Session 1 — Authority: The Parent as Pastor

SESSION 1 — The Parent as Pastor: Authority, Calling, and Confidence

PRINCIPLE

A parent has the duty and authority to pastor their child into the life of God.

THE LIE / CONFUSION

“Parents and children are equals. Imposing your will is harmful.”

→ The postmodern suspicion of authority: all imposition = violence, coercion, or trauma.

→ Leads to parental paralysis in both young and older children.

1. Biblical Foundation for Pastoral Authority

Deut. 6: Parents teach diligently.

Prov. 1–9: Parent as primary wisdom-giver.

Eph. 6: Discipline and instruction of the Lord.

Genesis 18:19: Abraham as household priest.

2. The Parent as Pastor

Shepherding: guiding, protecting, correcting.

A “little monastery” with the parent as abbot.

3. Cultural Undermining of Authority

Modern media: parents as incompetent or comedic.

Therapeutic culture: child self-creation as the highest good. (Example: gender & identity)

Societal suspicion: awareness of actual abuse, confusing studies on discipline, the State

Subconscious anxieties: “Do I even know the right way?”

4. Restoring Holy Confidence

Authority is not domination but service.

Imposition is necessary for formation.

Boundaries are mercy; leadership is love.

Parents as strong, gentle figures of stability.

5. Practices for Reclaiming Authority

Household liturgies (prayers, meals, chores).

Clear expectations without apology or request.

Don’t let your children win—choose your words wisely.

Tone: calm, firm, warm, pastoral. (“Obey.” “Yes, mama.” “Obey right away, all the way.”

Discussion Questions

1. Do you think most modern parents underuse or overuse their authority? Why?

2. What internal hesitations or external factors make it difficult to act with authority?

3. Have you ever felt like your child has more power than you? What does that feel like in daily life?

4. If you could grow in one area of parental confidence, what would it be?