It is required of superiors, according to that power they receive from God, and that relation wherein they stand, to love, pray for, and bless their inferiors; to instruct, counsel, and admonish them; countenancing, commending, and rewarding such as do well; and discountenancing, reproving, and chastising such as do ill; protecting, and providing for them all things necessary for soul and body: and, by grave, wise, holy, and exemplary carriage, to procure glory to God, honor to themselves, and so to preserve that authority which God hath put upon them. (taken from the Larger Catechism of the Presbyterian Church - Answer to Question 129)

QUESTION YOURSELF:

Reread each phrase above the the Larger Catechism.

If you are a parent:
1. Do you do all that is required of you mentioned above?
2. Do you realize that your children are gifts of God? gifts that He has entrusted into your care for a while? that the task of being a parent is tremendously important and significant? that the task requires of you your fullest attention and best of your skills?
3. Are you full conscious that it is your place to set them on the right course for Life? to train them? to discipline them? to correct them so that they can discipline themselves, and resist temptation and the devil? so that your children will develop into responsible beings with firm Christian character?

If you are a father:
1.  Do you full realize the awesome responsibility God has  entrusted to you? that you are held responsible by God when your children misbehave and are rebellious? that you are to be the "authority figure" at home?
2.  Do you know that if your children are taught to listen to you, respect and obey you, that they will also obey authorities (and laws) outside the home?  From you, do they learn to obey God their Father and practice His commandments?
3. While children are small, do you know that you stand in the place of God to them?  If you show yourself to be a just, truthful, and merciful lawgiver, mighty protector and loving provider, that you are helping your children to understand and appreciate what God, their heavenly Father, is like?

If you are a husband:
1. Do you protect, support, and encourage your wife? give her attention and appreciation? guide and gently correct her by the principles in God's Word.
2. Do you see that your wife's physical and spiritual needs are met?
3. Do you love her as Christ loved the Church? giving of yourself? self-sacrificially? love her as much as you love yourself? Do you demonstrate your love in both words and deeds?

If you are in other positions of authority:
1. Do you seriously weigh your responsibilities as itemized in the Larger Catechism just quoted.
2.  Are you just with them? fair? patient? truthful?
3.  Do you praise and reward, when possible, those that do well; and rebuke and discipline (if it is in your power) those that do wrong?

 -questions from Lauxstermann"s The Believer's Delight, p 63-66