In one of my school runs, where I came to pick up my children from school, they told me about an 11-year-old girl who was shouting at her dad! They were appalled by it and said that this behaviour is not what God expects. While I praise God for the level of His word in their lives, I am distressed that our nation no longer instils the value of respect and obedience to parents. Here is an alarming statistic to consider.
According to a study by the Policy Institute at King’s College London, attitudes toward parenting in the UK have shifted over time. Here are some key findings:
Obedience and Responsibility:
- The importance placed on obedience or responsibility in children has decreased significantly since the late 1990s.
- Britons now rank among the lowest internationally for valuing obedience.
This means our nation, the UK, no longer sees the value of teaching children obedience to parents. The UK is raising a generation of children where it is acceptable to be rude and disrespectful to their parents. If our children cannot respect their parents, whom they see, how can they respect and honour God Almighty, whom they do not see? No wonder the majority of children and young people in this land have forsaken God, as parents no longer teach biblical values to children. Let’s briefly evaluate what the Bible has to say about teaching children to obey and honour their parents
In the Bible, the fifth commandment instructs children to honor their parents: “Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land that the Lord your God is giving you” (Exodus 20:12). This command emphasizes both love and respect for parents, as well as obedience to them. When children honor their parents, it not only aligns with God’s law but also contributes to the well-being of society.
Additionally, the apostle Paul reiterates this command in Ephesians 6:1–3: “Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. ‘Honor your father and mother’ (this is the first commandment with a promise), ‘that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land.’”
Parents, too, have a responsibility. They should teach their children about faith, repentance, prayer, and obedience to the Lord’s commandments. By doing so, they contribute to the spiritual nurture of their kids and help build strong family units.
May we all strive to honor and respect our parents, fostering healthy relationships and contributing positively to our communities in Jesus Name. Amen
Altar call: For anyone reading this article who is not saved and wants to be part of the family of God or you want to re-dedicate your life back to Jesus, please repeat this out loud. “Lord Jesus, I acknowledge that I have sinned against you. Lord Jesus forgive me of my sins. I repent of my sins. Lord Jesus come into my life and be my Lord now and forever in Jesus Name
Feast of Light Word Ministry
