No Rules = Chaos!

As you’re driving in the car and you stop at a red light, ask the kids:

Why did we stop at this red light?

What would happen if I just kept driving through it?

Why is it important to obey the rules?

Ask the kids to find other road signs that drivers need to obey and talk about why it is important to obey them. (It would be a good idea to be going the speed limit before you see a speed limit sign!)

God gave certain rules in the Bible, not because He wanted to make it hard for us, but He gave us rules to protect us. He is wise and knows what is best!

Optional: If you have older kids, talk about how God’s rules (Ten Commandments) protect us. For example: By obeying God’s rule not to steal, He is protecting you from suffering the consequences of getting caught, from hurting others, from guilt (even if you don’t get caught you will feel guilty), etc.

The Johnson Family Camping Trip

Read the following story aloud:

Aaron couldn’t believe it was finally happening-. The Johnson family was on their first camping trip and Aaron was so excited. He dashed around the campsite helping his dad unload the van and set up the tent. He couldn’t wait till they built a campfire and roasted hot dogs and marshmallows. “Aaron, walk around the area and gather some limbs and sticks to make a fire,” his dad told him after they put the tent up. Just as Aaron came back with an armful of sticks, his dad ordered, “Stop; don’t move!”

Aaron immediately stopped, wondering why his dad would tell him to get the sticks and then stop before he brought them to the fire pit.

Mr. Johnson walked toward Aaron with a big stick in his hand. His dad reached up and knocked a snake out of the tree near where Aaron was standing. Later as they were roasting marshmallows, Mr. Johnson told Aaron how pleased he was that Aaron obeyed right away. “I saw what you couldn’t and I wanted to protect you,” his dad reassured him. Aaron was glad that he could trust his father to protect him and Mr. Johnson was glad that he could trust Aaron to obey.

Ask:

• Why was it important for Aaron to obey right away?
• Why is important for you to obey right away?
• What does this statement mean: “Delayed obedience is disobedience.” What does that mean? (If you delay and don’t do what you’re told right away, then you are not really obeying.)

God’s rules are to protect and provide for you. He made you and knows what is best for you. You must believe that what He says is true and then obey it, even when you don’t understand or if it’s hard.

Blind Obedience

Set up a simple obstacle course in the family room or outside (pillows, chairs, boxes, etc – nothing breakable, just in case). Blindfold one child and let another person direct him through the course. (They can’t touch each other unless one is about to get hurt!)

Blindfold another person. (Take a turn Mom and Dad – the kids will love directing you!) Slightly rearrange the course and let the seeing person lead the blindfolded person through it.

After each one has had a turn, ask:

How did you feel walking through the course blindfolded? Why was it important to listen and do what the other person told you to do?

God knows the ways you should go. He wants to direct you. BUT you have to listen and do what He says. If you will listen to the Bible and do what it says, you will know how to be happy, how to make friends, how to go to heaven, and many more important things. Just as you had to trust your partner to tell you the right way to go, you can trust God to lead you the right way too! His way is always best.

What Happened When You Disobeyed?

Tell your kids about a time when you disobeyed your parent (and possibly share the consequences). Tell them it's not always easy to obey because we are born with a desire to sin. That's why Jesus came to die for our sins and to live inside of us to help us.

Teach them 1 John 1:9, "if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to clean us from all unrighteousness."

Teach them to say a simple prayer telling God they are sorry. "Dear God, I am sorry for _______ (name the sin). Please help me to do what's right. Amen."

Road Rules. God's Rules.

As you're driving ask:

What might happen if I drove on the wrong side of the road or if I ran a red light? (we could get in an accident and someone could get hurt)

Why do we want you to follow God's rules? (becasue we want to protect you and lead you in the right way)

How can obeying God's rule, "Do not life," protect you? (It keeps you from feeling guilty if you lie; it will protect your reputation so others won't think of you as a liar; it will help others trust what you say, etc)

One of the best reasons to obey is because you will happier if you follow God's way.

"Delayed obedience is disobedience."

Ask:

What does this statement mean, "Delayed obedience is disobedience." (Hopefully, your kids learned about this in Sunday School.)

Delayed obedience is when you don't obey right away. Like when you're told to take out the trash and you wait until you're finished watching TV. If you don't obey when you are told, you are disobeying! What could happen if you wait? (you could forget and not do it)

Tell your kids you're going to be watching this week. You want them to obey you RIGHT AWAY - don't wait. Every time, they obey RIGHT AWAY, give them a big hug and tell them how glad you are to see them obeying right away.