits till the child is old enough to ‘reason‘ with, it is often too late. Consistency in training and love in action are integral keys to teaching children to obey.

William Tait wrote the following concerning findings in the ruins of the ancient city of Nineveh.

“When the archaeologists were digging in the ruins of Nineveh they came upon a library of plaques containing the laws of the realm. One of the laws read in effect that anyone guilty of neglect would be held responsible for the result of his neglect…. If you fail to teach your child to obey, if you fail to teach him to respect the property rights of others, you and not he are responsible for the result of your neglect.”

May the Lord help each parent to assume the responsibility to teach and train their child to obey-for the responsibility is ours. “And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.” Gal 6:9