For Starters

Rebellion has been a part of American culture since the start. Our country was born of a rebellion and has made heroes of those who "buck the system". Especially, however, starting in the 1950's rebels have been the champions of the teen culture. James Dean, The Rolling Stones, and others lead the way in irreverence and rebellion; and teens, who have had the tendency to rebel through the millenniums, have followed them by the millions. Yet, rebellion is not one of the fruits of the spirit.

So, What's the Story?

Korah's rebellion

In Number 16:1,40 there is a story of a man and his followers who rebelled against Moses, Aaron, and the Lord's way. Korah and those who followed him thought that they were as good as Moses and Aaron and could do just as good a job or even better than they were doing (since Moses and Aaron were well over 80 years old). So, they confronted Moses and Aaron with their demand to take their place as leaders of Israel. What they had neglected to understand was that God had specifically called Moses and Aaron to lead God's people and had not changed His mind. He saw Korah's rebellion not as a righteous changing of the guard, but as a challenge of His own authority; and God caused the earth to swallow some of them up and caused fire to consume others of them.

This is completely in harmony with the rest of the Bible's teachings about authority. Romans 13 has a very illuminating teaching on submitting to authority, instead of rebelling against it.

Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and he will commend you. For he is God's servant to do you good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword for nothing. He is God's servant, an agent of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also because of conscience. This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God's servants, who give their full time to governing. Give everyone what you owe him: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honour, then honour. (Romans 13:1-7, NIV).
Notice:

* Rebellion is rebelling against the authority of God Himself, who placed authority in the hands who have it, as stewards (and will answer for their stewardship).
* We owe those in authority over us respect and honor and obedience in the Lord.
* Such authorities are authorized by God to punish wrong doers.

So What?

* Can or should we something sinful because government, parents, teachers, husbands, police, or other authority tell us to? Where can we draw the line? Why or why not? What if your country demands that you become one of its soldiers? What would you do and why?
* What if your government demands taxes of you and those taxes are used for sinful things (things that God does not approve of)? Should I pay taxes or not? What did Jesus say in Mt. 22:15,22?
* How does this command from God work between parents and teens? How can teens express their independence without being disobedient? What if a teen's parents forbade him or her from becoming a Christian? What would you do and why?
* Have you ever had a younger kid show disrespect to you? How did you feel? How does this command of God to submit and show respect/reverence apply to worship? What irreverent or disrespectful things have you seen others (no names please) do in worship or devotional periods?