Teaching obedience doesn’t have to be a challenge—make it fun and meaningful! On this page, you’ll find Bible-based stories, activities, and crafts that help children understand the importance of listening and following directions with a joyful heart. Explore creative ways to encourage obedience while building a strong foundation in faith.
Definition: Doing what you are told, right away, and with a happy heart without being reminded.
Opposite: Defiant, rebelling
Bible Story: Shadrach, Meshach, & Abednego
Objective: Obedience to God no matter what
Scripture: Daniel 3
The Beginner's Bible: pg 247
My Story Bible: pg 54-55
Through the Bible in Felt: pg 139-140
Bible Story: Jonah
Scripture: Jonah 1:1-3:10
The New Bible in Pictures for Little Eyes: pg 224-229
The Beginner's Bible: pg 257-264
My Story Bible: pg 52-53
Through the Bible in Felt: pg 176-177
Mrs. Rosey Posey and the Fine China Plate - Part of the "I Can Read with Help" series, learn how parents set rules to help you stay away from sin.
God, I Need to Talk to You About Laziness
Big Thoughts for Little People: Letter M
James 1:22 (NLT) - But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says.
Tune: London Bridges
Don't just listen to God's Word. (shake head, point to ear, make book with hands)
To God's Word, to God's Word.
You must do-- what it says. (point, shout "What is says")
James one twenty-two. (make book with hands, one finger, two fingers)
Joshua 24:24
And the people said to Joshua, “We will serve the Lord our God and obey him.”
Jeremiah 7:23
But I gave them this command: Obey me, and I will be your God and you will be my people. Walk in obedience to all I command you, that it may go well with you.
Jeremiah 42:6
Whether it is favorable or unfavorable, we will obey the Lord our God, to whom we are sending you, so that it will go well with us, for we will obey the Lord our God.”
Colossians 3:20
Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord.
Hebrews 13:17
Have confidence in your leaders and submit to their authority, because they keep watch over you as those who must give an account. Do this so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no benefit to you.
Do you desire to parent or teach children the way that God desires? Watch this 3-part series to acquire the tools to build a solid foundation of biblical discipline for your family or classroom.
Trust and Obey Traditional
Trust and obey (march in place and then salute)
For there's no other way (cross arms in front of body)
To be happy in Jesus (move fingers to make happy smile at mouth)
But to trust and obey (march in place and then salute)
When God Says Obey
Tune of "If You're Happy and Your Know It"
When God says obey, say "Yes, Sir!" (Yes, Sir)
When God says obey, say "Yes, Sir!" (Yes, Sir)
When God says obey just do it right away
When God says obey, say "Yes, Sir!" (Yes, Sir)
Patch the Pirate “ Kidnapped on I-Land ” CD - The story is about a boy names Silas who wants what he wants! Being selfish, Silas takes a trip to I-Land where he learns firsthand about Jesus' unselfish love. This CD is for elementary-age children.
Introduce your preschoolers to the God's love with our fun and engaging Old Testament Curriculum. Filled with interactive Bible stories, play-based activities, and learning crafts, this Curriculum brings the teachings of the Old Testament to life in a way young children will understand and enjoy.
I Will Obey
Extend the lesson of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego with this engaging craft! Paint "flames" on a piece of paper using red, orange, and yellow paint, then add a touch of blue at the top. Finish by adding the title, "I Will Obey."
Make Fiery Crayons
Gather old red, yellow, and orange crayons. Remove the paper and break the crayons into small pieces. Fill muffin tin cups halfway full of a mixture of the broken crayons. Place the crayons in a 250 degree oven and wait. Because various brands of crayons are made of different ingredients, melting times will vary. Once the crayons are totally melted, remove the tin from the oven. Use a toothpick to swirl the colors together and then allow the crayons to cool. The crayon material contracts as it gets cold making the new crayons easy to pop out of the muffin tin. Read more ...
I Will O-O-Obey!
Print the black and white I Will Obey" poster. Color or paint. Then glue on "O's" - fruit loops or Cheerios. Discuss how Noah, Shadrach, Meshach, Abednego, or other Bible characters obeyed with God's help.
Beautiful Feet
Paint the bottom of the child's feet. On a large piece of paper have the child create foot prints. Add the title, "Beautiful Feet." Discuss how our feet are beautiful when they are walking in obedience.
The Wise Owl Craft
Talk about how owls are often seen as wise animals, and explain that we want to be wise by obeying God.
Print the Wise Owl activity sheet. Color or paint the owl, and if you'd like, add feathers and a stick for extra fun!
Happy and Sad Faces
Glue two circles onto two craft sticks - one with a happy face and one with a sad face. Give various scenarios and have the child decide whether the situation demonstrates a good or bad choice. Show the happy face for "good choices" and the sad face for "bad choices." Explain that Jesus is happy when we obey. It makes Jesus sad when we choose to not obey. Allow the child to create his own scenarios.
Simon Says
Play "Simon Says" to coincide with the obedience theme.
Red Light, Yellow Light, Green Light
Use the following signs for each word:
Stop - hold arm straight out in front with palm lifted
Wait - wiggle all fingers out in front
Go - move one arm across the front of the body
Obedience Roll Play
Create a scenario and ask the child to choose whether it is best to stop, wait, or go. Have the child "tell" you with hand motions rather than her voice. Focus on activities that involve obedience and respect.
- Walking to a curb on a busy street (stop)
- Needing a drink at the water fountain but others are already in line (wait)
- You mom tells you to come and help set the table (go)
Mother May I?
Play "Mother May I?" to practice obedience. Choose one player to be the "mother/father." Line the rest of the players arm-length apart on the opposite side of the room. The children will take turns asking "Mother/Father, may I ____?". For example, "Mother/Father, may I take five steps forward?" The mother/father either replies "Yes, you may" or "No, you may not do that, but you may _____ instead" and inserts his/her own suggestion. The players usually move closer to the mother/father but are sometimes led further away. Even if the mother/father makes an unfavorable suggestion, the child must still perform it. The first player to reach the location of the mother/father wins the game. Following the game, discuss how it is hard to do something we don't want to do. But by obeying and doing it right away we show our parents and God that we love them.
Free ABCJLM Parenting Playlist on YouTube
Purchase the popular ABCJLM Biblical Discipline Video Series
Parenting to Impress Blog Posts on Obedience:How to Get Your Child to Pick Up Toys
What Rules Should I Have in my Home?
The Key to Effective Discipline
Are You on the Best Parenting Path?
Is First-Time Obedience Important?
Are You Raising a Selfish Child?
