{"id":1797,"date":"2023-01-11T13:56:46","date_gmt":"2023-01-11T13:56:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/livingstonesministries.org\/help4families\/?p=1797"},"modified":"2026-04-14T06:20:24","modified_gmt":"2026-04-14T06:20:24","slug":"parents-defend-your-god-given-rights","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/livingstonesministries.org\/help4families\/parents-defend-your-god-given-rights\/","title":{"rendered":"Parents, Defend Your God-Given Rights"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-container uagb-block-ca5ff7a6 alignfull uagb-is-root-container\"><div style=\"font-size:24px;\" class=\"has-text-align-center has-link-color adobe-reg-italic wp-elements-85a8a21107b8ee66b96e773a6aa630b7 wp-block-post-date has-text-color has-web-light-green-color\"><time datetime=\"2023-01-11T13:56:46+00:00\">January 11, 2023<\/time><\/div>\n\n<h2 style=\"color:#ffffff; font-size:45px;font-style:normal;font-weight:600;text-transform:uppercase;letter-spacing:4px;\" class=\"has-text-align-center has-link-color proxima-font wp-elements-8489a226fd32958d683121eb2fa02d00 wp-block-post-title has-text-color\">Parents, Defend Your God-Given Rights<\/h2><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-container uagb-block-d4d0f525 alignfull uagb-is-root-container\"><div class=\"uagb-container-inner-blocks-wrap\">\n<p class=\"adobe-reg has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-b9a51933b66f9b98bb9d79ec99806d74\" style=\"color:#1a1a1ab3;font-size:18px;letter-spacing:0px\">by: Denise Shick<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"adobe-reg blog-link has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-3de24a00187107f792932524a9bedf70\" style=\"color:#1a1a1ab3;font-size:18px;letter-spacing:0px\">\u201cChildren are a heritage from the Lord, offspring are a reward from him.\u201d&nbsp;<strong><em>\u2013&nbsp;<\/em><\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/biblia.com\/bible\/esv\/Ps%20127.3\"><strong><em>Psalm 127:3<\/em><\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"adobe-reg blog-link has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-f347e760a005f97049ec607d84a36c03\" style=\"color:#1a1a1ab3;font-size:18px;letter-spacing:0px\">School districts across the United States are enacting policies that undermine the authority of parents to determine what is best for their children. In a&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.foxnews.com\/us\/michigan-school-hides-student-transgender-parent\">Michigan middle school<\/a>, teachers were advised not to notify parents of their child\u2019s transgender status. Similarly,&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.foxnews.com\/politics\/maryland-school-district-unveils-lgbtq-book-list-teaches-words-intersex-drag-queen-pre-k-students\">a Maryland school district<\/a>&nbsp;unveiled a book list for teachers that will promote LGBTQ ideology under the guise of teaching students about \u201cdiversity not anatomy\u201d to circumvent a parent\u2019s right to opt-out of sexual health-related topics. And according to&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.foxnews.com\/us\/gender-policy-washington-state-school-district-spits-face-parents-mother-says\">mother Bo Begalman<\/a>, the gender policy in a Washington state school district \u201cspits in the face of parents\u201d by allowing teachers to do \u201cwhat seems best to them.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"adobe-reg blog-link has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-636d68fc2cb0bd9f1833e276c4a2b605\" style=\"color:#1a1a1ab3;font-size:18px;letter-spacing:0px\">But God did not ordain government officials or professional educators to be a child\u2019s primary authority. He gave parents the responsibility for nurturing children when he told the Israelites,&nbsp;\u201cThese commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up\u201d (<a href=\"https:\/\/biblia.com\/bible\/niv\/Deut%206.6%E2%80%937\">Deuteronomy 6:6\u20137 NIV<\/a>). And nowhere in Scripture is that authority or responsibility handed over to a government or any other agency.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading proxima-font has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-1dd1dec595209bfa330822325d48bcfe\" style=\"color:#4a4a4a;font-size:22px;letter-spacing:2px;text-transform:uppercase\"><strong>WHAT THE BIBLE SAYS ABOUT PARENTAL AUTHORITY<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"adobe-reg blog-link has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-f60433d906dd300d8a1c9948dbe18f49\" style=\"color:#1a1a1ab3;font-size:18px;letter-spacing:0px\">In&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/biblia.com\/bible\/esv\/Ps%20127.3\">Psalm 127:3<\/a>, the Hebrew word translated \u201cheritage\u201d has a multi-faceted meaning. It referred to a possession, property, inheritance, or portion \u201cassigned by God\u201d just as the land was a possession assigned by God. But it also can be translated \u201cgift, inheritance, blessing\u2014something to be cared for, treasured, protected.\u201d\u00b9&nbsp;When we apply this definition to children, we see that God gave parents the responsibility and privilege of nurturing and protecting their children.