Memory Verse

“Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.” Ephesians 6:1

Older kids can memorize Ephesians 6:1-3.

Day 1-Intro

• Pray.
• Look up the memory verse.
• Read it aloud then have the kids repeat it a few times after you.
• Older kids can write it down and children who are learning to write can trace the verse.
• Come up with motions or put the verse to a song (try it to the tune of “Down by the Bay”).
• Talk about what it means to obey. Ask your kids what it means to obey. Ask them when they should obey. I once heard someone on a podcast say that she told her kids they should obey, “all the way, right away, and with a happy heart.”
• What else does this verse say about obediece? When we obey our parents who are we also obeying?
• Talk with kids how God placed parents in authority over them, and obeying parents is right because that is how He designed it to be and it is what is required.
• Read Exodus 20:12 (one of the 10 Commandments).
• Discuss verses 2-3 with older kids. Note the promise in verse 3, “so that it may be well with you”. What would the opposite of that be if you do not honor your father and mother?
• For the next few weeks, we will be reading about Abraham’s family.
• For today, ask your kids questions about your family. What do they love? What is difficult? What does your family do well? What do they think could to be better? Parents can answer these questions too.
• Discuss how Abraham’s family wasn’t perfect, but God chose His family to carry out His plan to save the world.
• Pray, thanking God for family.
• Activities:
  • Younger kids-consider making a sticker chart for them. Just put their name at the top and every time you notice your child obeying, have him/her put a sticker on the chart.
  • Have kids make a family tree. Older kids can get very detailed, younger kids may just extend to the grandparents. You can write the names, draw or cut out pictures, etc. There are even templates you can print.