Summary: Hannah walked into the house with a big grin on her face. "Mom," she called out, "we had the best time in school today!" "What did you do that was so much fun?" asked Mom with a smile. "Oh, we had a substitute teacher today. It was so funny!" Hannah laughed. "Some of the kids switched seats, so all day long the sub was calling them the wrong names. Pete and Joel told her our teacher always lets us out for recess early. She believed them, so we got out five minutes before everyone else!" Mom frowned. "How would your substitute know who the kids are or where they were supposed to sit?" she asked. Hannah shrugged. "I know our teacher left a seating chart with everybody's name on it," she said. "But if the kids used each other's names, how would the sub know if they were in the right seats or not?" asked Mom. "And how would she know the boys were lying about being let out early for recess? No one corrected them, right?" "Well, no. I . . . I guess she wouldn't know," admitted Hannah. "Why didn't you tell her?" asked Mom. "Showing her respect and obeying her is not only common courtesy; it's a command from God!" Hannah's eyes widened. "It is?" she asked in surprise. "I know the Bible says to obey your parents, but it doesn't mention teachers, does it?" "When you were learning your memory verse for Bible club last week, I heard you recite it several times," Mom said. "It was Romans 13:1, right? Who does it say you should be subject to? Who should you respect and obey?" Hannah thought for a moment. "Ah-h-h. Governing authorities," she finally replied. (See today's Key Verse.) "Yes," said Mom. "We're to obey anyone who is in authority over us, aren't we?" "Oh! Well, she's just a sub," replied Hannah with a shrug. "It doesn't matter." "Oh, yes, it does matter!" exclaimed Mom. "When she's teaching your class, you are under her authority. Like I said, God commands that you obey her." "I-I-I'm sorry," stuttered Hannah. "I . . . I know what I'll do! I think she's coming back tomorrow, so I'll tell her who the kids are and what rules we have!" How About You? How do you treat substitute teachers in school or Sunday school? If you decide to have a little fun when you have subs, make sure it's fun for them as well as for you. If you or your classmates give the substitute a bad day, it isn't funny to God. He says you must obey and respect those who have authority over you. That includes teachers, substitute teachers, employers, coaches, and government authorities. Today's Key Verse: Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. (Romans 13:1) Today's Key Thought: Respect authority
