Read the following story with your child and discuss the questions at the end.
Andy's Desire . . . Right or Wrong?
Andy burst through the kitchen door. "Mom!" he cried with excitement, "Everyone is going to the movies, and Eric wants to know if I can come. I have some allowance money I can use. May I go Mom? PLEASE?"
"What movie is it?" his mother asked. Andy knew the question would come and he was ready for it. "Eric's parent's said they read about it, and they think it's okay for him to see it. You know how picky they are about movies."
His mom stopped and looked him in the eye... never a good sign. "What movie is it, Andy?" The minute she heard the title, a frown crossed her face. "I've read the reviews of that movie, Andy, and although it sounds like a good story, the characters use bad language, including using God's name as a swear word, and there is one scene that I don't think anyone should see, no matter how old they are. It puts stuff in your brain you will never be able to get out, Andy."
Andy was desperate. "You haven't even seen it, Mom. All the kids are going, and they will talk about it for weeks. They'll think I'm such a baby if I don't go. Their parents think it's okay," he paused, "How do you know that you're right and they're wrong?"
Her frown deepened and her eyebrows raised, a very bad sign. Much to Andy's surprise, however, she didn't get mad. Andy's mother replied, "What's really important here is what God says is right. What would God want you to do, Andy?"
What do you think God would want Andy to do? Why?
How do the Ten Commandments give Andy guidance as to what God wants him to do? (
Don't misuse God's name, honor your parents, don't steal, don't swear. The Bible also says we're not to put bad stuff in our heads.)
When God says something is wrong, why do you think He made that decision? Choose one answer.
- He wants to spoil our fun.
- He's trying to be mean.
- He wants to protect us from harm.
How would not going to the movie protect Andy? (
When you hear God's name misused a lot, it's easy to start doing it yourself; he could have nightmares; the memories of the bad stuff might stay in his head pushing out the good).
Read
John 14:21.
"He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is
that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father,
and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him."
Thinking through the Ten Commandments can teach us what God wants us to do, but after reading this verse, what should be our reason for wanting to do what is right? (t
o show our love for God and His Word)
The more we love God the more we want to obey His standards. If we focus on loving God and getting to know Him better, everything else falls into place. So the question is not, "What rules are you going to obey," but rather, "How much do you love God?"
WHY DOES THIS MATTER:
Because God is "Always Right," I can trust that His laws are not to make me miserable, but to help me experience the best life possible!
TAKING ACTION:
Thank God His standards are set up to protect us. If you're having a hard time choosing to do the right thing talk to God about it and ask for His help.
