Dear Parent,

The goal of this week’s lesson is to give your child yet another reason to obey and trust you.  Ideally, all children should do what we (parents) say, but it’s not just because we birthed them, are raising them, and are providing for them.  Our children should obey us because God instructs them to do so.  So, on days when obedience is more challenging, play the “God card”.  He wants you to, and He can grow closer to your child through it!

 

Materials Needed: A playful “heart”, bible, pencil, and paper

 

Bible Scripture:  Ephesians 6:1-3

Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.  “Honor your father and mother” - which is the first commandment with a promise - “that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.”

 

Today's Script:

Have you ever played “Simon Says”?

 

(Let your child answer.)

 

It such a fun game! Let's play it together! I will say “Simon Says” and give an instruction.  Then, you follow the instructions and obey!  Are you ready?

 

Simon says put your hand on your heart.

 

(Let your child obey.  Say good job and move on to the next command.)

 

Simon says clap your hands and say, “I love Jesus!”.

 

(Let your child obey.  Say good job and move on to the next command.)

 

Simon says sing “Jesus Loves Me”.

 

(Let your child obey.  Say good job and move on to the next command.)

 

Simon says give me a hug.

 

(Let your child obey.  Say good job.)

 

Playing Simon says reminds me of something.  It reminds me of how our household works.  I give you instructions throughout the day, and you obey me.  Can you think of a time recently when you didn’t obey me?

 

(Brainstorm together.)

 

Yes.  That was not good when you     <insert example here>   .

 

It was not good because I told you to     <insert example here>  , and you   <insert example here>  .  You disobeyed me.  

 

You need to obey me because I am your parent, because I am in charge, and because I know what is best for you.  But, there is another reason you should obey me, and it is the most important reason of all:

 

BECAUSE GOD WANTS YOU TO OBEY ME!

 

God makes it very clear in the bible that He wants you to obey me.  In fact, He says to honor and obey me 16 times in this bible! 

 

God must feel strongly about something if He says it 16 times!  

 

Let’s remind ourselves 16 times to obey our parents.  We can keep track of the number of times we say it with a pencil and piece of paper.  Are you ready?

 

(Using tally marks, count the number of times you say, “obey my mother and/or father”, up to 16 times.)

 

Whew!  I really think that will help us remember to obey next time we are struggling with our listening, right?

 

(Let your child answer.)

 

Now, can we please play more “Simon says”?

 

(Let your child answer.)

 

Simon says jump up and down.

 

(Continue to play together as you reiterate the lesson.  Have fun and Godspeed!)