Discovering God Through Jesus: Obedience – Basic 1 Christian Religious Studies Lesson Note (Second Term)

To obey means to do what someone tells you, follow instructions and follow rules. Jesus is our perfect example of obedience. He obeyed His parents, obeyed God’s Word, obeyed even when it was hard, and obeyed even to death. Obeying brings blessing, safety, peace and trust.

Behavioural objectives

By the end of the lesson, students should be able to:

• Say what obey and disobedience mean.
• Tell four ways Jesus showed obedience.
• Name people we should obey.
• Say when we should not obey a person.

What does “obey” mean?

Obey means:

• To do what someone tells you
• To follow instructions
• To listen and do
• To follow rules

Examples of obedience

• Mummy says “Clean your room” and you do it.
• The teacher says “Sit down” and you sit.
• The Bible says “Do not lie” and you tell the truth.

What is disobedience?

Disobedience is the opposite of obedience. It means not listening, doing what you want instead, or breaking rules.

How did Jesus show obedience?

Bible quotations in this note are from the NIV.

1. Jesus obeyed His parents

Jesus lived at home with Mary and Joseph when He was a boy. He listened to them and did what they said. Luke 2:51 says He “was obedient to them”.

Lesson: Even Jesus, the Son of God, obeyed His earthly parents.

2. Jesus obeyed God’s Word

When the devil tempted Jesus in the desert, Jesus did not give in. He said “It is written…” and used God’s Word (Matthew 4:1-11).

Lesson: We should obey the Bible, just like Jesus did.

3. Jesus obeyed even when it was hard

In the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus knew He would suffer and die. He prayed, “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done” (Luke 22:42).

Lesson: We should obey even when it is hard.

4. Jesus obeyed even to death

Jesus came to earth to save us. He obeyed God’s plan completely and died on the cross for our sins. Philippians 2:8 says He “humbled himself by becoming obedient to death”.

Lesson: True obedience means going all the way.

What did Jesus teach about obedience?

Jesus said, “If you love me, keep my commands” (John 14:15). We show our love for Him by obeying.

Jesus also told a story about two sons (Matthew 21:28-31):

• A father told both sons to work in the vineyard.
• The first son said “no” but later went and worked.
• The second son said “yes” but did not go.
• Jesus asked, “Which of the two did what his father wanted?” The answer was the first son.

Lesson: It is not enough to say “yes”. We must do it.

What are the benefits of obedience?

• God is pleased. He blesses us when we obey.
• We stay safe. Rules, such as traffic rules, protect us from danger.
• We have peace. Obedience brings peace of mind. Disobedience brings guilt and worry.
• We are trusted. Parents and teachers trust children who obey.
• We show love. We obey because we love God.

Who should we obey?

When should we not obey a person?

We should not obey if someone tells us to:

• Sin against God
• Hurt ourselves or others
• Do something the Bible says is wrong

In such cases, we obey God rather than people (Acts 5:29). Tell a parent, teacher or another trusted adult.

How can we be obedient like Jesus?

1. Listen carefully. Pay attention.
2. Obey right away. Do not delay.
3. Obey completely. Do everything you are asked.
4. Obey cheerfully. Do not complain.
5. Obey when no one is watching. God sees everything.
6. Ask for help. If you do not understand, ask for the instruction to be explained.
7. Pray for strength. Ask God to help you obey.

Bible verse to remember

“Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord” (Colossians 3:20)

Evaluation

Choose the correct answer.

1. Obey means to _____ instructions.
   • a) ignore
   • b) follow
   • c) reject
2. Jesus obeyed His _____.
   • a) friends
   • b) parents
   • c) enemies
3. When we obey, God _____ us.
   • a) forgets
   • b) punishes
   • c) blesses
4. Jesus said “If you love me, _____ my commands.”
   • a) break
   • b) keep
   • c) forget
5. If a person tells us to do something wrong, we should obey _____.
   • a) God
   • b) that person
   • c) our friends

Answer key

1. b) follow. 2. b) parents. 3. c) blesses. 4. b) keep. 5. a) God.

Assignment

1. Say Colossians 3:20 from memory.
2. Name two ways Jesus showed obedience.
3. Complete: Jesus was obedient even to _____. (a) birth, (b) death, (c) sleep
4. Draw Jesus at home with Mary and Joseph, obeying them.

Answer key

1. “Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord.” 2. Any two of: He obeyed His parents, He obeyed God’s Word, He obeyed when it was hard, He obeyed even to death. 3. b) death. 4. Drawing of Jesus with Mary and Joseph at home.