"Obey Your Parents" Object Lesson

The circle of blessing is a fun way to illustrate the promise God makes to children in the 5th commandment. Use this for a fun children’s sermon on mother’s day or father’s day (or in any lesson on the 5th commandment. 

Supplies Needed:

• Circle of about 3ft diameter. I used a piece of rope attached to the floor with masking tape. A large hula-hoop would also work.
• Squirt-gun or plastic spray bottle. You could use a sports whistle to add optional emphasis.

Main Idea: The Bible promises protection for those who honor their parents. This concept can be demonstrated as a circle of blessing.

Scripture Reference: Ephesians 6:1-3  or Exodus 20:12

Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you.

Exodus 20:12 New International Version (NIV)

Circle of Blessing Object Lesson: Invite a child to come up to the front of the room. Have them stand inside an imaginary circle of about 3ft diameter. Then say:

This is the circle of blessing. It’s a way to imagine the way obedience keeps us out of danger. Just like our Bible verse says, God will watch over us while we obey our parents. To move outside the circle is like disobeying. Moving outside the circle brings danger.

At this point surprise the child by showing them a squirt-gun (or water bottle that sprays a mist) that you previously had hidden. Tell them as long as they are in the circle they are safe, but outside the circle they are in danger. Demonstrate by shooting a jet of water outside the circle. Then ask the child to step outside the circle to the spot you just shot. Then give them a short blast of water. Then say:

When we obey our parents it’s like staying inside the circle, God will keep us safe. But when we disobey it is like stepping outside the circle. When we do that we cause bad things to happen to our lives.

Bible Verse on Obeying Your Parents

Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. ² “Honor your father and mother”—which is the first commandment with a promise—³ “so that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.”

Ephesians 6:1-3 New International Version (NIV)

Hint: Be sure to pick children who won’t be upset by getting a little wet. I even ask the volunteer if they will cry when they get sprayed. Obviously, this should be a silly activity and fun for all the children involved.

If you enjoyed this, be sure to check out our obey your parents Bible lesson that teaches this concept of the circle of blessing. You can print off several story scripts for acting out this object lesson.