Growing Strong in God's Family (2)

Chapter 8: Obedience

What are some similarities between children obeying their parents and Christians obeying God?

There are several similarities between children obeying their parents and Christians obeying God, emphasizing principles like love, trust, respect, and guidance:

Love and Relationship

Children and Parents: This relationship is grounded in love, with parents providing care and support, and children responding with affection and obedience.

Christians and God: Christians are called to love God fully, forming the foundation for their obedience and relationship with Him.

Trust and Dependence

Children and Parents: Children rely on their parents for needs, trusting in their wisdom and provision.

Christians and God: Christians trust in God's provision and plan, relying on Him for their spiritual and physical needs.

Authority and Respect

Children and Parents: Parents have authority over their children, who are expected to respect and obey their guidance.

Christians and God: God is the ultimate authority, and Christians honor, respect, and follow His commandments.

Guidance and Instruction

Children and Parents: Parents provide guidance to help children grow and develop responsibly.

Christians and God: God offers guidance through the Bible and the Holy Spirit, aiding Christians in their spiritual growth.

Discipline and Correction

Children and Parents: Parents discipline children out of love to correct and teach them.

Christians and God: God disciplines His followers for their growth and correction, steering them onto the right path.

Obedience and Consequences

Children and Parents: Obedience to parents often leads to positive outcomes, while disobedience can result in consequences.

Christians and God: Obedience to God brings blessings and fulfillment, while disobedience can cause spiritual repercussions.

Mutual Commitment

Children and Parents: A mutual commitment exists where parents provide love and guidance, and children respect and obey.

Christians and God: Christians commit to following God's will, while God remains faithful and caring.

These parallels highlight the fundamental principles of love, trust, respect, and guidance that underpin both relationships, fostering growth, harmony, and a deeper connection.

Reading highlights:

Guide to Conversational Prayer

Start Praying Rather than sharing requests: It has been routine, both at work and during small group, I always felt that it was “protocol” that we do prayer requests. By the time we get through all of the prayer requests, and begin to pray, it is either almost, or it is time to open the doors of the store. Because of the lack of time we tend to rush our prayers and just call out some routine things instead of having Spirit-led prayers.

Pray About One Topic at a time: we call out names and situations, but we are never intentional to a specific topic that we need to pray for. We don’t have to remember every name; we can just say that we are praying for those who are sick. God knows who we are referring to and what situation we are in. We never take the time to pray specifically on a subject, like praying for our country, discernment in life’s decisions, the present wars that are going on in the world, the persecution of Christians all over the world, our country’s government, armed forces etc..

Pray briefly: We make the mistake that there is a certain way we need to pray, a time limit we need to pray for, and subjects that we must focus on in every prayer. We make prayer mundane, uninspired, non passionate prayers. If we would look in Scripture, Jesus prayers were not these long drawn out, puffed up prayers. His prayers were simple, yet powerful.

Pray spontaneously: This is one thing I think that my team at TR does really well. My team are quick to get everyone together for prayer. We may not even know what is going on with someone or something, but when we feel the need to pray, my team does not hesitate!

John 14:15 ESV

15 “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.

John 14:21 ESV

21 Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me. And he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and manifest myself to him.”

The Foundations of Obedience.

After reflecting on John 14, verses 15 and 21, briefly state the relationship between loving God and obeying Him: we love God like we say we do, we quite simply long to do what is right in His eyes. If we love God, we will stand on His word, and His word alone! Love is something we feel, it’s putting words into action.

What were God’s instruction for Israel regarding obedience?

Deuteronomy 10:12–13“12 “And now, Israel, what does the Lord your God require of you, but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in all his ways, to love him, to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, 13 and to keep the commandments and statutes of the Lord, which I am commanding you today for your good?”

God gives Israel these simple instructions:

To fear (out of respect and reverence) the Lord

Walk in all His ways: Proverbs 16:9 “9 The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.”

To love Him

4. To serve Him with all of your heart and soul

5. To keep His commandments and statutes

3. In what ways might obedience to God be profitable and “for your own good”? In all ways (goes back to Proverbs 3:5–6 “5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. 6 In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.”

The Practice of Obedient Living”