OBEDIENCE - It Pays to Obey
OBEDIENCE
- It Pays to Obey
Obedience is the barometer of a heart’s spiritual condition and love towards God. Obedience is a spiritual capacity. Anytime we find ourselves struggling with obedience, it is an indication and reaction to spiritual and inward problem.
Obedience is a life saver. Obedience is the gateway to blessing. It is the willing submission of our will to God’s authority and to rightful instructions placed over us. True obedience goes beyond outward compliance. Where disobedience brings chaos, loss, and judgment, obedience opens the door to peace, blessings, and divine favour. It is not weakness, but strength under discipline, not bondage, but the pathway to freedom and fulfilment.
Are you struggling with disobedience? Don’t personalize as a temperament problem or try to manage it. You need spiritual capacity.
QUESTIONS
1. Our text states that to honor our father and mother is the first commandment with promise. To which of the Ten Commandments is this referring? What is the promise?
LESSON INSPIRATION:
Honouring our parent is more than family love – It is God’s requirement
Long and meaningful days – To fulfil God’s purpose and plan
Obedience – source of better life and eternity
Specific ways: Obedience, Love, Following good steps/values, appreciation
“To honour one’s father and mother is to give them what is owed in gratitude for life and nurture, for from them, after God, we received our being. Those who respect their parents will themselves be blessed with children who honour them. A child who honours his parents builds his own future with blessings.”
Summary of Blessings from Honouring Parents:
Long life (Exod. 20:12, Eph. 6:3)
Things go well in life (Deut. 5:16)
Wisdom and dignity (Prov. 1:8–9)
Generational honour and blessings (Jewish & African proverbs)
Gratitude to God, the ultimate Giver of life
KEY POINTS:
The crucial nature of home-based integration
First thing first - entrance to the world
Door that leads to other doors - ripple effect blessing
Start from home - Foundational
SEARCH:
1) The commandment honors family order
Respecting parents reflects honoring God’s design for family authority and social order.
2) The promise is tied to honoring parents
Ephesians 6:2-3 "Honour thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise;) That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth."
Honoring parents is a visible expression of honoring God’s authority and plan for human relationships.
How we treat parents reveals our reverence for God’s order in creation.
4) Practical steps to live out the commandment today
Speak respectfully, provide help where needed, show gratitude, listen to wise counsel, and avoid dishonoring neglect or rebellion.
The principle remains relevant across cultures and times: honor shown to parents unfolds into blessed living and communal harmony.
It refers to the fifth commandment: "Honour thy father and mother" (Exodus 20:12; Deuteronomy 5:16).
“it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth” (Ephesians 6:2-3).
This is the promise attached to honoring father and mother in the cited passage.
2. Define obedience.
Hebrews 13:17 7 Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation.
LESSON INSPIRATION:
Submission – willingly and practically – thoughts, words and actions
Why? – God is orderly – One authority/instruction at a time –
Remember not to forget – instructions, principles, mentoring
Spiritual mentors – Spiritual impact
Follow their steps
“Only he who believes is obedient, and only he who is obedient believes. True obedience to God means doing what He says, when He says it, how He says it. Obedience is an act of faith; disobedience is the result of unbelief. Obedience is the crown and honour of all virtue. Obedience completes and gives strength to every other virtue. Liberty is obedience to the law which one has laid down for oneself.”
Key Themes of Importance:
Obedience to God shows love, trust, and faith.
Obedience to parents/elders carries blessings and stability.
Obedience to just authority and principles promotes order, freedom, and harmony.
SEARCH:
1) Obedience is willing submission to God’s authority
Luke 11:28 “Blessed rather are they that hear the word of God, and keep it.”
2) Obedience is living out God’s commands, not just hearing them
James 1:22 “But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.”
True obedience translates belief into concrete, continual action aligned with Scripture.
3) Obedience is motivated by love for God, not fear or obligation
John 14:15 “If ye love me, keep my commandments.”
The best obedience flows from a relational love for God, not mere compliance.
4) Obedience often requires sacrifice or change
1 Samuel 15:22 “Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams.”
5) Obedience shapes character and life direction
Deuteronomy 13:4 “Ye shall walk after the Lord your God, and fear him, and keep his commandments, and obey his voice, and ye shall serve him, and cleave unto him.”
