Ephesians 6:1-3; obey parents and teachers in the Lord (4.3).
📖 7 min read · 3 worked examples · 5 practice questions
Can anyone tell me what they think obedience means? Obedience means listening and doing what we are told by people who are in charge of us — like your parents, your teachers, or your elders. For example, when your mother asks you to fetch water or help with the dishes, doing it without complaining is obedience. Here are some examples from everyday life. Obeying parents when they ask you to do chores around the house. Also obeying your teacher in class — like raising your hand before speaking or following instructions during a lesson. These are all ways we show obedience. Why is it important to obey? When we obey, we show respect and love for the people who care for us. It also helps us live peacefully with others. In our Kenyan homes, obedience is a way of honoring our parents and elders. The Bible also talks about obedience. In Ephesians chapter 6, verses 1 to 3, it says: 'Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. Honor your father and mother — which is the first commandment with a promise — so that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.' That means God is happy when we obey, and He promises to bless us. Today we have learned: obedience is listening and doing what we are told, it shows respect, and God's Word encourages us to obey our parents. Let's share some thoughts with each other.
A very special verse from the Bible. It is found in the book of Ephesians, chapter 6, verses 1 to 3. This verse tells children how to live in a way that pleases God. Listen carefully: 'Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.' That means God wants you to listen to your mum and dad because it is the right thing to do. Just like when your parents tell you to do your homework or help at home, obeying them shows respect and love. God gives a wonderful promise for children who obey their parents. He says He will bless you and give you a long life. That is a big reward! In Kenya, we often hear our elders say, 'Respect your parents and you will be blessed.' This verse shows that God's Word agrees with that wisdom. Remember: obeying your parents and teachers is part of following God's good plan for your life. When you obey, you honor God and receive His blessing.
The Bible gives us a clear command in Ephesians 6:1-3. It says, 'Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.' And it promises that if we honor our father and mother, things will go well for us. Obeying is not just a rule—it is a blessing from God. One way we can obey at home is by helping with housework. In Kenyan homes, children often help by sweeping the compound, washing dishes after meals, or fetching water. When your parents ask you to do a chore, obeying shows them you care and respect them. It also helps the whole family. Another important part of obedience is managing your time well. Coming home on time from playing with friends shows that you honor your parents' rules. Doing homework before playing teaches responsibility. Think about it—when you finish your homework first, you can enjoy your free time without worrying. The third way is listening to your parents' advice and instructions. Parents have experience and they guide us to make good choices. For example, if your father tells you to stay away from a busy road, it's for your safety. Listening and following their advice is a sign of respect and wisdom. Today we have learned three practical ways to obey at home: helping with housework, coming home on time and doing homework first, and listening to parents' advice. Remember, obeying is not just about rules—it's about showing love and honor. God is pleased when we obey our parents.
You already know that at home we obey our parents. At school, God wants us to show the same respect to our teachers. Our Bible verse from Ephesians 6:1-3 says, "Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right." And this same heart of obedience applies to our teachers too. First, raise your hand before speaking. In class, when you want to answer a question or ask something, raise your hand. That shows you respect your teacher and your classmates. Second, follow instructions carefully. When your teacher says, "Take out your book," or "Work in groups," obey quickly and quietly. This makes the classroom a peaceful place for everyone to learn. Here is a very important reminder. Obeying your teacher shows respect and also keeps you safe. Think about your school rules — like walking in line, or asking permission to go to the bathroom. These rules are not there to make things hard for you. They are there to protect you. Even the prefects and senior students are there to help you follow these rules. Let's all try our best to obey, just like God asks us to.
A story about a girl named Nyambura who had to choose between homework and play. In this story, Nyambura's mother asked her to finish her homework before going out to play. Nyambura chose to obey. She completed her homework and felt very proud of herself. Her mother was happy too. The lesson is clear: obedience brings peace and blessing. When we obey our parents, we are also obeying God. This pleases God and He blesses us.
Worked Example 2: Listening to the Teacher. This is a story about a boy named Kamau. In the story, the teacher tells the whole class to stay seated and work quietly. Kamau listens carefully and obeys. He finishes his work on time, and the teacher praises him for being obedient. How do you think Kamau felt when he was praised? The lesson from this story is simple: obeying teachers helps us learn and succeed. When we obey, we create a good learning environment and we earn respect. Kamau's example shows us that obedience leads to good results. Remember, just like Kamau, choose to obey your teachers. It will help you learn better and grow. Done, class!
Class, let's look at another story — our third worked example for today. This one is called 'Obeying Even When It's Hard.' Sometimes obeying is easy, but what about when it's really, really hard? Let's find out. First, here's the problem. Meet Odhiambo. He's at school, and a bigger child tries to take his snack. What would you do if someone tried to take your snack? Some of us might want to fight back, right? Odhiambo's father had taught him something important — no fighting. What did Odhiambo do? He remembered his father's teaching. Even though it was hard, even though that bigger kid was being mean, he chose to walk away instead of fighting. He obeyed his father even when obeying was tough. Here's the lesson. Obedience sometimes needs courage and trust in God. It's not always easy to do the right thing, but when we obey God and our parents, we are showing love and wisdom. Even when it costs us something — like a snack — God sees our obedience and is pleased. The Bible says in Ephesians 6:1-3: 'Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. Honor your father and mother — which is the first commandment with a promise — so that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.' What does this mean? It means when we obey, God promises to bless us. Not always with snacks or money, but with a good life and peace in our hearts. Here's a question for you to think about: When is it hardest for you to obey? Maybe when you're tired, or when no one is watching, or when it means giving up something you want. Remember Odhiambo — he chose to obey even when it was hard, and God honored that.
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