eKidz Devotional: All About RespectSample

Authority

You’ve waited all summer for your family vacation to Disney World. You’re beyond excited for this trip — you’ve dreamed about it, told all of your friends about it, and planned everything out.

You’ve packed all of your favorite snacks, your Nintendo Switch, and headphones. Then your dad sits you down to tell you he wanted to try something new — no electronics on the car trip.

The whole family will be listening to a family audio book while you travel.

You're crushed! You don’t agree with your dad’s traveling plan. You feel like it’s going to be a long, boring, and exhausting car ride. How do you respond to these rules? 

Do you speak out in protest, get angry, or roll your eyes? Or, do you respect your dad’s authority and remove the Nintendo Switch and headphones from your bag? 

How you respond to your dad’s rules shows if you respect his authority. 

“Respect” is caring enough to consider how your words and actions impact others. Matthew 5:16 says, “In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.”

When we respect others through our words and actions, we shine God’s light for all to see. 

Ask yourself: Who is someone who has authority over you? How can you show respect to them, even if you disagree with them? 

Challenge yourself: Commit Matthew 5:16 to memory. As we learn what the Bible says, it helps us shine our light in difficult situations and respect authority even when it’s hard.   

Pray: God, thank You for giving us the Bible so we can learn Your truth. Help me to respect those You have placed in authority over me even when it’s hard. In Jesus’ name, amen.

During the first episode of “The Lost Tales: Volume 1,” the StarKeepers learn how to respect authority — check out this audio clip.