- What does it mean to be obedient? (Students may say obedience is doing what someone else says, complying with an order, or following instructions.)
- Think of a time when you were obedient. What happened? (Answers will vary. Students may talk about obeying a parent, a coach, or a teacher.)
Listen to this definition of obedience: “Willing to do as told by someone in authority: willing to obey.” Being able to submit to authority and follow orders are important qualities for students, employees, and people in general.
Let’s watch a video about obedience in action.
Share the following video [1:52]:
Hilarious Golden Retriever Really Wants to Race But … First Things First —
- What did the first two dogs do in the competition? (Students may say the first two dogs obeyed their masters and did not get sidetracked by treats or toys.)
- What did Golden Retriever do? (Students may say the retriever was not obedient. He got distracted by what he wanted—treats and toys—and ignored his master. He lost the competition.)
- Have you ever felt like the third dog, distracted from obedience by your own desires? (Allow students to discuss and share a few personal experiences; be prepared to share your own age-appropriate experiences.)
A dog’s obedience is based on good training, its breed, the master’s control, and the individual temperament of the dog. But our obedience as humans can have many different motivations, including fear, respect for authority, and a desire for peace. Jesus set an example of extreme obedience. Let’s look at what the Bible shows us about His humility and obedience.
Additional Resources:
Kids definition of obedience
