Establishing authority

In Gospel Centered Two Year Olds? Brian Chesemore reflects on the centrality of establishing authority in the home for bringing the good news to our children:

So when a child violates God’s standards every parent is called to help them see that such violations are not acceptable. Through our loving correction they are learning to submit to authority.

A clear understanding of Dad and Mom’s authority then positions them to one day respond to God’s holy and loving authority.

Who am I? I am their Dad positioning them to respond to their King.

If a child does not apprehend authority, she will have no way to make sense of God's claim on her. However, if she knows that her parents speak to be understood and obeyed, she will more naturally see that God speaks in the same way.

Yet in exercising discipline, parents must not only establish authority but point the child to the One who can live in them to obey through them. If we simply establish authority, children will do their best, in their own strength to obey - which will result either in discouragement or foolish pride. Ted Tripp puts it succinctly:

The child trained in biblical obedience is better able to understand the gospel. The power and grace of the gospel is most deeply understood, not by those who never face their biblical duties, but by those who do. Knowing our native resistance to authority, knowing our inability to do what God has commanded, we are confronted with our need for the grace and power of Jesus Christ. (Tripp, Tedd. Shepherding a Child's Heart. Wapwallopen, PA: Shepherd Press. 1995. p144)