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"adobe-reg blog-link has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-da6da53e2117dd987b15cbdde533db3b\" style=\"color:#1a1a1ab3;font-size:18px;letter-spacing:0px\"><a href=\"https:\/\/biblia.com\/bible\/esv\/Prov%2022.6\">Proverbs 22:6<\/a>&nbsp;is often quoted as a parenting principle. The Amplified Version of the Bible says,&nbsp;\u201cTrain up a child in the way he should go [teaching him to seek God\u2019s wisdom and will for his abilities and talents], even when he is old he will not depart from it.\u201d The Amplified Classic says, \u201cTrain up a child in the way he should go [and in keeping with his individual gift or bent] and when he is old he will not depart from it.\u201d Paired with the teaching of&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/biblia.com\/bible\/esv\/Deut%206.6%E2%80%937\">Deuteronomy 6:6\u20137<\/a>, we can conclude that God intended parents to be their children\u2019s primary teachers and mentors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"adobe-reg blog-link has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-27362c75e15581111fe8b00792600624\" style=\"color:#1a1a1ab3;font-size:18px;letter-spacing:0px\">Perhaps the best parental\/child model is the one illustrated in Luke 2&nbsp;by Jesus. He voluntarily submitted to his parents\u2019 will and authority. Verse 51 says Jesus \u201cwas submissive\u201d to them (ESV). The Greek word translated \u201csubmissive\u201d&nbsp;literally means, \u201carranged under.\u201d It was a military term meaning \u201cto arrange [troop divisions] in a military fashion under the command of a leader.\u201d In non-military use, it was \u201ca voluntary attitude of giving in, cooperation, assuming responsibility, and carrying a burden.\u201d\u00b2&nbsp;Jesus voluntarily submitted to his parents\u2019 control and yielded to their advice and admonition. He lived out the fifth commandment of the Decalogue: \u201cHonor your father and your mother\u201d (<a href=\"https:\/\/biblia.com\/bible\/niv\/Exod%2020.12\">Exodus 20:12 NIV<\/a>).&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"adobe-reg blog-link has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-4ced4b2b335c420ade58288e09d290b4\" style=\"color:#1a1a1ab3;font-size:18px;letter-spacing:0px\">Paul elaborated on this commandment in&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/biblia.com\/bible\/esv\/Eph%206.1%E2%80%933\">Ephesians 6:1\u20133<\/a>: \u201cChildren, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. \u2018Honor your father and mother\u2019\u2014which is the first commandment with a promise\u2014\u2018so that it may go well with you and that you may live long on the earth\u2019\u201d (NIV, see also&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/biblia.com\/bible\/esv\/Deut%205.16\">Deuteronomy 5:16<\/a>). The Greek word translated \u201cobey\u201d means \u201cto heed or conform to a command or authority.\u201d\u00b3<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"adobe-reg blog-link has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-9eb8354308c82353756d25f649f2eae4\" style=\"color:#1a1a1ab3;font-size:18px;letter-spacing:0px\">When government agencies or educational institutions usurp parental authority, they are acting in opposition to the God-ordained function and responsibilities of parents. They are also encouraging children to oppose what God has ordained as best for them: obeying their parents and living under their authority.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading proxima-font has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-3397abb085c4d2dd5a68729d1c9928b5\" style=\"color:#4a4a4a;font-size:22px;letter-spacing:2px;text-transform:uppercase\"><strong>YOUR PARENTAL RIGHTS<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"adobe-reg blog-link has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-8a732e8a4c16073c1c6cf6b540aa7c4f\" style=\"color:#1a1a1ab3;font-size:18px;letter-spacing:0px\">You have the right to raise your children in a way that pleases God and celebrates their God-given identity. You have the right to review instructional materials teachers plan to use in the classroom and to teach your children about gender and sex from a biblical perspective. And, as much as it is within your power to do so, you are responsible before God to control your child\u2019s exposure to LGBT-themed books and curriculum as well as any other content that is opposed to the truth revealed in God\u2019s Word.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"adobe-reg has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-de8eea38c8a8196d48f1a160bfd4843e\" style=\"color:#1a1a1ab3;font-size:18px;letter-spacing:0px\">So what can you do to protect those rights?&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul style=\"color:#1a1a1ab3;font-size:18px\" class=\"adobe-reg blog-link has-text-color has-link-color wp-block-list wp-elements-ed521a3c8c8ed453d25b3a1f78a002d3\">\n<li>Seek a position on your local school board.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Meet with your child\u2019s teacher. Ask what books are being used or recommended in class. Ask what content is being taught under the label of diversity and inclusion.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>File complaints with your school district, state education agency, or the US Educational Department. That is what the Gay Lesbian Straight Education Network (GLSEN) advises parents to do in their&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.glsen.org\/sites\/default\/files\/ctg\/GLSEN_CTG2021_Parents-Caregivers_Families_Guide.pdf\">Game Plan for Parents, Caregivers, and Families<\/a>so make sure your voice is heard too.