Although children don’t always show it and seldom will they admit it, children do need structure and discipline. Learning to obey their parents, you and other figures of authority will teach them to obey God’s word.
Bible Verses:
Proverbs 1:8 Listen to your father’s instruction and do not forsake your mother’s teaching.
John 14:15 If you love Me, you will obey what I command.
John 14:21 Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves Me.
Colossians 3:20 Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord.
To help the young child find joy in learning and practicing the skills of listening and follow-through.
Read Genesis 3. Share how Adam and Eve disobeyed God. Discuss the consequences of disobedience.
Read Jonah 1 and 2. Share how Jonah learned to obey the hard way.
Read Daniel 3. Share how the three Hebrew boys obeyed even when it was hard and not popular.
Christian families follow God.
We worship God when we obey Him.
God made the Sabbath for us because He loves us.
We worship God in Sabbath School and church.
Feel loved and be a part of a family. Respond by being helpful and obedient.
Be obedient to your parents and kind to family members and pets.
We come to church because we love Jesus.
Although children don’t always show it and seldom will they admit it, children do need structure and discipline. Learning to obey you and figures of authority will teach them to obey God’s word.
Enjoy family baking. Make one batch of cookies but don’t follow the recipe exactly (leave out a key ingredient or put more or less of an ingredient). Discuss what happens when we don’t “obey” or follow instructions. Then bake the same recipe following the recipe exactly. Talk about the joys experienced when we obey.
Have a “Celebrate Obedience” Jar (like a baby food jar). Each time your child obeys the rules, add a marble. When the jar is full, do something special with the family.
Easy Obedience, Kay Kuzma
Wrong Way Jonah, KayArthur
A Children’s Book About Disobeying, Joy Berry
Songs: Trust and Obey, I have Decided to Follow Jesus, Be Careful Little Eyes What You See, Listen, Obey, and Be Blessed, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yCVve5pxf0A
Enjoy family baking. Make one batch of cookies but don't follow the recipe exactly (leave out a key ingredient or put more or less of an ingredient). Discuss what happens when we don't "obey" or follow instructions. Then bake the same recipe following the recipe exactly. Talk about the joys experienced when we obey.
Have a "Celebrate Obedience" Jar (like a baby food jar). Each time your child obeys the rules, add a marble. When the jar is full, do something special with the family.
Adventist History
(Materials: One 1”X10” board, placed flat upon the floor so the children can walk on it as if it’s a bridge.) Have the children walk slowly over the “bridge”. Teacher calls out: “Joseph Bates! What’s the news?” Instruct the children to answer teacher by saying: “The news is that the seventh day is the Sabbath!” Have the children stop walking and say “What a strange thing to say!” Explain that Saturday is the Sabbath of the God of Heaven and it is a day that is to remind us of all the wonderful things God has created: Light, air, water, plants, food, stars, the moon and sun, fish, birds, animals, insects, bugs and… people. Yes, you and me were created by God! And Saturday is God’s Sabbath to help us remember how wonderful He is, how much He loves you and how well He takes care of you. Repeat the game several times and be sure all the children get a chance to walk over the “bridge”.
- Place soil in a pan or in a box and then place an insect such as a worm, cricket, or beetle on top of the soil. Ring a bell while blowing low heat from a blow dryer onto the insect. The insect will dig down into the soil to avoid the warm air. After repeating this several times, ring only the bell and observe how the insect will dig into the soil without the warm air being blown. Use this as a lesson to demonstrate how the insects respond to the “still small ringing of the bell” and how we too should be obedient to the “still small voice” of God. If we respond to his voice, we will avoid those things that can bring us harm.
- Outside in an area where children can use riding toys such as bikes, scooters, etc., draw the markings for a street to make a four way intersection. Allow children to take turns being the “traffic cop”. Provide the “traffic cop” with props such as a whistle, a stop sign, a uniform, etc. Teach the “traffic cop” different hand signals in order to direct the traffic such as stop, go, and slow down. Then teach the “drivers” the meanings of the signs. Provide time for the “drivers” to go for a ride, reminding them that they must obey the “traffic cop”. Have a discussion later about the importance of rules and what would happen if no one followed the rules. Have them share stories from their day “on the road”. Share with them God’s rules, why He gave them to us, why we should follow them, and what can happen when we don’t.