RCCG JUNIOR ZEAL FOR AGE 16-19 MANUAL 23 MARCH 2025

LESSON THIRTY (30)
TOPIC: OBEDIENCE
BIBLE TEXT: Matthew 7:24-27
[24]Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:
[25]And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.
[26]And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand:
[27]And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.
MEMORY VERSE: – Exodus 19:5. “Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine”.

INTRODUCTION: Οbedience stems from love for God. Jesus said in John 14:15, “If you love me, keep my commands.” Obedience is not merely about following rules but expressing love and devotion to God. Jesus Christ is the ultimate example of obedience. Philippians 2:8 describes Jesus’ obedience even unto death on the cross, highlighting his complete submission to the Father’s will. The Bible provides guidelines for righteous living. Psalm 119:105 declares, “Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.” Following God’s commands leads to blessings and a fulfilling life. Obedience requires surrendering personal desires and submitting to God’s authority. Galatians 2:20 speaks of crucifying the self and allowing Christ to live through believers.
OUTLINES
A. OBEDIENCE IS BETTER THAN SACRIFICE.
B. THE BLESSINGS OF OBEDIENCE.
A. OBEDIENCE IS BETTER THAN SACRIFICE.
i. Obedience reflects a heart aligned with God’s desires and purposes.
ii. Obedience reflects trust in God’s wisdom and sovereignty.
iii. God desires consistent obedience rather than sporadic acts of devotion. Jesus reaffirmed this principle in Luke 11:28,
iv. 1 Samuel 15, God commanded Saul to utterly destroy the Amalekites and all their possessions as judgment for their wickedness. However, Saul spared the Amalekite king, Agag, and the best of the livestock, contrary to God’s explicit instructions.
v. Sacrifice, in this context, refers to religious rituals and offerings prescribed by God in the Old Testament law. While sacrifices were essential components of worship, they were not meant to replace obedience to God’s commands. It is important that we prioritize obedience over religious rituals or outward acts of worship.
vi. Obedience demonstrates reverence, trust, and submission to God’s will above personal preferences or convenience.
vii. God values the condition of the heart more than external displays of piety. Proverbs 21:3. When obedience is lacking, sacrifices lose their significance. In Saul’s case, his disobedience resulted in God rejecting him as king over Israel (1 Samuel 15:23).
B. THE BLESSINGS OF OBEDIENCE.
Obedience to God’s commands brings various blessings to believers. Here’s a detailed exploration of these blessings:
i. Favor and Protection: Obedience to God’s commands often leads to His favor and protection. Deuteronomy 28:1-14 Psalm 91:1-16
ii. Peace and Joy: Obedience brings inner peace and joy. Isaiah 48:18 states that peace flows like a river to those who obey God’s commands. Jesus promised His disciples His joy if they obeyed His commandments (John 15:10-11).
iii. —————————————————. Psalm 32:8, Proverbs 3:6
iv. ————————————————— 1 Peter 2:2 Hebrews 5:9
v. Intimacy with God: Obedience deepens intimacy with God. John 14:21, James 4:8 encourages believers to draw near to God, and He will draw near to them.
vi. ————————————————— 1 John 3:22, James 5:16b
vii. ————————————————— Revelation 22:14
CONCLUSION: Obedience to God’s commands brings abundant blessings, including favor, protection, peace, joy, divine guidance, spiritual growth, intimacy with God, generational blessings, answered prayer, and eternal rewards. These blessings demonstrate the loving relationship between God and His obedient children and illustrate the wisdom and goodness of following His ways.
QUESTIONS:
1. What are the dangers of disobedience?
2. Consistent obedience to God, your parents and teacher can lead to what blessings?
DAILY DEVOTIONAL
Sunday: John 4:16-30
Monday: John 4:31-45
Tuesday: John 4:46-54
Wednesday: John 5:1-15
Thursday: John 5:16-30
Friday: John 5:31-47
Saturday: John 6:1-15