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Request a copy of your school\u2019s anti-bullying and harassment policy. Press school officials on whether that applies only to LGBT students or to all students. LGBT students, teachers, and school officials should not be allowed to bully or harass your child in the name of diversity or inclusion.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Ask if your school has a safety plan for any student who requests private changing areas\u2014or just for LGBT students. If your child feels uncomfortable in the bathroom or locker room, he or she should be able to request a private changing area too.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>As a last resort, consider filing a lawsuit against your school district.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"adobe-reg has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-a0a79dad48abe49f3380c1e4aa0d05ae\" style=\"color:#1a1a1ab3;font-size:18px;letter-spacing:0px\">Above all, talk to your children about these topics in age-appropriate language and teach them what God says about gender, identity, and sexual-health related topics. Don\u2019t assume your child is too young to hear about or care about these subjects. If their pre-k curriculum or school library includes books such as&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/Pride-Puppy-Robin-Stevenson\/dp\/1459824849\/ref=asc_df_1459824849\/?tag=hyprod-20&amp;linkCode=df0&amp;hvadid=509159758702&amp;hvpos=&amp;hvnetw=g&amp;hvrand=93219390721957758&amp;hvpone=&amp;hvptwo=&amp;hvqmt=&amp;hvdev=c&amp;hvdvcmdl=&amp;hvlocint=&amp;hvlocphy=1021179&amp;hvtargid=pla-1239415355937&amp;psc=1\">Pride Puppy<\/a>, then they are hearing about these subjects at school. Be aware, be pro-active, but most of all, be the parent God has called you to be and raise your child to be the person God designed him or her to be.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<div class=\"gsp_post_data\" \r\n\t            data-post_type=\"post\" \r\n\t            data-cat=\"uncategorized\" \r\n\t            data-modified=\"120\"\r\n\t            data-created=\"1673445406\"\r\n\t            data-title=\"Parents, Defend Your God-Given Rights\" \r\n\t            data-home=\"https:\/\/livingstonesministries.org\/help4families\"><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>by: Denise Shick \u201cChildren are a heritage from the Lord, offspring are a reward from him.\u201d&nbsp;\u2013&nbsp;Psalm 127:3 School districts across the United States are enacting policies that undermine the authority of parents to determine what is best for their children. In a&nbsp;Michigan middle school, teachers were advised not to notify parents of their child\u2019s transgender &#8230; <a title=\"Parents, Defend Your God-Given Rights\" class=\"read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/livingstonesministries.org\/help4families\/parents-defend-your-god-given-rights\/\" aria-label=\"Read more about Parents, Defend Your God-Given Rights\">Read more<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_uag_custom_page_level_css":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1797","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"aioseo_notices":[],"uagb_featured_image_src":{"full":false,"thumbnail":false,"medium":false,"medium_large":false,"large":false,"1536x1536":false,"2048x2048":false},"uagb_author_info":{"display_name":"Denise","author_link":"https:\/\/livingstonesministries.org\/help4families\/author\/denise\/"},"uagb_comment_info":0,"uagb_excerpt":"by: Denise Shick \u201cChildren are a heritage from the Lord, offspring are a reward from him.\u201d&nbsp;\u2013&nbsp;Psalm 127:3 School districts across the United States are enacting policies that undermine the authority of parents to determine what is best for their children. In a&nbsp;Michigan middle school, teachers were advised not to notify parents of their child\u2019s transgender&hellip;","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/livingstonesministries.org\/help4families\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1797","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/livingstonesministries.org\/help4families\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/livingstonesministries.org\/help4families\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/livingstonesministries.org\/help4families\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/livingstonesministries.org\/help4families\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1797"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/livingstonesministries.org\/help4families\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1797\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1829,"href":"https:\/\/livingstonesministries.org\/help4families\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1797\/revisions\/1829"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/livingstonesministries.org\/help4families\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1797"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/livingstonesministries.org\/help4families\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1797"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/livingstonesministries.org\/help4families\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1797"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}