FOLLOW GOD FIRST

Key Scriptures: Daniel 3:8-30; Acts 5:25-29; Philippians 4:13

BIBLE BASIS FOR TEACHERS

Daniel 3:8-30; Acts 5:25-29; Philippians 4:13
Its hard enough for kids to do the right thing when their friends are pressuring them, but what if its a leader who
asks a child to do the wrong thing? Use this lesson to help kids understand that even though God commands us to
obey our leaders, were also called to do the right thing no matter whos telling us what to do. Teach kids to obey God
above all else.
In Acts 5:25-29, Peter and the apostles were arrested for teaching about Jesus and brought before the high council.
Although this was a fairly common occurrence for the apostles, what was unusual about this event was the fact that
they had just been released from jail that morning. The high council was furious that the apostles ignored the councils orders and continued to preach. Peters response was this: We must obey God rather than any human authority. Even though Peter knew Jesus told his followers to respect earthly authorities, Peter also knew that when those
authorities chose to go against God, he would always choose to obey God. Use this passage to help kids understand
that even though God calls us to obey our leaders, we must obey God first.
In Daniel 3:8-30, Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, created an idol and demanded that everyone worship it. The
punishment for not worshipping the idol was death in a fiery furnace. Three Jewish men named Shadrach, Meshach,
and Abednego, who had been placed in charge of Babylon, refused to bow down to the idol. They were willing to trust
God and risk death before they would worship Nebuchadnezzars idol. Although this example is extreme, use this
passage to help kids talk about times its okay to obey God over their leaders.
The writer of Philippians 4:13 said, For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength. It can be tough
to stand up for God and disobey leaders if theyre going against what God says. Use this verse to encourage kids to
do the right thing when they know they have to obey God rather than their leaders.

THE LESSON AT A GLANCE

Lesson Sequence

What Kids Will Do

Supplies

(5 minutes)

Build relationships.

Christian music
music player
snacks

(10-15 minutes)

Play two games.

paper clips

(10 minutes)

Play a game that pressures them into doing wrong

things.

paper
pencils

(15 minutes)

Turn to the Bible to learn why we obey God over

leaders.

Bibles
pencils
copy of the Gods Law Is Above Mans
Law handout for each person

(10 minutes)

Report what they learned from the Bible passage

they studied.

paper
pencils

(5 minutes)

Pray with a partner.

OPENING
Play Christian music as kids enjoy snacks and friendship. Give kids this discussion starter as they eat. Say: Your job
is to discover who in our group has ever gotten in trouble for something they didnt do.

FOLLOW THE LEADER

Allow time, then ask willing kids to tell the whole group about getting in trouble for something they didnt do.
Say: Before we get started today, lets play Pass the Paper Clips, where you share unique experiences and
abilities.
Have kids form groups of five. Ask group members to sit in a circle. Give each person five paper clips. Explain that
group members are to try to collect paper clips by describing their unique experiences and abilities. For example, a
person might tell about winning a coloring contest at the age of 4, being able to wiggle his or her ears, or being able
to recite the books of the Bible backward. Remind kids that every activity they describe must be absolutely true. After
someone shares a unique activity or ability, each group member who hasnt done that activity or doesnt have that
ability must give that person one paper clip. Play until everyone has had a chance to name a few things.
Say: Now lets play Elbow Tag, which involves linking with a partner.
Have players find a partner, link elbows, and scatter around a large room or area. Choose one pair to unlink, and
explain that one player is It and should chase the other. They will run close to the others, weaving in and out among
the pairs. At any time, the player being chased may hook onto the free elbow of any other player. When the chased
player links elbows with someone, that persons partner must unlink elbows and run. It should then chase that
person. If a player is tagged before linking elbows with someone, the tables are turned. The one who was being
chased now becomes the chaser.

BIBLE STUDY INTRODUCTION

Say: Pressure! Weve all felt it. Someone asks us to do something we know we either cant or arent
supposed to do. Lets play a game that might pressure you into doing some things you know arent good
choices. Youve probably played Simon Says before, but were going to play it with a little twist. If Simon tells
you to do something thats nice, then do it. But if Simon tells you to do something you know isnt right, then
do the opposite.
Have everyone stand and play Simon Says, using commands such as Shake a neighbors hand, Raise your hands
and shout, Praise the Lord! or as simple as Put your hands on your knees. For the commands that arent right, use
commands such as Make a mean face at someone in the room, or Shout I dont like you! at a neighbor.
After a few minutes of play, stop and ask: What was it like to be asked to do things you knew werent right? How did
you determine what was right or wrong? How do you determine in daily life what is right or wrong?
Ask: Without mentioning names, describe a time a friend asked you to do something you knew was wrong.
What if it was a leader who asked you to do it? How do you think you might respond then?
With kids, make a list of some things friends might ask them to do that they know arent right. Have them put a mark
next to anything on the list that theyd do if their leader asked them to. Cross off anything that theyd never do no
matter who asked them to do it.
Say: Its hard enough to do the right thing when our friends are pressuring us to go along with them, but what
if its our leader who asks us to do the wrong thing? What are we supposed to do then? Today were going to
talk about, What if my leader asks me to do something wrong?

SMALL-GROUP BIBLE STUDY

Form groups of no more than four. Give each child a Gods Law Is Above Mans Law handout. Have groups
complete the Bible study in 15 minutes. Then bring groups back together.

FOLLOW THE LEADER

REPORTS
Have groups report what they learned in their Bible study using the following prompt:
As a group, come up with a newspaper headline and article to share what you learned today.

CLOSING
Say: With a partner, list three areas in your life where you need help in determining whats right. Pray for each
other.
Say: Sometimes we have to make choices, tough choices. God commands us to obey our leaders, but what
if they ask us to do something wrong? Peter and the apostles said it best when they said, We must obey
God rather than any human authority. This week stand up for whats right and obey God above all else. But
remember to do it respectfully; you may not fully understand what your leaders are asking you to do. Ask them
to help you understand because you feel that what theyre asking might be wrong. You can be different and ask
God to give you the courage to stand up for the right thing, no matter whos telling you what to do.
Give each child a copy of the Follow the Leader Parent Page to take home to his or her parents. Alternatively, send
the file to parents via email.

FOLLOW THE LEADER