A correspondent writes, “Can you give me a biblical reference regarding teenagers showing respect to their teachers? I recall reading something in the new testament that refers to respect from students to teachers and for employees to employers.” Proverbs 5:13 appears in a context where young persons are warned to refrain from fornication; it reads: “And have not obeyed the voice of my teachers, nor inclined mine ear to them that instructed me!”
The first and primary teacher of youth, though, is the parent. The apostle Paul wrote of parental responsibility and the responsibility of children to their parents. After that, the apostle also penned instructions to servants or slaves toward their masters; in principle, the instruction Paul gave to servants is applicable to employees toward their employers.
Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right. Honour thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise;) That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth. And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ; Not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart; With good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men: Knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord, whether he be bond or free. (Ephesians 6:1-8; cf. Colossians 3:20-24).
Perhaps some of these verses are the ones you had in mind.
