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Home Life Ministries

Character Journal No.2

 Obedience

This is the first of a monthly mailing designed to help parents teach Biblical character qualities to their children. Each month a different character quality will be presented with suggestions for Bible lessons and projects. The length of time you spend teaching these principles to your children each day is not nearly as important as your sincerity and consistency. Begin each time with a relevant hymn or chorus. Then take a verse, theme or story from the suggestions below as the basis for your daily "Bible Time" with your family. Give relevant application of the lesson to your family; and don't forget to ask your children the questions: Who? What? Where? Why? When? and How? Get each member of the family involved by assigning different verses to be read. Finally, conclude your time with family prayer.

Related Hymns and Choruses

Bible Verses Related to Obedience

Spend an evening (or several) looking at just one of these verses at a time. Don't forget to ask your children the questions: Who? What? Where? Why? When? and How? Discuss with your family what each verse or story teaches about the character quality.

Bible Stories

Character Definitions

Projects

Ten Ways To Test Your Obedience

FIRST TEST: Do you ask for reasons when your request is turned down?
OBEDIENCE IS ACCEPTING "NO" AS A FINAL ANSWER. (No questions, no appeals, no discussions, no nothing!!!)
When you make a request, and are told "no,' it would be an act of disobedience to discuss the matter any further. Simply thank your authority for considering the request, and drop the subject. Trust God to work out any change of heart. If you ask for reasons, you are assuming that your authority can clearly and fully explain himself. Often he will have cautions that he cannot immediately explain based on past experiences, conflicting circumstances, the concerns of others, or direction from the Lord. Any reasons he gives you are usually incomplete; thus, when you answer his objections, he still will not be convinced, and an argument will usually result.
 
SECOND TEST: Do you stop what you are doing when given instructions?
OBEDIENCE IS ACTING ON COMMANDS IMMEDIATELY. (No delays, no objections, no reasons like, "Let me finish this first.")
Delayed obedience is disobedience. When your authority asks you to do something, stop what you are doing immediately, and carry out what you were told to do. If you are working on a project that will be damaged if not finished, make your authority aware of this, and let him decide which is the greater priority.
 
THIRD TEST: Do you smile when you are told to do something?
OBEDIENCE IS CHEERFULLY RESPONDING TO REQUESTS. (No frowns, no murmurs, no groans, no rolling of your eyes.)
A smile communicates that you are pleased to carry out the wishes of your authorities. The lack of a smile implies that you do not want to do a job. A frown or any murmuring indicates that you are inwardly rebelling against your authorities, and that you are complying only because you have no alternative.
 
FOURTH TEST: Do you ever give reasons why you cannot do a job?
OBEDIENCE IS FINDING WAYS TO OVERCOME OBSTACLES. (No negative thinking, no failure to be creative, no "I can't." )
When told to do a job, it is normal to think of obstacles that are in your way, but do not voice them. Ask yourself, "How can I overcome these obstacles?" Ask God for wisdom. A desire to obey motivates creativity. Where there is a will, there is a way.
 
FIFTH TEST: Have you ever had to be reminded to do little tasks?
OBEDIENCE IS DOING LITTLE COMMANDS AS WELL AS BIG ONES. (No excuses, no frustrations, no reactions, no justifications.)
Do you need to be reminded to wipe your feet, pick up your clothes, make your bed, brush your teeth, wash the dishes, or carry out garbage? A person who neglects little commands will usually overlook important details which make the difference between success and failure in a project or in life. He will also tend to be careless in his thinking, personal disciplines, neatness, speech, or actions. The principle that Jesus gave is very true: "He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much." (Luke 16:10) On the other hand, he that is unfaithful in little, will be unfaithful in much.
 
SIXTH TEST: Do you ever have to re-do a job you did the wrong way?
OBEDIENCE IS FOLLOWING ALL THE ORDERS THE FIRST TIME. (No assuming, no guessing, no forgetting, no self-will.)
Before carrying out a task, an obedient person will make sure that he has all the information on how to do it. He will know what questions to ask in order to clarify instructions, and he will know at what points. to check back with his authority to make sure he is doing the job the right way. Disobedience is adding your own will or ideas to a job when you are not sure they are in harmony with the precise instructions of your authority.
 
SEVENTH TEST: Do you ever think that a job is "stupid?"
OBEDIENCE IS DOING JOBS AND UNDERSTANDING THEM LATER. (No mocking, no whining, no questioning, no evaluating.)
A former Marine recalled the days when he went through boot camp. He was ordered to dig a hole six-feet-square. After completing the task, he was told to fill it back up, and then start another one. Later he learned that the purpose of those jobs was to teach him to obey even without explanation. His life would depend on it. In battle, he would not always be given the reasons behind a command, but if he failed to obey, his life would be jeopardised, as well as the lives of those around him.
 
