Obedience and its Rewards – Basic 1 Christian Religious Studies Lesson Note (Third Term)

Obedience means doing what you are told, following instructions and submitting to authority. Obedience is done right away, completely, cheerfully and even when no one is watching. Its opposite is disobedience, which means refusing to obey or ignoring instructions. In this lesson, students learn why obedience matters, how Bible characters were rewarded for it, and how children can obey.

Behavioural objectives

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

• explain what obedience and disobedience mean;
• give reasons why obedience is important;
• name people in the Bible who obeyed God and state how each was rewarded;
• list ways children can show obedience at home, in school and in church.

What is obedience?

Obedience means:

• Doing what you’re told
• Following instructions
• Listening and obeying
• Submitting to authority
• Doing the right thing

Obedience is:

• Doing it right away (not delayed)
• Doing it completely (not halfway)
• Doing it cheerfully (not complaining)
• Doing it even when no one is watching

What is disobedience?

The opposite of obedience is disobedience:

• Refusing to obey
• Doing your own thing
• Rebelling
• Ignoring instructions

Why is obedience important?

1. God commands it
   • The Bible tells us to obey
   • It’s not optional
2. It pleases God
   • 1 Samuel 15:22 says “To obey is better than sacrifice”
   • God loves obedience
3. It brings blessings
   • Deuteronomy 28:1-2 lists many blessings for obedience
4. It protects us
   • Rules keep us safe
   • Obedience prevents harm
5. It shows love
   • John 14:15 says “If you love me, keep my commands”
   • Obedience demonstrates love
6. It builds character
   • Makes us better people
   • Develops discipline
7. It sets a good example
   • Others see and may follow
   • We influence people positively

Which people in the Bible obeyed God?

1. Noah

Story: Genesis 6-9

What God asked

• Build a huge ark (boat)
• Specific measurements
• Gather animals
• This seemed crazy, because no flood had ever happened before

Noah’s obedience

• Genesis 6:22 says “Noah did everything just as God commanded him”
• He obeyed completely
• He obeyed even when people mocked him
• He trusted God

The result

• God sent a flood
• Noah and his family were saved
• They were the only survivors
• God made a covenant with Noah

Reward for obedience

• His life was saved
• His family was saved
• He preserved life on earth
• God blessed him
• He became the father of all future generations

Lesson: Obey God even when it doesn’t make sense.

2. Abraham

Story: Genesis 22:1-19

What God asked

• Sacrifice his son Isaac
• This was the hardest test ever
• Isaac was the son he waited for
• Isaac was the promised child

Abraham’s obedience

• He got up early the next morning
• He prepared to obey
• He took Isaac to the mountain
• He was willing to do it

What happened

• Just as Abraham raised the knife
• God stopped him
• God said “Do not lay a hand on the boy”
• God provided a ram to sacrifice instead
• It was a test

Reward for obedience

• God blessed Abraham greatly
• God said “Because you have done this and have not withheld your son…I will surely bless you”
• His descendants became as numerous as the stars
• All nations were blessed through him
• Jesus came from Abraham’s line

Lesson: Obey God even when it’s very hard.

3. Moses

Story: Exodus 3-14

What God asked

• Go to Pharaoh
• Tell him to let God’s people go
• Lead the Israelites out of Egypt

Moses’ first response

• He made excuses
• “Who am I?”
• “What shall I tell them?”
• “They won’t believe me”
• “I can’t speak well”

But then he obeyed

• He went to Pharaoh
• He delivered God’s message
• He led the people
• He trusted God

Reward for obedience

• God performed miracles through him (10 plagues)
• He led God’s people to freedom
• He saw the Red Sea part
• God spoke to him face to face
• He received the Ten Commandments
• He became the greatest leader of Israel

Lesson: God will equip you when you obey.

4. Joshua

Story: Joshua 6

What God asked

• March around Jericho for 7 days
• Don’t attack, just march
• On the 7th day, march 7 times and blow trumpets
• Then the walls will fall

Why did this seem strange?

• That’s not how you conquer a city
• But Joshua obeyed

Joshua’s obedience

• He followed God’s instructions exactly
• For 7 days they marched
• On the 7th day, they shouted
• The walls fell down

Reward for obedience

• They conquered Jericho
• God fought for them
• They entered the Promised Land
• Joshua became a great leader

Lesson: Obey God’s way, not your own way.

5. David

Story: 1 Samuel 17

The situation

• Goliath, a giant, challenged Israel
• Everyone was afraid
• David, a young shepherd boy, volunteered

What David did

• He trusted God
• He refused the king’s armour
• He took his sling and stones
• He fought in God’s name
• He obeyed God’s call to fight

Reward for obedience

• He defeated Goliath
• He became a hero
• Later he became king
• He was called “a man after God’s own heart”
• Jesus came from David’s line

Lesson: Obey God even when you’re young.