Consistent obedience molds daily habits, worship, and long-term choices in alignment with God’s purposes.
6) Obedience begins in the home and extends to leadership roles
Ephesians 6:1 “Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right.”
Obedience starts in our immediate relationships and expands to broader spheres of responsibility and authority.
3. Colossians 3:20 says that children should obey their parents. Why is the thought in this verse such an important first step in a child’s life?
Colossians 3:20 20 Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well pleasing unto the Lord.
LESSON INSPIRATION:
Formative/Learning stage/years – a process in every system – student for life
Obeying parents – those who have had growth/development impact on us
Good foundation for solid structure and future –
Law and order – to avert confusion and anarchy
Obedience – done as unto God -
“The first idea the child must acquire is that of obedience. If children don’t learn to obey their parents, they will not respect authority of any kind. The beginning is the most important part of the work.”
Why Obedience Matters in a Child’s First Steps:
It teaches respect for authority (Eph. 6:1).
It develops discipline and self-control
It builds a foundation for moral responsibility and later independence
It opens the child’s heart to love and trust in God
It ensures safety and guidance in formative years (Prov. 6:20-22).
KEY POINTS:
Instruction - not just a piece of advice
Formative stage/years - Crucial to growth and development
SEARCH:
1) Foundational habit: obedience begins early
Proverbs 22:6 Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.
Learning to submit to authority in childhood builds a pattern of trust and discipline that shapes future choices and character.
2) Obedience as a form of worship
Luke 11:28 "Blessed rather are they that hear the word of God, and keep it."
Obedience to parents is a practical expression of honoring and obeying God, shaping a life that seeks to please Him.
3) Development of self-control and humility
Child obedience cultivates humility and dependence on guidance beyond personal desires.
4) Safety, care, and moral formation:
Obedience protects and directs children within a framework that preserves safety, boundaries, and moral development.
5) Foundation for healthier family relationships and societal harmony
Respectful obedience strengthens family units, which in turn contributes to a more orderly and compassionate community.
4. Our lesson says that fathers should not provoke their children to wrath. What do you think this means?
LESSON INSPIRATION:
Discipline helps develop obedience and compliance
Discipline is necessary – it may be unpleasant or undesirable
Discipline and pruning with a purpose
Cruelty approach hardens the heart
Purpose-driven – make known the offence, why it is unacceptable and reason for correction
“Parents must not “provoke” their children by unreasonable conduct, nor treat them with injustice, but cultivate their obedience with kindness. A father’s words are as seeds. If they are seeds of kindness, they will bear fruit; if of provocation, they will bear thorns. A child who is constantly provoked will learn rebellion instead of respect. The words of a father are like chisels. They can either carve out beauty or leave scars.”
KEY POINTS:
Instructions - parental manual
Beyond fulfilment - much more on how to do it for best results
Strife and anger are evil works - they produce evils
Love-driven correction and discipline - effective
SEARCH:
1) Provoke not your children to wrath
Ephesians 6:4 “And ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.”
2) Discipline with love and consistency
Hebrews 12:11 “Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.”
3) Create a safe, hopeful environment for growth
Encourage your children, set clear boundaries, and communicate in a way that builds confidence rather than crippling fear or despair.
4) Model gentle leadership and self-control
Titus 1:7 “For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God… not self-willed, not soon angry…”
5) Teach with purpose, not merely punish
Proverbs 22:6 “Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.”
Guidance and instruction that align with God’s ways should be given in love, not as a display of control that produces fear or anger.
6) Address anger before it grows
James 1:19-20 “Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath: For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.”
Work on communication and conflict resolution within the family to prevent anger from becoming a pattern.
7) Emphasize nurture and admonition in the Lord
Parenting should aim to guide children toward faith, wisdom, and a Christ-centered life, not just obedience to rules.
5. Explain the meaning of bringing up children “in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.”
LESSON INSPIRATION:
Begin training early – Sound curriculum – Credible institution – Good teachers
Heart’s curiosity/space – feed/fill it with spiritual substance and values
How: Regularly, Engage, Home front, Church, Applications, Living the life
The word nurture means training of a child; instruction; discipline. It does not denote simply chastisement, but such training as children receive. The word admonition means putting in mind; warning; reminding. The idea is that they are to be trained up in reference to the Lord—in the knowledge of His will, in obedience to His commands, and in reverence for His authority.”
