Have you ever been right in the middle of building an epic Lego tower or winning a video game, when suddenly you hear your parents call out, “Time to clean up and do your chores!”? It is so tempting to pretend you didn’t hear them, roll your eyes, or groan and drag your feet. When we want to keep having fun, following rules right away can feel like the hardest thing in the world.
When we build a Bible grid for our lives, one of the biggest foundational rocks is Obedience. Following rules isn’t just about avoiding getting into trouble; it’s actually the ultimate way we show God how much we love Him! God gave us parents, teachers, and leaders to protect us and guide us. When you choose to listen and obey them, you are actually obeying God and building a strong, happy life.
Ephesians 6:1 Children, obey your parents because you belong to the Lord, for this is the right thing to do.
Practicing obedience in real life means choosing fast obedience—doing what you are asked right away, without complaining or asking for “five more minutes.” Instead of waiting until your mom or dad asks you three times to put your shoes away, you can choose to win at life by hopping up and doing it on the very first try. Doing the right thing with a good attitude shows everyone that you are growing up and following Jesus.
Here is a super helpful mental life hack: whenever your parents or teachers give you an instruction, pause and say to yourself, “Obeying now shows Jesus I love Him!” Choosing to obey instantly changes your heart from grumpy to joyful. Let’s make it our mission this week to stand strong on the rock of obedience and show Jesus’ love in our homes every single day!
Talk About It
- What is the absolute silliest or funniest rule your family has in your house?
- What is our main Bible verse for today, and where can you find it in the Bible?
- Parents, when you were kids, what was one household chore or rule you really hated doing, and how did you handle it?
- When you are tired or having fun, why is it so hard to obey your parents on the first try, and how can Jesus help you choose a good attitude?
- What is one specific way your family can practice “first-time obedience” together all week long?