Loading...
Chapter Four
In this chapter we will study two important and related topics — that of obedience and God’s will. They are intertwined in that without a heart of obedience, we cannot truly discover or carry out God’s will. Conversely, once we know God’s will, we will have to obey it. Failure to do so is disobedience.
Obedience
Obedience is fundamental to the Christian. The Hebrew word for obey comes from ‘to hear’. In other words, to hear is to do and obey. Obedience, in simple terms is hearing God and acting on it. Obedience may come at a cost, but it always comes with blessing.
What is one definition of obedience from John 8:28?
The Bible contrasts extensively the examples of Adam and Jesus in Romans 5.
In Romans 5:12, what did Adam’s disobedience result in?
In Romans 5:19, what did Jesus’ obedience result in?
A great example of obedience (and faith) is Abraham (Hebrews 11:8-19).
In Hebrews 11:8, what was his response when God called him to go to a faraway place?
Did his obedience depend on knowledge of the future or other normally necessary knowledge?
What does our obedience prove:
in John 14:15?
in John 15:14?
in 1 John 2:3-4?
in 1 John 5:2?
What blessings await those who obey God?
John 15:10
John 14:23
1 John 2:5
The Ten Commandments, given in Exodus 20:1-17, is a call to worship God and obey Him. These ten commands are categorized into Godward commands and manward commands. Write down what these commands are:
Commandment 1 (verse 3):
Commandment 2 (verses 4-6):
Commandment 3 (verse 7):
Commandment 4 (verses 8-11):
Commandment 5 (verse 12):
Commandment 6 (verse 13):
Commandment 7 (verse 14):
Commandment 8 (verse 15):
Commandment 9 (verse 16):
Commandment 10 (verse 17):
“Obedience is God’s love language.”
—Craig Etheredge
https://disciplefirst.com/the-obedience-of-jesus-2/
In Matthew 22:37-40, the Ten Commandments are summarized as two ‘Great Commandments’.
Which of the ten are summarized under the First Great Commandment?
Which of them are summarized under the Second Great Commandment?
While we may recognize our obligation to obey, we might obey with the wrong attitude or spirit. With what kind of attitude should we obey from the following verses?
Psalm 40:8
Deuteronomy 26:16
Psalm 119:59-60
1 John 5:3
“Delayed Obedience is Disobedience.”
—Studies in Christian Living Bk 4, Growing as a Christian, pg 42
Application
Reflect on your life and relationship to God. Is God speaking to you about obedience in an area of life? Or perhaps about an attitude of reluctant obedience?
Talk to God about this and your genuine desire to obey Him on what He has spoken to you.
Discovering God’s Will
Understanding and doing God’s will is important for Christians. When we obey and fulfil God’s will, we will experience joy and satisfaction. This is what God has created us for and that sense of fulfilment makes us draw closer to God.
The Heart Attitude
Knowing and doing God’s will requires that we have the right heart attitude. Without the right attitude, we can miss important elements of God’s will.
God gave King Saul a commission (1 Samuel 15:18). Did Saul do all that God asked him to do? (1 Samuel 15:10-11)
In contrast to Saul, Israel's first king, David had a different assessment from God. What did God see in David that was so special?
Romans 12:1-3 gives some important principles about finding and doing God’s will. Look up the verses and answer the following:
What must we first offer?
What must we change?
What will be the result regarding God’s will?
How will this description of God’s will address any fears or apprehension I may have?
Jesus taught His disciples to be responsive to God’s will. In Matthew 6:10, what response are disciples to have?
What kind of guidance does God promise in Psalm 32:8?
“Nine-tenths of the difficulties in finding the Lord’s will are overcome when our hearts are ready to do His will, whatever it may be.”
—George Muller, “Answers to Prayer”
Chicago: Moody Publishers, 2007, pg 5
In view of God’s promise of guidance, what should we ask God?
Sometimes questions may arise about doing God’s will. What does Proverbs 3:5-6 tell us:
What not to do?
What to do?
What do we do when we think that obeying God’s will is costly?
When Jesus knew of His imminent sufferings and crucifixion, what did He ask for in Matthew 26:39, 42 and 44?
What was Jesus’ decision?
Because He did God’s will despite the sufferings, what did He accomplish? (Colossians 1:20)
Essentials for Knowing God’s Will
Much of God’s will is already revealed in the Bible. The Christian’s response is to discover what He has said and then simply obey. In other areas not covered, He gives principles from His Word and other means of guidance.
In what ways does God’s Word help us?
Psalm 119:105, 130
Psalm 37:31
When we are not clear about God’s will, what can we do? (James 1:5; Psalm 48:14)
What will the Holy Spirit do? (John 16:13)
What else can be of help? (Proverbs 15:22)
From Acts 16:6-10, what did the Holy Spirit do to lead the Apostle Paul and his missionary team to go to the place God wanted them to go?
There were two closed doors before the open door where Paul and his team should go. Who closed the doors?
What is a positive way of looking at closed doors?
The story is told of an important harbour that ships had to berth at. It was dangerous for those ships whose captains were not familiar with the rocks and sandbanks around the harbour. Many unwary ships had gone to grief on those unseen rocks.To help ships navigate, the harbour officials erected three lights. As long as the three lights were aligned in a row, the ships were safe.
Similarly, the three lights for guiding Christians to know they are in God’s will are the Spirit of God, the Word of God and Prayer. These must be in alignment for the Christian to have the assurance it is God’s will.
Reflection
Now that you have been introduced to the principles of knowing and doing God’s will, how would you respond to those who hold to the following?
My response to each statement:
“Lord, I’ll do anything you want as long as it’s what I want.”
“I’ll go wherever the Lord calls me, but not to Central Africa.”
“I’ll decide on whichever job pays me more.”
“Getting that job will open doors for me to serve God in many ways. However, the openings are scarce.”
God’s Will for Specific Areas
Work and Vocation
Whatever job or work you may have, what do the following verses tell us about how we should work?
1 Corinthians 4:2
Colossians 3:17
Colossians 3:22-23
Marriage and Family Relationships
What principles about marriage can we learn from the following verses?
Proverbs 18:22
2 Corinthians 6:14-15
Proverbs 31:30
1 Corinthians 7:39
How should husbands treat their wives?
Ephesians 5:25,28
1 Peter 3:7
How should wives relate to their husbands?
Ephesians 5:22-24
Proverbs 31:12,26,27
How should children relate to parents? (Ephesians 6:1-3)
How are parents to treat their children? (Ephesians 6:4)
Application
Review the sections on Obedience and God’s Will. Choose at least one principle from each section which has helped you to progress.
What helped me most on Obedience
What helped me most from doing God’s Will