Summary of Meaning:
Nurture: the whole process of training, educating, disciplining, and shaping character.
Of the Lord: all done under Christ’s authority, guided by His Word, and aimed at pointing children to Him.
KEY POINTS:
Precept upon precepts - line upon line - it is a process
Spiritual diet plan - Sound doctrine
Sound curriculum - structured
Experienced and spiritual teachers - be the first partaker
Credible Institution - Spiritual environment
SEARCH:
1) Nurture through steady, biblical instruction
Ephesians 6:4 “And ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.”
2) Teach daily, with heart-involvement
Deuteronomy 6:6-7 “And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children…”
3) Model and communicate a God-first worldview
Colossians 3:17 “And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus…”
Children learn by watching how parents integrate faith into decisions, priorities, and actions.
4) Discipline with love, not harshness
Correction should guide and build character, maintaining a secure and loving home environment.
5) Impart wisdom for life’s decisions
Impart practical wisdom—how to think, not just what to think—so children can apply God’s truth in real-life choices.
6) Prayer and dependence on God for family guidance
Philippians 4:6-7 “Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God…”
7) Build a secure, hopeful family culture
Psalm 78:4-7 “We will not hide them from their children, shewing to the generation to come the praises of the Lord… That the generation to come might know them, even the children which shall be born; who shall arise and declare them to their children…”
6. How does Ephesians 6:5-6 apply to us today?
Ephesians 6:5-6 5 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;
Colossians 3:23 23 And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;
LESSON INSPIRATION:
Servanthood – Jesus was a perfect example
Obedience to secular masters is required by God
Done as unto God – with whom we have to deal with
Not done as unto man or an impression or for show
Serve God, through humanity – fulfilling God’s will
Guiding principle - Diligent in all things - All done as unto God
“Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much. It is the faithfulness with which the endowment has been used that wins the Lord’s commendation. If we desire to be acknowledged as good and faithful servants, we must do thorough, consecrated work for the Master. Do all the good you can, by all the means you can, in all the ways you can, in all the places you can, at all the times you can, to all the people you can, as long as ever you can.”
Themes Highlighted:
Faithfulness in small and large responsibilities.
Serving others is an expression of God’s grace.
Stewardship is both a duty and an act of love.
God rewards faithful service and consistent obedience.
True stewardship involves surrendering self-interest for God’s purposes.
KEY POINTS:
Servanthood is not naturally popular -
Faithful and diligent servants are needed
Reverential attitude - attention to details
Love-driven - Divine love is the root
Done as unto God - Spiritual motivation
Inward commitment over outward show
Service with a difference -
SEARCH:
1) Work with sincerity, not just for show
Ephesians 6:6 “Not with I mind service, as men pleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart.”
2) Submit to rightful authority with a Christ-like attitude
Ephesians 6:5 “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.”
3) Honor Christ in everyday duties
Ephesians 6:5-6 “...not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart.”
4) Let spiritual identity shape behavior at work
Ephesians 6:7-8… “With good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men.”
5) Practice integrity when no one is looking
Do what is right even when there’s no visible accountability, trusting God to honor faithful obedience.
Practical takeaways for today:
- In the workplace, school, internships, or volunteer roles, strive for excellence, honesty, and a humble, teachable spirit.
- If you face unfair or unsafe demands, seek counsel and address concerns in a godly, respectful way, keeping your primary allegiance to Christ.
7. If we realize that the Lord is watching us while we work, and we are trying to do a job that is pleasing to Him, what are we promised?
Ephesians 6:8 Knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord, whether he be bond or free.
LESSON INSPIRATION:
Doing good is an investment – God rewards every good deed
Obedience is the key – doing what is right all the time, without complain
Encouragement – It pays to serve Jesus – never in vain
Sow to yourself good deeds by been good to others – Done as unto God
“Service to God is of no value when it is done merely to be seen by men. The true test of godly service is the attitude of the heart when no one else is watching. The secret of the abundant life is obedience that no one sees but God. True service is hidden and humble, yet fully rewarded by Him. God is not impressed by the loudness of our service; He measures the faithfulness of our hearts. Do good quietly. Let your reward come from God, not from applause. Service done to impress men is wasted service. Serve in secret and God will honor it openly. The highest form of service is invisible to human eyes but visible to Heaven.”
