The Choice
Items Needed:
- Two index cards for each child
- Markers
Help each child write YES on one card and NO on the other. Help them think about the choices they make. For one whole day, ask them to use the cards to answer when you ask them to do something—remembering that they are saying YES or NO to God. (If your children can’t read, draw a green check mark for YES and a red X for NO.)
God is in charge of the universe, but He gives each person a free will—each one can choose whether to say YES or NO to God.
God is pleased when we say YES to His ways. Even though we have a choice, there are consequences when we choose the wrong way and say NO to God.
Ask:
What are some consequences if we say NO? (We will be punished; we will feel guilty; we might get hurt; etc.)
God knows what is right for us—it is always best to go His way!
Red Light, Green Light
- Red – Stop and Think.
- Yellow – Consider the Choices and Consequences.
- Green – Go God’s Way.
As you are driving, think up different situations and go through the steps with your children.
For example: You want to go to a friend’s house, but you’re supposed to walk the dog.
- Stop and Think.
Instead of running out the door and doing what you want, stop and think about what you are doing.
- Consider the Choices and Consequences.
1. You could forget about the dog and then your dog might have an accident and then your parents would be upset because you didn’t do your chore.
2. You could walk the dog and then go to a friend’s house, and everyone will be happier – you, the dog, and your parents.
- Go God’s Way
What do you think God would want? He would want you to obey your parents and choose to do what’s right.
It is always better to think about our choices and choose God’s way.
To Obey or Disobey
Make up a continuing story about obedience and disobedience. Read one of the story starters below (or come up with your own) and give a coin to one child, who will flip it to find out if the main character obeys or disobeys (heads for obey and tails for disobey). After he or she has added a few sentences to the story, pass the coin to another child, who will flip it and add a few sentences. Continue until the story is complete. The stories can be serious or silly or both!
Story starters:
- Matthew made a gigantic mess in the kitchen. His mom left him in charge of Saturday morning breakfast while she ran an errand. “Tidy up and I’ll take you to the batting cage when I get back,” she said. Just as Matthew put away the milk, he was distracted by…
- Chelsea’s teacher ran to the principal’s office. “Stay in your seats and finish your assignment,” she announced. Just as she walked out the door, Chelsea saw a snake slither out of the teacher’s desk.
- “Don’t ride your bike past the stop sign on the corner,” Andrew’s dad told him. While Andrew was riding his bicycle with his best friend, they saw a giant elephant run down the street – past the stop sign.
God’s Word is full of examples of people who disobeyed God and suffered the consequences. Let’s learn from their mistakes! Every choice – both obedience and disobedience matters.