I just want to mention that what Jesus teaches about obedience is so far from Ezzo. My kids and I have had some discussion this week about God's commands and they were wondering what the Bible says.
Obedience and commands have to do with LOVE and JOY.
This is what Jesus said about HIS commands: John 15:9-17 says:
“As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father’s commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command. I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit —fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. This is my command: Love each other. "
Also 1 John talks about how Jesus commands are not burdensome.
It seems to me that Ezzo and others like him are trying to instill fear into our children. Jesus preached obedience in the context of relationship. It is so rare that I demand my kids do something. They usually listen to me because we have a close joyful relationship. We help each other.
I feel that if I forced obedience on my kids the obedience wouldn't be genuine and there would be underlying anger and fear toward me. God said that perfect love casts out fear. As adults we manage our relationships based on mutual love and kindness- why is it any different for our kids?
It's preaching like Ezzo and Pearl that takes the gospel and makes it what they want instead of what Jesus REALLY said.