Key Lessons:
Serve sincerely for God, not for recognition or praise.
True service comes from the heart, even when no one is watching.
Rewards for faithful, hidden service are eternal, not temporary.
The attitude matters more than the action; God values humble faithfulness.
KEY POINTS:
God’s eyes are everywhere
God's records are detailed and accurate
Pleasing God - Christian's priority
God is not unreasonable to forget - exceeding blessings
Full reward - Obtainable from God, as at when due.
SEARCH:
1) The Lord rewards faithful, heart-level work
Colossians 3:23-24 “And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; ... Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.”
2) Work done for God transcends human recognition
Ephesians 6:7-8 “With good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men: Knowing that whatsoever good thing any man do, the same shall he receive of the Lord, whether he be bond or free.”
2 Corinthians 5:10 “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.”
God will evaluate your work; alignment with His will yields positive, eternal outcomes.
4) Consistency in small tasks matters to God
Luke 16:10 “He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much.”
Practical takeaway:
View your work—whether at school, on the job, or in service—as a devotion to Christ. Seek to please Him first, trust His promise of reward, and remain diligent, ethical, and humble in all you do.
8. In the part of the lesson text taken from Mark, Jesus had just performed a miracle by healing a man possessed with a devil. As Jesus left the country of the Gadarenes, this man wished to accompany Him. Why do you think Jesus told this man to go back to his home and friends? What was the result of his obedience?
LESSON INSPIRATION:
God speaks beyond the written words – Paradigm shift in spiritual communication
Obedience unfolds God’s strategies and open doors to divine provisions
Don’t try to understand or figure it out – Obey God and leave the consequences for him, if any
“Begin by loving those who are closest to you; from them your love may extend outward to the world. Charity is not only to be shown to strangers, but first to one’s own family; for without care at home, love elsewhere is incomplete. Charity begins at home. The foundations of justice and benevolence are laid in the household; a man cannot extend virtue beyond where he has not practiced it at home. Acts of kindness are most powerful when they begin where love is already owed—your family and home. A household filled with love and charity becomes a beacon for the community beyond.”
Key Lessons:
Charity is first a responsibility to one’s own family; neglecting home undermines outward service.
Practicing love, care, and justice at home prepares and strengthens one for service in the wider community.
True charity is rooted in integrity and consistency: it starts in the smallest circles and radiates outward.
KEY POINTS:
Saved to serve
The mission is huge
Your home is an entrance to the wide mission field
Charity and goodness begin from home, friends and acquaintances
"Happy are ye" if you know and do - Covenant promise
SEARCH:
1) God often uses personal testimony to reach loved ones
Mark 5:19 “Howbeit Jesus suffered him not, but saith unto him, Go home to thy friends, and tell them how great things the Lord hath done for thee, and hath compassion on thee.”
Jesus doesn’t always call every believer to physically follow Him in ministry; He calls some to testify where they are.
Faithful sharing in ordinary settings can spark widespread curiosity and openness to the gospel.
4) Obedience to God’s direction demonstrates trust and maturity
Trusting God’s plan—even when it doesn’t align with our immediate desires—produces spiritual growth and fruitfulness.
9. What might the consequences be if there were no obedience . . .
in the home? in the school? in the church? on the job? in our country?
LESSON INSPIRATION:
Obedience as a function of achieving group’s goals and objectives
An orderly society is as a result of obedient members
Group obedience ensures a peaceful individual living
“Each act of disobedience, however small, diminishes the moral strength of the whole community. When one person refuses to follow rules, the group pays the price, either in loss, confusion, or punishment. Disobedience in a group is like a crack in a dam: it may start small, but it can flood the entire community. Societies and organizations fail not when all act wrongly, but when some disobey and others do nothing.”
Key Lessons:
Disobedience ripples beyond the individual, affecting peers, community, and sometimes future generations.
It erodes trust, unity, and morale within the group.
It can lead to collective punishment or loss, biblical or otherwise.
Maintaining group discipline often requires everyone adhering to shared rules, because failure by one compromises all.
KEY POINTS:
Sin is sin - either in degree or place
Sin's consequences are not limited to time and place -
Disobedience breed confusion
Obedience is a reaction to spiritual identity and transformation
SEARCH:
In the home:
Consequences: Disorder, dishonor, broken relationships, and instability for children.
