WELCOME TO WEEK 3

God gave us the people in our family to love and care for. We don’t usually get to choose what family we are a part of, but God gave us this family for a reason. He wants us to love them and honor them in the way we treat each other. This week we will see how honoring out mother and father is also honoring or obeying God.

Exodus 20:12-14

BIBLE STORY

Each family is different. Our families may look different and have different traditions, but God gave us family members to love and respect. Each family may have different ways they do things or different rules for their house. Listen to the following family rules and decide if this is a rule at your house. Then come up with a few more family rules that are at your house.

-clear your spot at the table after a meal.

-help set the table

-help with the laundry

-do your chores on time

-resect other family members’ things 

-Don’t share family business to random people

-Love each other

-say please and thank you

-help mom during or after dinner

-do your homework and study for school

-obey your mom and dad

Although everyone’s house may not look the same, we probably have a few rules that we all share. Obeying mom and dad is not just a rule but it is a part of God’s commandments. We may not always like the rules they set in place, but God knew we would need parents to guide us as we make tough decision in life. Our parents want the best for us, so they set rules to keep us safe. The 5th, 6th, & 7th commandments help us show love to our families and people around us. 

Read or listen to the story Exodus 16:1-16, 17:1-7

What is the 5th commandment?

How is the 5th commandment different from the 4th commandment?

Who are we to honor?

What will happen if we honor our mother and father?

What is the 6th commandment?

How does keeping this commandment show love?

What is the 6th commandment?

Why does God want us to commit or make a promise to our husband or wife?

BIBLE STORY ACTIVITY

Activity

God tells us to obey our parents because our parents are there to keep us safe and help us learn more about God. Read the following sentence strips and sort them into baskets. Listen to the sentences and decide if they trying to keep us safe, or helping us grow closer to God.

Materials: printed sheet cut into strips

Alternate

Listen to the following scenarios and decide if it was the best way to respond. We are all given rules or directions from our parents or the adults in charge, and sometimes we don’t like it. Although we may not like the rule or feel like it is unfair, we are not to have a temper or fit about things not going our way. Decide if the person in the scenarios handled their directions the right way. If they did not, discuss what they should have done to show respect to the parent or adult guardian.

Johnny is not allowed to watch the TV program he has asked tot watch that his friend told him about. He complains that all the other shows are babyish and folds his arms to pout about having to watch this ‘baby’ show.

Sarah wants to invite her entire class of 40 kids to her house for her birthday slumber party. Her mom tells her she can have 10 girls over. Sarah makes a list of the 10 girls she knows would enjoy the slumber part.

Eli asks for a special toy for Christmas but on Christmas Day he did not receive his longed for toy. He begins to complain about how all of his other new toys are no good and that he doesn’t even care about them.

Jake’s teacher says she will bring him a chocolate cookie at lunch but she forgets. Jake gets upset and cries all during lunch over the cookie.

Stan wants to stay up late to finish watching a long movie. His parents tell him he has to finish the movie tomorrow. Jake goes to bed disappointed.

Skylar wants to eat ice cream before dinner. Her mom tells her they will eat dinner soon and then she can have ice cream. Skylar goes into the freezer and sneaks a taste when her mom is watching.

Materials:

Independent activity:

Draw a picture of your family. Write 3 ways your family shows love to one another, or draw 3 ways your family shows love. Our family is important. They are the people God gave us to love and take care of. God has commanded us to obey our parents and love others. When we do those things, it makes us happier and live healthier lives as well.

Materials: construction paper, crayons, various art supplies

ARTS & CAFTS

CRAFT 1

10 commandments hand prints. Stamp both of your child’s handprints onto a piece of paper after dipping the hands in paint or painting their hands. Once the paint has dried, write the 10 commandments on each finger. Write, “The 10 commandments on the top”. Discuss what each of the 10 commandments mean.

Materials: sheet of paper, paint, sharpie marker

Craft 2

Coloring page

Materials: printed coloring sheet, crayons

FOLLOW-UP

What were the commandments you read today?

Why is it hard sometimes to honor our mother and father?

Why would Satan want to get us used to disobeying our parents?
How can we treat others with love?

How can we help a classmate at school who may be hurting? 

Practical Application at Home

God gave us parents to help us make good choices in life and to learn more about God. We can learn lots of things from our parents, but we will need to listen carefully and do what they tell us to do. When we honor our parents we are also obeying God. We are following the plan He has for our lives by obeying our parents. We can show love to others around us by looking for ways to be kind and loving. 

When we are on a road trip we often send a postcard to show someone we love them and are thinking of them. It is a nice way to show others we love and care for them. Design your own postcard from your favorite place or a place you wish you could visit. On the back side of your card write a note to a special loved one who could enjoy an encouraging card. 

Additional Resources

Outings to Reinforce Lesson

Donate to a local food shelter or toy drive this Christmas season. As a family, volunteer together or pick out toys you think another child your age might enjoy.