EIGHTH TEST: Do you ever ask one parent after the other said, "No?"
OBEDIENCE IS NOT PUTTING ONE AUTHORITY AGAINST ANOTHER. (No scheming, no withholding important facts, no repeat requests.)
When one parent tells you, "No," and you ask the other parent the same question, you may get your way, but it is sure to damage the relationship between your parents and demonstrate the fact that you are disobedient. God instructs us that in a multitude of counsellors there is safety. (See Proverbs 11:14) By rejecting the counsel of one authority, you expose yourself to the destruction that comes with rebellion.
 
NINTH TEST: Do you ever plan in recreation after finishing chores?
OBEDIENCE IS PUTTING ALL YOUR ENERGIES INTO A TASK. (No half-hearted effort, no holding back energy, no day-dreaming.)
God instructs us to put our whole heart and soul into whatever we are doing. (See Colossians 3:23) This means that we will have little energy left after the job is finished. Instead of being distracted by thoughts of recreation, there would be the anticipation of rest. If the same energy that an athlete gives to his training would be expended in fulfilling a job, the one who assigned the job would be amazed with the spirit of obedience.
 
TENTH TEST: Do you obey whatever you are told to do?
OBEDIENCE IS BASED ON WHAT GOD SAYS IS TRUE AND RIGHT. (No blind obedience, no surrender of personal responsibilities.)
Even if an authority would tell you to do something that the Bible clearly prohibits, you are not to do it. Disobedience is violating any of God's laws; regardless of what others may tell you. If an authority should ask you to do something that you know is against God's Word, you must respectfully explain that you are ultimately under God's authority, and therefore you must obey God rather than man.

Bible Verses to Memorise as a Family

Other Helpful Material

Romans 13:1-2 Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.

GOD HAS ORDAINED 4 BASIC STRUCTURES OF AUTHORITY

1. The Family
The family was the very first authority structure that God ever established, and it is foundational to all other structures of authority. Strong families will produce strong churches and nations. Weak families will produce weak churches and weak nations. Scripture makes it very clear that the husband is under the direct authority of God...The wife is under the authority of the husband...And the children are under the authority of their parents. This is the chain-of-command which God has established within the family. If this chain is broken or perverted in any way, if the husband resigns the spiritual leadership of the family to his wife, if the children are undisciplined and allowed to do whatever they want, then there will be serious consequences in the lives of that family.
 
2. The Government
Submission to the entire structure of government from the leader of our country, all the way down to the local police officers is commanded in Scripture. 1 Peter 2:13-14 Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme; Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well.
 
3. The Church
God has provided the leadership within a properly functioning local church to be responsible for the spiritual care and welfare of each member. Hebrews 13:17 Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.
 
4. Our Employers
Paul, in Ephesians 6:5, writes, "Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ."
 
Is there ever a situation when we should disobey those in authority over us? Acts 4:19-20 infers that if we are confronted with a situation and are asked by our authorities to violate a Biblical command or principle, then we must obey God rather than man.

WHY WE SHOULD OBEY OUR GOD ORDAINED AUTHORITIES

1. For our protection
God has designed authority to function like an umbrella of protection. As long as we remain under God-given authority, nothing can happen to us that God does not design for our ultimate good and His ultimate glory. But the moment we challenge and disobey our authority, we move out from underneath that umbrella of protection and expose ourselves to the destructive forces of satan. That's why Scripture says that "rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft" (1 Samuel 15:23). A person who is involved in witchcraft has given himself over to Satan and his power. Exactly the same thing happens the moment you step outside that umbrella of protection - you expose yourself to the destructive forces of Satan. Satan's strategy is to get us outside that umbrella of protection because he knows he can't harm us as long as we remain under our God-given authority.
 
2. For direction
The most essential means of finding God's will (second only to the Word of God) is checking with our authorities, because God directs through your authority. Now that's radical teaching for our society! Parents are often the last on the list that our young people come to for advice, and that's tragic. This explains why so many Christian young people today are constantly making wrong decisions and are just drifting through life with no vital spiritual purpose for living. It's only as we submit to the authority of those God has placed over us - parents, government, employer, leadership in the local church - that we can benefit from God's protection and direction.
 
3. For character development
Every single one of us has a multitude of character deficiencies that need to be perfected. Authorities are the tools in God's hands that He uses to chip away at the rough edges of our character and to transform us into the image of Jesus Christ (Proverbs 22:15 Foolishness [is] bound in the heart of a child; [but] the rod of correction shall drive it far from him.). If we react and resist and get out from under the reproofs and authority of our parents, God only has to raise up new "tools" to continue the job. While Bill Gothard was working with inner-city gangs, many teen-agers would say in disgust, "I'm sick and tired of taking orders from my parents!" He would ask what they're planning to do about it, and they would reply, "I'm going to join the service!" They usually chose the marines!