Obedience builds trust, security, and a godly family culture; disobedience undermines parenting, respect, and spiritual formation.
In the school:
Consequences: Disruption, poor learning outcomes, and missed opportunities for growth.
In the church:
Consequences: Discord, weakness in witness, and hindrance to spiritual growth and mission.
Obedience to Christ’s yoke for the community strengthens unity, service, and effectiveness in ministry.
On the job:
Consequences: Loss of trust, discipline, or opportunity; stagnation in career and witness.
Colossians 3:23 “And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men.”
Proverbs 10:9 “He that walketh uprightly walketh surely: but he that perverteth his ways shall be known.”
Honest, diligent, and God-honoring work builds witness and opportunity; disobedience undermines integrity and advancement.
Consequences: Erosion of rule of law, social trust, and public welfare; mission drift from biblical foundations.
1 Peter 2:13-17 “Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake...”
Proverbs 14:34 “Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people.”
Obedience to rightful authority and adherence to biblical principles sustain justice, peace, and national flourishing; disobedience to law and virtue weakens society.
10. In order to obtain the ultimate goal—Heaven—we must obey. What is the key that will help us obey His commandments? See
John 14:15 15 If ye love me, keep my commandments.
LESSON INSPIRATION:
Love-driven – Love is a powerful force
Love fuels our devotion, commitment and spiritual strength
Love makes obedience easy and simple
Divine love is a capacity – it is not natural but spiritual
“True obedience is always a reflection of the heart’s love. Where obedience is dry, love is absent; where obedience is tender, love is present. God does not demand obedience as a mere rule, but as a fruit of the heart that loves Him. Love transforms obligation into service; without love, obedience is mere compliance.
Obedience without love is empty; love without obedience is incomplete. The depth of our love for God is measured by the willingness and joy with which we obey Him.”
Key Lessons:
Love is the motivator of obedience; it makes following rules or God’s commands a delight, not a burden.
Obedience without love is often forced, superficial, or resentful.
Love ensures that obedience is heartfelt, joyful, and transformative, benefiting both the believer and others.
True obedience reflects a personal relationship with God, not just fear of consequences.
KEY POINTS:
Heaven is the ultimate goal – if our living should not be in vain
The love of God is the key – Keep it alive and you will be motivated to obey all the time
SEARCH:
1) The key to obedience is love for Jesus
John 14:15 "If ye love me, keep my commandments."
Genuine obedience flows from a responsive love for Christ, not from mere obligation.
2) Love for Christ empowers
Romans 8:14 "For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God."
Galatians 5:16 "This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh."
The Holy Spirit’s work in us strengthens and enables ongoing obedience.
3) Renewing the mind to align with truth
Romans 12:2 "And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind..."
Obedience grows as our thinking is renewed by Scripture, aligning desires with God’s will.
4) Obedience as an expression of worship
Romans 12:1 "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service."
Colossians 3:17 "And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus..."
Everyday actions become acts of worship when done to please Christ.
Galatians 5:22-23 "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance..."
True obedience reveals a Spirit-produced character that reflects Jesus to others.
2 Corinthians 5:9 "Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him."
Keeping Heaven in view strengthens perseverance in obedience through trials and daily choices.
We desire a transformed world:
If you want a Brand New World you gotta have brand new people
And if you want brand new people you gotta have a brand new life,
And if you want a brand new life you gotta have a brand new spirit
And if you want a brand new spirit you gotta come to Jesus Christ.
CONCLUSION: JUST OBEY
Just as God who reigns on High
Spake to men in days gone by,
So the Lord is calling men today;
And, my brother this is true,
Whatso-e'er He says to you
There is but one thing to do, just obey
Chorus
Just obey, just obey,
Is the way, God's way;
When His message comes to you,
There is but one thing to do,
Just obey, just obey
Verse 2
If you're in the Saviour's hands,
You must do as He commands,
For there is no other gospel way;
Never put the message by,
Never stop to reason why,
When the Saviour speaks to you, just obey
Verse 3
If for mansions fair you sigh
In that land beyond the sky
After time with you has pass'd away;
Tho' the way you may not see,
Christ is calling ''Follow Me''
Faith and duty both will cry just obey
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