Obedience is one of those words that never sounds like fun. It feels like an obligation, like something we have to do but doesn’t seem very fun. We often doubt the motives of those asking us to obey, or we think that our way would surely be better. Jesus set the ultimate example for how we should live, and as we study His life obedience sticks out most of all. He had full authority over heaven and earth (Colossians 1:16), yet He fully submitted to the Father’s authority and fully obeyed God in everything.
OBEDIENCE: Following God’s commands His way, right away, all the way
MEMORY VERSE: “Those who accept my commandments and obey them are the ones who love me. And because they love me, my Father will love them. And I will love them and reveal myself to each of them.” John 14:21 (NLT)
This Week’s Finish Line: Jesus trusted His Father and obeyed Him
This week we studied the way Jesus lived His life in full obedience to the Father. We looked at several verses in John when Jesus mentioned His obedience: John 4:34, 5:30, 6:38, 8:26, 10:18, 12:49-50, 14:30-31, and 15:10. All of these verses have one thing in common: Jesus trusted and obeyed his Father in everything He did. Nothing Jesus did was outside of God’s will. Later we looked at Philippians 2:5-11, which is a passage explaining what this obedience meant for Jesus on a practical level. Jesus “became obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross” (Philippians 2:8b).
Family Questions:
- Read the verses listed above that we looked at in John this week. What was Jesus saying in each verse?
- If Jesus was perfect and also equal to God the Father, why do you think He still had to obey?
- What’s the most extreme example of Jesus’s obedience to the Father?
- Do you think it was hard for Jesus to obey God’s commands His way, right away, all the time?
Bring it Home Conversations & Activities:
- Check out our vision for parents and how to use these activities each week.
TEACHER: Biblical Examples of Obedience
At dinner this week, ask your kids if they can think of other people in the Bible who obeyed God besides Jesus. How many can you think of? Was it hard for any of them? Did any of them obey but not right away or all the way? How did that turn out for them?
FRIEND: Small Acts of Obedience
While driving in the car this week, talk about the traffic laws. Ask your kids how many they can think of even while you’re driving. What would happen if everyone ignored stop signs or red lights? Why is it important to obey these laws all the way, right away?
COUNSELOR: How’s My Obedience?
During bedtime this week, have an open conversation with your child about how you are each doing with obedience. For you as a parent, tell your child who you have to obey each day. (Bosses, laws, taxes, etc.) Often kids think when they are adults they won’t have to obey anyone. Give examples from the day of when obedience was easy or hard for you. Ask your child how he/she thinks they are doing with obeying too.
COACH: Learn the Memory Verse!
In the mornings this week, practice this month’s memory verse together! (John 14:21) Write it down on index cards and hang it up on the mirrors around the house. Practice it as you eat breakfast and as you drive to school. Who can memorize it first?
Prayer
Thank God for seeing the whole story of your life even though you cannot. Ask Him to help you trust Him when you cannot understand why He’s allowing you to walk through hard times.
Looking Ahead
Next week we continue studying obedience, and we will look at Exodus 20.