Wednesday Wisdom – Obey

Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord - Colossians 3:20

obey2 One of the Sunday school teachers at my church gave her students pennies as part of the assignment. She quickly realized that pennies and young children don’t mix. The kids were sticking them in their mouths, flipping them in the air, and snatching them from each other. The teacher asked the kids to place the pennies in their pockets or hold them in their hands until class was over. The kids completely ignored her and continued with their tomfoolery. Fed up, she gathered the children together and explained to them that they had to obey. The children stood with bewildered looks on their faces. The teacher quickly realized that these children were unfamiliar with the concept of obey. When she defined the word, some of the children asked, “Why should we obey you?”

Obey.

That word seems to have negative connotations in our society. It conjures up images of a harsh, whip-wielding taskmaster. Therefore, we rarely hear it used. “You will obey” has given way to “please do what mommy/daddy asked.”

My wife used to give our kids to the count of three to do what she told them to do. I informed her that she was essentially giving them permission to disobey her. The kids knew that they always had an extra three seconds to comply. Our kids now understand that they must immediately obey when mommy or daddy give a command or else there will be consequences.

We all know that the word obey was removed from marriage vows. That made sense because marriage needs to be a partnership. But parents, we cannot afford to strip this word from our vocabulary. It is our responsibility to ensure that our children understand the importance of obeying. If children they don’t learn how to obey their parents, they will encounter trouble when they enter other areas where they will be expected to obey such as school and work.

Many young men have been shot by police officers because their failed to obey the officer’s directions. Many other people have been fired from their jobs because they didn’t want to obey their bosses. Learning to obey is important. Teaching children to obey is Parenting 101.

When I picked up my daughter from class, I was proud to see that her penny was securely in her hand exactly where the teacher told her to keep it. I commended her on her willingness to obey.

Stay Strong,
Mocha Dad

Question: How do you feel when you see children disobeying their parents?

Popularity: 2% [?]

Tagged as: children, daughter, marriage vows, obey, parent, sunday school, teacher

http://www.momfiles.com Sheliza

I am a big believer in obeying your parents/teachers/elders. I grew up old school and there were no choices, you simply did as you were told. I cringe when I see diobedience from a child to a parent but if the parent allows this to happen then it is hard to reverse. I feel like once children are given several ‘chances’ and they see they can get away with things then they are less obedient. Parents must always enforce rules. PERIOD. Stay Strong Mocha Dad
http://www.momfiles.com Sheliza

I am a big believer in obeying your parents/teachers/elders. I grew up old school and there were no choices, you simply did as you were told. I cringe when I see diobedience from a child to a parent but if the parent allows this to happen then it is hard to reverse. I feel like once children are given several ‘chances’ and they see they can get away with things then they are less obedient. Parents must always enforce rules. PERIOD. Stay Strong Mocha Dad
http://dearmisterman.wordpress.com Mr. Man

Teaching children to obey is paramount to their faith walk and their lives on earth. We fail as parents when we allow our children to disobey. We fail in the eyes of God and in the lives of our children. Teaching obedience should not an ego trip or a power play, but must be treated with responsibility and the care God intended. All parents, but fathers in particular, should heed this particular scripture to the letter.

When it comes to teaching our children to obey, we cannot afford not to…

Man up.

Mr. Man
http://dearmisterman.wordpress.com Mr. Man

Teaching children to obey is paramount to their faith walk and their lives on earth. We fail as parents when we allow our children to disobey. We fail in the eyes of God and in the lives of our children. Teaching obedience should not an ego trip or a power play, but must be treated with responsibility and the care God intended. All parents, but fathers in particular, should heed this particular scripture to the letter.

When it comes to teaching our children to obey, we cannot afford not to…

Man up.

Mr. Man
http://knowyourteeth.blogspot.com/ The Dental Maven

What a great post. Good parenting is in need of a bailout in this country. It all starts there.
http://knowyourteeth.blogspot.com/ The Dental Maven

What a great post. Good parenting is in need of a bailout in this country. It all starts there.
http://www.askwifey.blogspot.com Wifey

Can I just say, AMEN! This is so true and so right on time for me. I 100 percent agree and am working on changing MY behavior to ensure that my children 100 percent obey. If I demand it – it’ll happen. Great post.
http://www.askwifey.blogspot.com Wifey

Can I just say, AMEN! This is so true and so right on time for me. I 100 percent agree and am working on changing MY behavior to ensure that my children 100 percent obey. If I demand it – it’ll happen. Great post.
http://therealginger.com Ginger

It’s funny how when we’re in church (or at least when I’m in church) and my Pastor is preaching on a popular topic like prosperity, the church is full of Amen’s and Praise the Lord’s. But when the sermon is about obedience, you can hear a pin drop. On the rug.
It starts with us.

Thanks for the post–it is well needed!
http://therealginger.com Ginger

It’s funny how when we’re in church (or at least when I’m in church) and my Pastor is preaching on a popular topic like prosperity, the church is full of Amen’s and Praise the Lord’s. But when the sermon is about obedience, you can hear a pin drop. On the rug.
It starts with us.