6. Daniel

Story: Daniel 6

What God asked (indirectly)

• Keep praying to God
• Don’t stop worshipping

The challenge

• A law said people must pray only to the king
• Anyone who prayed to God would be thrown to the lions
• But Daniel kept praying three times a day

Daniel’s obedience

• He opened his windows toward Jerusalem
• He prayed as usual
• He was caught and thrown to the lions

Reward for obedience

• God shut the lions’ mouths
• He wasn’t hurt at all
• The king made a decree honouring God
• Daniel was promoted

Lesson: Obey God no matter the cost.

7. Mary (mother of Jesus)

Story: Luke 1:26-38

What God asked

• Mary would have a baby
• The Holy Spirit would conceive the child
• She was a virgin, so this was miraculous
• This could bring shame

Mary’s obedience

• She said “I am the Lord’s servant”
• “May your word to me be fulfilled”
• She trusted God completely

Reward for obedience

• She gave birth to Jesus
• He is the Saviour of the world
• She was blessed among all women
• She witnessed Jesus’ ministry
• She saw Him rise from the dead
• She is honoured forever

Lesson: Say yes to God’s call on your life.

8. The disciples

Story: Matthew 4:18-22

What Jesus asked

• “Follow me”
• Leave your jobs
• Leave your families
• Come with me

Their obedience

• Matthew 4:20 says “At once they left their nets and followed him”
• Immediate obedience
• They left everything

Reward for obedience

• They saw Jesus’ miracles
• They learned directly from Him
• They became apostles
• They changed the world
• Some of them wrote parts of the New Testament
• Their names are remembered forever

Lesson: Obey immediately.

What did these people do to show obedience?

1. They listened to God
   • Heard God’s voice
   • Paid attention
   • Understood what God wanted
2. They trusted God
   • Even when they didn’t understand
   • Even when it was difficult
   • Faith was key
3. They acted
   • They did not just hear, they did what God said
   • Took steps of obedience
   • Put faith into action
4. They obeyed completely
   • Did everything God said
   • Not partial obedience
   • Full obedience
5. They persevered
   • Kept obeying even when it was hard
   • Didn’t give up
   • Stayed faithful

What rewards did people receive for obeying God?

1. Salvation and protection
   • Noah and his family were saved
   • Daniel was protected from lions
2. Blessings
   • Abraham received great blessings
   • His descendants multiplied
3. Victory
   • Joshua conquered Jericho
   • David defeated Goliath
4. Honour and promotion
   • Joseph became second in Egypt (another story)
   • Daniel was promoted
   • David became king
5. Miracles
   • Moses saw the Red Sea part
   • Mary gave birth to Jesus miraculously
6. God’s presence
   • God spoke to Moses face to face
   • God was with David
7. Joy and peace
   • Obedience brings inner peace
   • They had no regrets
8. Eternal rewards
   • They’re in Heaven
   • They’re remembered in the Bible
   • Their legacy lives on
9. Influence
   • They changed history
   • People still learn from them
10. God’s favour
    • God called them His friends
    • They pleased God

How can children show obedience to God?

1. Obey your parents
   • This is God’s command (5th commandment)
   • Do what they say right away
   • Don’t complain
2. Obey your teachers
   • Listen in class
   • Follow school rules
   • Respect authority
3. Follow God’s commands
   • Don’t lie
   • Don’t steal
   • Be kind
   • Love others
4. Read the Bible
   • Learn what God says
   • Follow His instructions
5. Pray
   • Talk to God every day
   • Ask Him to help you obey
6. Go to church
   • Learn about God
   • Worship Him
   • Fellowship with believers
7. Be kind to others
   • Help people
   • Share your things
   • Forgive others
8. Tell the truth
   • Always be honest
   • Don’t lie even when it’s hard
9. Control your temper
   • Don’t hit or fight
   • Be patient
   • Stay calm
10. Do what’s right
    • Even when no one is watching
    • Even when it’s hard
    • Choose obedience

What is God’s promise to those who obey?

“If you love me, keep my commands” (John 14:15)

When you obey God:

• He will bless you
• He will protect you
• He will guide you
• He will reward you
• He will be pleased with you

Evaluation

Choose the correct answer.

1. Noah obeyed God by building an _____.
   • a) house
   • b) ark
   • c) altar
2. Abraham was willing to sacrifice his son _____.
   • a) Jacob
   • b) Joseph
   • c) Isaac
3. God protected Daniel in the _____ den.
   • a) lion’s
   • b) tiger’s
   • c) bear’s
4. Obedience means doing what you’re told _____.
   • a) slowly
   • b) right away
   • c) never
5. When we obey God, He _____ us.
   • a) ignores
   • b) punishes
   • c) blesses

Assignment

1. Obey your parents quickly all week without complaining.
2. Choose one person from the lesson and tell their story to your family.
3. Write: “To obey is better than sacrifice” (1 Samuel 15:22).
4. Pray and ask God to help you obey Him always.