Obeying God First
This Week: Obeying God First
The challenge we face in communicating our commitment and passion for obeying God to our kids is not a new one, of course. It’s the same challenge the nation of Israel faced with each new generation. And we know they were not always successful. In fact, their record was pretty dismal. Human nature has not changed.
Part of the problem is that our kids have not shared in the experiences and hard-learned discoveries that brought us to our current level of commitment to God. This week, many students are likely distracted by warmer weather outside, wrapping up winter sports, getting deeper into spring sports, and an ever-growing network of digital “friends.” Some of them might even be studying.
God has laid it at our feet to get their attention and pass the spark on in a way that has the best chance to catch flame. Specifically, the goal is to get them to internalize their responsibility to obey Him first and above all.
We’ve drawn our talking points for the week from Deuteronomy 6:1-9. As you look for opportunities to fall into conversation with your teen this week, maybe a few of these questions will spur some constructive dialogue on the issue of owning their need to obey God.
Talking Points:
- [Make it clear that you’re not looking to scold or correct your student before asking this question:] Who in your life has the right to tell you what to do?
- In just a few years, you’ll be out on your own. Who do you think will have the right to tell you what to do then?
- Who do you think has the right to tell me [the parent] what to do?
- Where does the authority come from to give one person the right to tell another person what to do? Does the person being told always have to agree to it?
- Do you believe God has the right to tell everyone what to do, no matter what? Why or why not?
- What are the consequences of disobeying God?
- What are the benefits of obeying God?
- What are some of the things God tells you and me we must (or must not) do? Are His commands reasonable?
- If we obey God, does He owe us anything? Should we expect our lives to be easier? Should we expect not to suffer anything awful?
- Which is more important to God, that we love Him or obey Him? Do you think the two are connected? (See John 14:15.)
- What does it mean to you to love God with all of your heart, soul, and strength? Do you think it means to obey Him the best we can possibly do?
- God tells me [the parent] to make sure you know all about His commands to you and how important it is for you to follow them. How am I doing at that?
- How could I obey that command better? How could I improve in helping you to follow and obey God more closely?
- Imagine being a parent of someone your age; how would you make sure that he or she was learning to obey God first?
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