Rules are Good!
Play a familiar game and announce there are no rules. Each person can do what they want on their turn. (You could also play an outside game such a kickball or baseball.) After a few minutes of confusing play (and before the fights start), sit down and talk about why it’s good to have rules.
Rules help us know what to do. We don’t argue as much when we follow rules, and things go much smoother too. Rules help us get along with others.
God gives us rules in the Bible because He made us and knows the best way for us to live. He wants to protect us from bad consequences that come when we don’t follow the rules. He cares about us, and He wants to help us care for others too.
Read 1 Thessalonians 5:15–22. Why do you think these rules are good for us?
Why is it good to pray, rejoice, obey the Holy Spirit, and give thanks?
Following Good Examples
Instruct your child to learn a skill that you know, but they might not yet know.
Here are some ideas:
Stand on your head.
Eat an Oreo the “correct way.
Sew on a button.
Dribble a basketball.
Catch a fish.
Why is it good for someone to instruct/teach you? (He or she knows the best way to do it; he or she can show you when you don’t know what to do; he or she has done it before and is more experienced; etc.)
Why do we need instructions on how to live the right way? (We are learning the right things to do; we want our own selfish way; we need help; etc.)
How can we know how to live a godly life? (Read the Bible; follow Jesus’ example; etc.)
Paul told the believers in the church in Thessalonica to live peacefully with one another, to encourage and comfort others, to be patient, joyful, and thankful, and to pray all the time.
Choose one of these to work on this week!
Yummy Rules
Items Needed:
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1/2 cup milk or half & half
- 1/4 teaspoon vanilla
- 6 tablespoons rock salt (Coarse salt works best, but table salt will also work.)
- 1 pint-sized plastic food storage bag
- 1 gallon-sized plastic food storage bag
- Ice cubes
Make ice cream in a bag to show how good things can happen when we follow instructions. Follow the instructions together.
Instructions:
Fill the large bag half full of ice, and add the rock salt. Seal the bag.
Put milk, vanilla, and sugar into the small bag, and tightly seal it.
Place the small bag inside the large one, and seal it again carefully.
Shake until the mixture becomes ice cream. (about 5 minutes)
Wipe off the top of the small bag, then open it carefully. Enjoy!
Following rules is a wise choice that keeps us safe. God’s instructions for us are in the Bible. We can trust and obey His Word, because God knows what’s best for us, and He loves us and wants to protect us from hurt and consequences. Live for Him!