NOTE TO TEACHERS: The following lesson deals with the recent devastating fires in New Mexico. If you live in an area that was affected by this tragedy, you will know best how to handle this sensitive issue.

In the last few years, New Mexico has experienced numerous destructive wildfires that have burned homes and land alike. Any time something of this nature happens, people want to know who is responsible. Investigations are long and involved; sometimes, those questions never get fully answered. But we still try to follow the trail and question who had the final authority over the situation and how it was handled. In the case of one recent New Mexico wildfire, someone did come forward to take authority and responsibility over the situation. Let’s take a look.

Share the following video clip with your students [1:20]: US Forest Service Accidentally Starts Biggest Forest Fire in New Mexico History

The U.S. Forest Service was doing a routine prescribed burn when thigs went awry. Due to unforeseen weather circumstances, the area was especially hot and dry. This led to the wildfire spreading and quickly becoming destructive. The U.S. Forest Service had the authority to do these controlled burns, but unfortunately, things didn’t go as planned.

• If you had been affected by the forest service’s decisions to do controlled burns that become out of control, would you have questioned their authority to make such impactful decisions? Why or why not? (Answers will vary.)
• Is challenging authority a matter of individual personality—or a universal tendency? (Most people, even the compliant ones, will admit a desire to control their own lives. There are, however, some people who have a stronger bent toward rebellion.) 
• In what ways do you see society encouraging attitudes of rebellion? (Answers will vary but may include TV shows that feature children being sarcastic or disrespectful to their parents; attitudes that suggest calling parents by their first name or ignoring parents’ wishes are desired qualities of individualism or healthy self-esteem; young people see parents and other adults being disrespectful or rebellious toward people in authority such as police officers, an employer, or the president, etc.)
• When someone is in charge over us, are we an equal? (Allow students to express their thoughts freely without commenting on their opinions.) 
• Why is it so hard to submit to others’ authority? (Answers will vary.)

Being under authority isn’t easy. People get frustrated—even angry—with decisions they have no control over. When human error is a factor, it makes it even harder to submit. But God never makes mistakes. Even though God gives us the free will to control our actions, He established a hierarchy of authority—and He is the ultimate authority. Let’s examine what Jesus said about who’s in charge, and in the process, understand our role in God’s story.