Teaching Children Obedience

GEORGIA SELBY DAVIS

MRS. EDDY writes in "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" (p. 62), "The entire education of children should be such as to form habits of obedience to the moral and spiritual law." Paul writes, "Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well pleasing unto the Lord." How important it is, then, that pupils in our Sunday schools should be taught the love of law and the joy of obedience! If a child is taught that law is his friend, operating to bring him joy, happiness, and good, he will learn to respect law and be obedient thereto, not from fear of punishment, but from love of righteous law.

In her address entitled "Obedience" in "Miscellaneous Writings" our Leader says (p. 116), "Obeying the divine Principle which you profess to understand and love, demonstrates Truth." On the next page she says, "Obedience is the offspring of Love; and Love is the Principle of unity, the basis of all right thinking and acting; it fulfils the law." While the children are being instructed in the necessity for loving obedience, they are thereby being taught how to overcome the mortal beliefs which are the enemies of true success and happiness.

Once in Sunday school, when the little ones were becoming restless, a teacher lifted her thought in prayer for guidance. Then she talked to them of the meaning of obedience. For illustration, she asked the children to see how quickly they could do what they were told to do, as she gave the command to stand, turn around, sit, fold hands. The response was quick and joyous. The children caught the spirit of obedience and were happy in learning it.

On succeeding Sundays, with the motive of emphasizing the importance of the love of law and obedience, the Ten Commandments were presented as guides to help us experience good and happiness. Many of the children's everyday experiences were cited as illustrations; and experiences of children mentioned in the Bible were also related, the protection of the infant Moses being noted as showing God's loving protection. The story of Moses' life, illustrating his obedience to God, obedience which prepared him to receive the Ten Commandments and give them to mankind, was so unfolded as to show that these Commandments are the voice of God leading us to all good. Then followed references to the boyhood of Joseph, Samuel, David, Jesus. These and other illustrations, while acquainting the pupils with the Scriptures, inspired them with the spirit of loving obedience to the Ten Commandments. The result was noticeable in greatly improved conduct and attention during the time of teachings.

A stern "Thou shalt not" often seems to arouse resistance; and a mistaken way of presenting these important Commandments may arouse defiance, instead of love of law. The Ten Commandments may be regarded as signposts along the journey from sense to Soul, directing mankind in the way of harmony, heaven. They are proofs of the love and wisdom of our Father-Mother God; and this fact should be conveyed to our Sunday school pupils.

The demonstrations of Christ Jesus are the world's greatest examples of the power of loving obedience to God, divine Principle. He said, "I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me." He also said, "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."

The Psalmist said, "O how love I thy law! it is my meditation all the day." This conscious love of law is what has to be awakened in our Sunday school pupils.

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