"Obey”

Big Idea

Obey all the way.

Schedule

1. Small Groups: Nursery rhyme activity (5 min)

2. Big Group: Lesson (20 min)

3. Verse Activity:  Board game activity (5 min)

3. Small Groups: Puzzle activity (10-15 min)

Materials Needed

1. Lesson Resource: Nursery Rhymes (printed and cut)   2. Scrap paper and pencils
3. Small children's board puzzle (25 pcs. or less)

Before Big Group

1. Explain the following, writing the big idea below on the chalk/wipe board:

    The big idea for today is "Obey all the way." We'll find out more about what this means in big group time.

2. Explain the following:

    First we're going to look at what it's like when we only do things half way. A few of you will get a chance to read a nursery rhyme to everyone else. However, there is one thing wrong with these nursery rhymes. Half of their words are missing. After one of you finishes reading a nursery rhyme, we'll let the rest of you try to guess which nursery rhyme was being.

    Give one child one of the nursery rhymes from Lesson Resource: Nursery Rhymes. Have her read the first part of the rhyme (the section with half the words missing). When she is finished, let the other children guess which nursery rhyme she was reading. After the children have guessed, have her read the full nursery rhyme.

    Repeat for all the nursery rhymes on the sheet, using a different child each time.

3. If you have time, give each child a piece of scrap paper. Instruct them to write their first, middle, and last name at the top of the paper. When finished, instruct them to write their name again, this time skipping every other letter. Have them try to pronounce their "new" names.    

After Big Group

1. Explain the following:

    Our big idea for today is "Obey all the way." God doesn't just want us to say that we'll obey him. He wants us to do exactly as he says.

2. Lay the puzzle pieces on the table with the plain, unprinted side up. Explain the following:
    God doesn't want us to pick and choose which of his rules to follow. He wants us to obey everything he's told us to do, to obey all the way. Just like this puzzle wouldn't be finished until all the pieces are put together, we aren't a finished follower of Jesus until we obey everything God's asked us to do.
    What are some things that God has asked us to do?
    As the children answer the above question (ex. tell the truth, pray, etc.), write their answers on a piece of the puzzle. If the children run out of responses, have them think of specific things they could do to obey God (ex. clean my room, study hard at school, etc).
    When all the pieces are written on, have the group assemble the puzzle together.

3. Hand each child a journal page. Have them fill it out, writing down the big idea “Obey all the way” and how they can use it in their life (Examples: When I say I'll clean my room, I'll actually do it.) Place the page in their journal binder.