The Survival Guide for Kids

You can make it as a kid if you just remember these three simple things.

You can make it as a kid if you just remember these three simple things.

If you really want to WIN at being a kid, it takes knowing and doing the basics well. You’ll need to set some priorities in your life. And God should be at the top of your list. Even as kids, we can make God a priority.

[Related: How to Be a Wise Kid]

Kids Basics #1 = Put God First

We’re all busy with things like school, homework, and chores. We don’t have a whole lot of free time left. Instead of just playing video games, sports, or hanging out with friends, we should also find time to spend with God.

[Related: How to Know God Better]

Imagine your life is a bowl. You also have a lot of sweets like a huge candy bar, Swedish Fish, and a whole bunch of Skittles. Do you think all of that candy can fit in the bowl? Well, it depends on the order. If we put the big things in first, everything will fit right! Big things first. Then the little things. What that means is we should focus on the important stuff first and let the other things fill in where time is left. What could be bigger than God? So how can you make God more of a priority in your life?

The 3 Great Ways to Spend Time with God

  • Pray.
  • Read the Bible.
  • Talk about it with your family.

Make God a priority if you want to survive as a kid. Just remember the basics, starting with this: put God first.

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Key Points:

  • Kids basics #1 is to put God first. No matter how old you get, you’ll always be busy with things. You’ll always have to try hard to make God your priority.
  • Three great ways to spend time with God are through prayer, reading the Bible, and talking about God and the Bible with your family.
  • Make God a priority if you want to survive as a kid. Just remember the basics, starting with this: put God first.

Memory Verse:

Deuteronomy 6:5 Love the Lord with all your heart, soul and strength.

Talk About It
  1. What’s your favorite part of the video? What’s one thing you learned from it?
  2. What’s your favorite thing to do when you get home from school?
  3. How can we put God first? (Hint: There are three main ways.)
  4. Read 1 Timothy 4:8. If you play sports or an instrument, what things do you do at practice to prepare for a game/recital? How can reading the Bible or praying be like training (practice) for God?
  5. How will you put God first this week?
  6. How will you apply this lesson to your life this week?

You can make it as a kid if you just remember these three simple things.

One of the best things to remember as a kid is that our parents are our pastors. And that means we should obey them!

Kids Basics #2 = Obey Your Parents

What are some of the rules in your house? Clean your room, do your homework, take out the garbage, no fighting or biting. Maybe you don’t like rules. I don’t always either. But you know what? Obeying our parents is really important. We should do it for two reasons.

We Should Obey Our Parents Because the Bible Says So

If the Bible says obeying your parents pleases God, then that’s what we should do!

Colossians 3:20 Obey your parents for this pleases the Lord.

We’re done, right? Nope! There’s another reason.

We Should Also Obey Our Parents for Our Protection

Let’s take a Hula hoop. Look at it as a big “O.”  “O” is for obedience! The Bible says that the rules God has given us (and our parents) are for our protection. When we obey, we are safe. When we disobey, we are in danger.

So think of the “O” in obedience as a circle of protection. Stay in the boundaries your parents set, and you’re safe. Step out, and you could get into big trouble. Get the idea? Just obey. It’s for your protection.

One more thing: If you want to survive and win as a kid, then…

Don’t Forget Your “ICE” – Kids Should Obey Immediately, Cheerfully, and Exactly

It’s a simple way to remember how to obey. So kids, don’t forget. Obey your parents!

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Key Points:

  • Kids basics #2 is to obey your parents.
  • We should obey our parents because the Bible says so (Colossians 3:20). This will please God.
  • We should also obey our parents for our protection. Our parents give us rules and boundaries not to be mean, but to keep us safe. Kids don’t always know the dangers in the world, but parents do. That’s why they set rules and boundaries.
  • Don’t forget your ICE: kids should obey their parents immediately, cheerfully, and exactly!

Memory Verse:

Colossians 3:20 Obey your parents, for this pleases the Lord.

Talk About It
  1. What’s your favorite part of the video? What’s one thing you learned from it?
  2. What are some of the rules at home that are easy to obey? Which ones are harder to obey?
  3. What’s the first reason to obey our parents?
  4. What’s the second reason to obey our parents?
  5. Read James 1:22-24. What is God’s word? Why is it foolish to know what the Bible says but not do what it says?
  6. How will you apply this lesson to your life this week?

You can make it as a kid if you just remember these three simple things.

So far we’ve learned two important basics that every kid should know. We need to put God first in our lives and we need to obey our parents. And now we need to know about how to treat everyone else.

Kids Basics #3 – Treat Others Right

That means:

  • Don’t sneak up and scare your friends.
  • Don’t headbutt your friends.
  • Don’t fall from a tree on top of your friends.
  • Don’t tackle your friends.
  • Don’t hit kids with bananas.

Those are weird examples… Here’s what it really means:

The 3 Ways to Know You’re Treating Others Right

  • Be nice to every kid.
  • Don’t say mean things behind their back.
  • Treat others how you want to be treated.

Sound familiar? It’s the Golden Rule that Jesus gave us!

The Golden Rule Says: Treat Others the Way You Want to Be Treated

Did you know that comes from the Bible? It is in the book of Matthew and it’s our memory verse.

Matthew 7:12 Do to others whatever you would like them to do to you.

It’s pretty simple. If you want to survive and win at being a kid, treat others right like Jesus said. Treat them the way you want to be treated.

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Key Points:

  • Kids basics #3 is to treat others right. The Golden Rule is all about treating others how we want to be treated. And since we want to be treated right, we should treat others right.
  • Here are three ways to know you’re treating others right: be nice to every kid, don’t say mean things behind others’ backs, and treat others how you want to be treated.
  • The Golden Rule says to treat others the way you want to be treated (Matthew 7:12). 
  • It’s pretty simple. If you want to survive and win at being a kid, treat others right. Treat them the way you want to be treated.

Memory Verse:

Matthew 7:12 Do to others whatever you would like them to do to you.

Talk About It
  1. What’s your favorite part of the video? What’s one thing you learned from it?
  2. Describe a time someone was really nice to you. How did that feel? What about a time someone was really mean to you. How did that feel?
  3. How well do you think you’re doing at treating others right? What are you good at? What needs some work?
  4. Make a list of how you want to be treated. Now, look at that list. Do you think you can treat others that way?
  5. Read Proverbs 18:24. How can the “not so nice” friends hurt you? Why do you think a true friend is compared to a brother (sister)?
  6. How will you apply this lesson to your life this week?