HUMAN RELATIONSHIPS

Lesson Twenty

GOVERNMENT (2):

A PROPER ATTITUDE TOWARD THE GOVERNMENT

Burden to Impart:

Because God's Word reveals to us that God Himself is the one who establishes our human governments and their leaders (Dan. 2:21; 4:17), we should subject ourselves to the government and its laws and not resist or oppose them. We should not only support our government and its leaders by our attitude of respect and obedience, we should also support it by paying our taxes faithfully and praying for those who rule over us (Rom. 13:1-7; 1 Tim. 2:1-3).

Memory Verse: "Remind them to be subject to rulers, to authorities, to be obedient, to be ready unto every good work" (Titus 3:1).

Facts to Teach:

  1. In order to have a proper attitude toward the government, we must understand and recognize God's involvement with government. The Bible reveals to us that the authorities that rule are appointed by God, they are God's servants and officers (Rom. 13:1-4).
  2. Therefore, as toward God, so also toward the government we should subject ourselves. This means we should not resist the authority, for to resist the authority is to oppose what God has appointed (Rom. 13:2). We should have an attitude of respect toward those in authority. Toward some we should have an attitude of more than respect, even fear (as toward police officers), or honor (as toward judges, governors, presidents). A lawless person not only opposes God, he also opposes government and law. To speak evilly of those in authority does not honor God nor does it help establish righteousness. It only causes more lawlessness (2 Pet. 2:10; Jude 8).
  3. In order to support the government's expenses and to pay for its employees we should pay our taxes (Matt. 22:17-21; Rom. 13:6-7). This was taught by both the Lord Jesus and the apostle Paul.
  4. We should obey the laws that our government requires (Tit. 3:1; 1 Pet. 2:13-15a). We should not think we are an exception. We also are citizens under the government's laws unless the law of the government is against God's higher law, as in Exodus 1:17; Daniel 3:17-18; 6:10; and Acts 5:29. (To the children, emphasize the positive obedience to the laws, not the rare exception to the rule.)
  5. We should pray for our government and its leaders (1 Tim. 2:1-3) that God would give them wisdom and understanding to rule properly, so that we may live a life for God in peace and tranquility.