OBEDIENCE-DISOBEDIENCE

    (A) OBEDIENCE
            (1) To God, the duty of
                Whole-hearted Required  # De 26:16 32:46
                The Price of Success # Jos 1:8
                Better than Sacrifice # 1Sa 15:22 Jer 7:23
                Secures Entrance into God's Kingdom # Mt 7:21 Lu 8:21
                The Imperative Duty of Life # Ac 5:29
           (2) Examples of
                Noah   # Ge 6:22
                Abraham # Ge 12:4 22:2,3
                Bezaleel   # Ex 36:1 Nu 9:23
                Joshua # Jos 11:15
                Hezekiah # 2Ki 18:6 Ezr 7:23 Ps 27:8
                Joseph and Mary # Lu 2:39 Ac 16:10
                Paul # Ac 26:19 Ro 16:19
                Christ # Heb 5:8
            (3) Blessings Promised for # Ex 19:5 De 4:30 5:29 7:12 28:1 1Ki 3:14 Job 36:11 Zec 3:7             # Jas 1:25 1Jo 3:22 Re 22:14
            (4) Christ's Example of # Joh 14:31 15:10 Ro 5:19 Heb 5:8 10:9
    (B) CHRIST'S WORDS CONCERNING OBEDIENCE
            The Basal Rock of Character # Mt 7:24
            Essential to Membership in God's Family # Mt 12:50
            The Key to Spiritual Knowledge # Joh 7:17
            Secures the Blessing of Divine Fellowship # Joh 14:23 1Jo 2:17
    (C) OBEDIENCE TO CHRIST, examples of # Mt 4:20 7:24 9:9 21:6 26:19 Lu 5:5 6:47 # Joh 2:7 11:29 14:21 21:6
    (D) DISOBEDIENCE
            (1) Penalty for # De 11:28 28:15 1Sa 12:15 28:18 1Ki 13:21 Jer 12:17             # Eph 5:6 2Th 1:8 1Ti 1:9 Heb 2:2,3
            (2) Examples of # Ge 3:11 19:26 Le 10:1 Nu 20:11 Jos 7:1 1Sa 13:13             # Jon 1:3 Zep 3:2

OBEDIENCE to God

1) Commanded # De 13:4

2) Without faith, is impossible # Heb 11:6

3) INCLUDES
    3a) Obeying his voice # Ex 19:5 Jer 7:23
    3b) Obeying his law # De 11:27 Isa 42:24
    3c) Obeying Christ # Ex 23:21 2Co 10:5
    3d) Obeying the gospel # Ro 1:5 6:17 10:16,17
    3e) Keeping his commandments # Ec 12:13
    3f) Submission to higher powers # Ro 13:1

4) Better than sacrifice # 1Sa 15:22

5) Justification obtained by that of Christ # Ro 5:19

6) Christ, an example of # Mt 3:15 Joh 15:20 Php 2:5-8 Heb 5:8

7) Angels engaged in # Ps 103:20

8) A characteristic of saints # 1Pe 1:14

9) Saints elected to # 1Pe 1:2

10) Obligations to # Ac 4:19,20 5:29

11) Exhortations to # Jer 26:13 38:20

12) SHOULD BE
    12a) From the heart # De 11:13 Ro 6:17
    12b) With willingness # Ps 18:44 Isa 1:19
    12c) Unreserved # Jos 22:2,3
    12d) Undeviating # De 28:14
    12e) Constant # Php 2:12

13) Resolve upon # Ex 24:7 Jos 24:24

14) Confess your failure in # Da 9:10

15) Prepare the heart for # 1Sa 7:3 Ezr 7:10

16) Pray to be taught # Ps 119:35 143:10

17) Promises to # Ex 23:22 1Sa 12:14 Isa 1:19 Jer 7:23

18) To be universal in the latter days # Da 7:27

19) Blessedness of # De 11:27 28:1-13 Lu 11:28 Jas 1:25

20) The wicked refuse # Ex 5:2 Ne 9:17

21) Punishment of refusing # De 11:28 28:15-68 Jos 5:6 Isa 1:20

22) Exemplified
    22a) Noah # Ge 6:22
    22b) Abram # Ge 12:1-4 Heb 11:8 Ge 22:3,12
    22c) Israelites # Ex 12:28 24:7
    22d) Caleb &c # Nu 32:12
    22e) Asa # 1Ki 15:11
    22f) Elijah # 1Ki 17:5
    22g) Hezekiah # 2Ki 18:6
    22h) Josiah # 2Ki 22:2
    22i) David # Ps 119:106
    22j) Zerubbabel # Hag 1:12
    22k) Joseph # Mt 1:24
    22l) Wise men # Mt 2:12
    22m) Zacharias &c # Lu 1:6
    22n) Paul # Ac 26:19
    22o) Saints of Rome # Ro 16:19

Sources used for compiling this mailing: