TEXT: GENESIS 12: 1 – 5
INTRODUCTION:
According to Nelson’s New Illustrated Dictionary, obedience is carrying out the word and will of and will of another person, especially the will of God. In both the Old and New Testament, the word “Obey” is related to the idea of hearing.
Obedience is a positive and active response to what a person hears. True obedience stems from genuine love. It is the objective test as to whether the person has received salvation or not. Jesus Christ said, “If anyone loves Me, he will keep my word…” – John 14: 23a.
DISCUSSIONS
1. Read Genesis 6: 13 – 22, relate it to the text and the topic of discussion.
2. Compare and contrast these two passages and mention the difference you have observed. 1 Samuel 15: 1 – 22, Genesis 22: 1 – 14
3. Why is it difficult for the present day Christians to obey God?
(i) What do you think about Ezekiel 36: 26 – 27?
4. From the following texts, what are the benefits of True Obedience? Genesis 22: 15 – 18, Deuteronomy 28: 1 – 7, Isaiah 1: 19, Numbers 21: 1 – 9.
5. What are the dangers of selective or partial or complete disobedience?
Isaiah 1: 19 – 20, Genesis 19: 15 – 26, 1 Samuel 15: 22&23, Joshua 5: 6.
6. Identify the price of true obedience from these passages. Daniel 3: 16 – 21, Genesis 39: 17 – 22, Philippians 2: 8.
7. What lessons do we learn from Matthew 4: 8 – 10
CONCLUSION
True obedience is important in the life of any Christian who desires to fulfil God’s purpose in his or her life. Disobedience will bring judgment and rejection from God, while true obedience will bring blessings and victory at last. God prefers our obedience to Him more than any sacrifice or service we will offer Him. I pray that God will give us the grace to be truly obedient to Him in all occasions in Jesus Name.
MEMORY VERSE: ‘Jesus answered and said to him, if anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make our home with him’ John 14: 23
Venerable Folorunso OreOluwa agbelusi MA.MTh
Vicar & Archdeacon
The Rt. Revd. Dr. Humphrey Bamisebi Olumakaiye Ph.D (Ibadan)
Diocesan & Missioner