Thanks for the post–it is well needed!
http://www.buildingcamelot.com Tyler @ Building Camelot

We struggle with this what seems like all the time. Our daughter is almost 3 1/2 and she obeys for the most part but she always seems to know when she can start acting up. She has become more defiant ever since her little sister was born and to be honest, wife and I are too damn tired to care sometimes.

I know that’s bad but it’s the truth. But, we’ve become pretty good at trying to hedge off some situations where we know a meltdown is highly possible.
http://www.buildingcamelot.com Tyler @ Building Camelot

We struggle with this what seems like all the time. Our daughter is almost 3 1/2 and she obeys for the most part but she always seems to know when she can start acting up. She has become more defiant ever since her little sister was born and to be honest, wife and I are too damn tired to care sometimes.

I know that’s bad but it’s the truth. But, we’ve become pretty good at trying to hedge off some situations where we know a meltdown is highly possible.
http://ebonymommy.com/blog Yolanda

Excellent lesson! Unfortunately too many children want to talk back or explain instead of simply obeying what they are instructed to do. This is so important for them to learn young and keep learning throughout their lives (young black men and the police is an example I take to heart).
http://ebonymommy.com/blog Yolanda

Excellent lesson! Unfortunately too many children want to talk back or explain instead of simply obeying what they are instructed to do. This is so important for them to learn young and keep learning throughout their lives (young black men and the police is an example I take to heart).
http://fatherdad.com Keith

I’ve never really thought about the act of obeying this deeply. Very interesting in this context. Of course as a parent I enforce this idea in the parent/child relationship. I also support the idea in school and with most adults. My only thing is that I tend to question authority if I think that my questioning it will benefit myself or the larger community. As an adult I try to not blindly obey. There is a place, however small, for disobedience in this world. I suppose it’s very black and white with kids, and shades of gray with adults.
http://fatherdad.com Keith

I’ve never really thought about the act of obeying this deeply. Very interesting in this context. Of course as a parent I enforce this idea in the parent/child relationship. I also support the idea in school and with most adults. My only thing is that I tend to question authority if I think that my questioning it will benefit myself or the larger community. As an adult I try to not blindly obey. There is a place, however small, for disobedience in this world. I suppose it’s very black and white with kids, and shades of gray with adults.
http://snowbrush.blogspot.com/ snowbrush

“My wife used to give our kids to the count of three to do what she told them to do.”

We never had kids, but my wife does this with our blue heeler when it’s time to put away the dog’s toy. The heeler just uses the time to dig in for a spirited game of tug-of-way, which is exactly what happens.
http://snowbrush.blogspot.com/ snowbrush

“My wife used to give our kids to the count of three to do what she told them to do.”

We never had kids, but my wife does this with our blue heeler when it’s time to put away the dog’s toy. The heeler just uses the time to dig in for a spirited game of tug-of-way, which is exactly what happens.
http://moldingyoungminds.wordpress.com Ms. H

Thanks for stopping by my little corner of the internet…..I’m always excited to meet new people! (Especially when they have great stories to tell about their incredibly cute kiddos!!)

I could not agree with this post more. Many students at Uberschool seem to believe they don’t have to obey grown-ups — a concept which is completely beyond me. Can you imagine what my mother would have done to me if I had disobeyed a grown-up?! Oiy vey!!

Sadly, many of our students have been repeatedly disappointed by grown-ups in positions of authority, and feel this makes it okay to disobey and disrespect ANY grown-up. (But do you think they are going to change their mind simply because I tell them to? UmmmmNope!) I shudder to consider the impact this will have on them when they transition to the “real world”. All I can hope is that they figure out how to “play the game” so they can stay gainfully employed.
http://moldingyoungminds.wordpress.com Ms. H

Thanks for stopping by my little corner of the internet…..I’m always excited to meet new people! (Especially when they have great stories to tell about their incredibly cute kiddos!!)

I could not agree with this post more. Many students at Uberschool seem to believe they don’t have to obey grown-ups — a concept which is completely beyond me. Can you imagine what my mother would have done to me if I had disobeyed a grown-up?! Oiy vey!!

Sadly, many of our students have been repeatedly disappointed by grown-ups in positions of authority, and feel this makes it okay to disobey and disrespect ANY grown-up. (But do you think they are going to change their mind simply because I tell them to? UmmmmNope!) I shudder to consider the impact this will have on them when they transition to the “real world”. All I can hope is that they figure out how to “play the game” so they can stay gainfully employed.
gunjan

This is nice but you just write an article on obeying teachers.
gunjan

This is nice but you just write an article on obeying teachers.
Anonymous

Obey is still part of my marriage vows. The Bible says “Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord.” Ephesians 5:22. I think wives should honor and obey their husbands. Husbands should in turn love their wives so much that she has no problem fulfilling this.
Anonymous

Obey is still part of my marriage vows. The Bible says “Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord.” Ephesians 5:22. I think wives should honor and obey their husbands. Husbands should in turn love their wives so much that she has no problem fulfilling this.