Obedience isn’t a popular word in parenting circles right now. Culture says, “Let kids figure it out.” Or, “They’ll listen when they’re ready.”
The truth, if our kids don’t learn to obey us the first time, how will they learn to obey God the first time?
We’re not just training behavior. We’re training hearts to respond to the voice of the Father quickly, willingly, and completely.
Obedience Is a Heart Issue
John 14:15 says, “If you love me, keep my commands.” Jesus didn’t say, “If you love me, think about it for a while,” or “If you love me, negotiate.” Obedience is love in action.
When we train our kids to obey right away, we’re not demanding perfection. We’re teaching them that love and trust go hand-in-hand with obedience.
It’s not about control. It’s about cultivating a heart that says, “When God speaks, I respond.”
Delayed Obedience Is Disobedience
When God told Noah to build the ark, he didn’t wait until it started raining. When Jesus called Peter out of the boat, Peter didn’t wait until the storm calmed down.
Delayed obedience isn’t safer. It’s more dangerous. Delayed obedience is disobedience. The longer we wait, the more room fear, doubt, and distraction have to take over.
Training kids to obey the first time means we’re preparing them to respond to God in real time. We’re training them to respond before the enemy talks them out of it.
How to Teach First-Time Obedience
- Be Clear: Give specific, age-appropriate instructions.
(“Please put your shoes in the closet now,” not “Clean up.”) - Follow Through: If they don’t obey, address it immediately.
Let them know obedience matters every time, not just when it’s convenient. - Connect It to God’s Voice: Remind them, “Just like you listen to me, I want you to listen to God right away too.”
- Celebrate Obedience: Praise them when they respond the first time.
You’re reinforcing a habit that will follow them for life.
Obedience Protects
This isn’t just about order in your home. It’s about safety for their soul.
When the Holy Spirit says “Don’t go there” or “Talk to that person” or “Give that away”, we want our kids to already know how to respond without hesitation. Because one day, their obedience could literally save their life or someone else’s.
Final Thoughts
Parents, requiring first-time obedience isn’t about being strict for the sake of control. It’s about raising kids who recognize and respond to God’s voice without delay.
We’re not just trying to get them to listen to us. We’re preparing them to listen to Him. So let’s be consistent. Let’s model it ourselves.
And let’s remember, we’re not training them just for today’s moment of obedience. We’re training them for a lifetime of walking closely with Jesus.
Unshakable kids. 