The Fifth Commandment and All Governing Authorities

These words teach:

1. That God has chosen to rule this fallen world through the human institutions of government in Family, Church and State
2. That obedience to such government is required of Christians as obedience to God himself.

Three sovereign spheres: Family, Church and State.
Family: The family is a sovereign sphere of government for the married couple in the nurture of children. The family is responsible to God for the Christian formation and education of its children---not the state!
The family may choose to do this itself or delegate the task, but the family is still responsible to God for the Christian formation and education of its children.
Church: At the same time the Christian family is to be under the jurisdiction and guidance of the Church. The church must ensure the Gospel nurture of its members including the children. E.g. If parents are failing, the church must exercise its God-given authority to address and correct the failure.
State: The state is responsible to God to provide for the safety, defense, and administration of justice for its citizens in keeping with the general equity of the Law of God.

WLC Q. 124. Who are meant by father and mother in the fifth commandment?
A. By father and mother, in the fifth commandment, are meant, not only natural parents, but all superiors in age and gifts; and especially such as, by God's ordinance, are over us in place of authority, whether in family, church, or commonwealth.

Again, the answer to our sin is Jesus:
(1 Peter 2:21-25 ESV)