We are Disciples in training! We believe we are called to answer and fulfil the command of the Great Commission of Matthew 28: 16-20. We understand that Jesus spoke with “all the authority of heaven and on earth” ….” Go” he said “And make disciples of all nations!”
We remember too, that we are in the season of Lent; we are on a journey of prayer, fasting and generosity that leads to the Cross of Jesus.
This week we work with the call to “Go…in Obedience!”
Bible Reading
Genesis 2: 15-17, 3:1-7
15 The Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to till it and keep it. 16And the Lord God commanded the man, ‘You may freely eat of every tree of the garden; 17but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall die.’
The First Sin and Its Punishment
1 Now the serpent was more crafty than any other wild animal that the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, ‘Did God say, “You shall not eat from any tree in the garden”?’ 2The woman said to the serpent, ‘We may eat of the fruit of the trees in the garden; 3but God said, “You shall not eat of the fruit of the tree that is in the middle of the garden, nor shall you touch it, or you shall die.”’ 4But the serpent said to the woman, ‘You will not die; 5for God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.’ 6So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate; and she also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate. 7Then the eyes of both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together and made loincloths for themselves.
The New Revised Standard Version (Anglicized Edition), copyright 1989, 1995
Discussion
- Read the story carefully, take note of the order in which the events occur.
- What is the name of the tree Adam and Eve are not to eat the fruit of? Why do you think Adam and Eve not allowed to eat this fruit?
- A major point of the story is that disobedience to God is sin. Sin changes the relationship with God and leads to spiritual death. Do you agree?
- “A life of obedience to God enables us to live within God’s plan, within God’s purpose, and within God’s vision for us. Disobedience means we step out of this life-giving reality of God with us – we then go it alone!” Do you agree with this statement? Why?
Bible Reading
Matthew 4: 1-11
The Temptation of Jesus
1 Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. 2 He fasted for forty days and forty nights, and afterwards he was famished. 3 The tempter came and said to him, ‘If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread.’ 4 But he answered, ‘It is written, “One does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.”’ 5 Then the devil took him to the holy city and placed him on the pinnacle of the temple, 6 saying to him, ‘If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down; for it is written, “He will command his angels concerning you”, and “On their hands they will bear you up, so that you will not dash your foot against a stone.”’ 7 Jesus said to him, ‘Again it is written, “Do not put the Lord your God to the test.”’ 8 Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendour; 9 and he said to him, ‘All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me.’ 10 Jesus said to him, ‘Away with you, Satan! for it is written, “Worship the Lord your God, and serve only him.”’ 11 Then the devil left him, and suddenly angels came and waited on him.
The New Revised Standard Version (Anglicized Edition), copyright 1989, 1995
Discussion
- The Holy Spirit led Jesus into the desert into a time of crisis! What does this mean? Surely the Holy Spirit was there to protect Jesus and not put him in harm’s way?
- Have you ever felt that the Holy Spirit led you into a crisis place in your life? If so, what happened and how did you deal with the event?
- The devil tried to unnerve Jesus by “getting into his head” with words like “If you are the Son of God…”! What technique did Jesus use to successfully confront Satan in those moments?
- Has the devil ever used a time of crisis in your life against you, where you were left doubting your self-identity? If so, were you able to stand firm in your faith?
- How obedient are you to God’s plan and instructions for your life?
Thoughts for the Week
- Obedience is the mortar that holds all the building blocks of the Kingdom in correct alignment with God’s Will, with God’s Plan, and in terms of God’s purpose [think of a well-built brick wall].
- Obedience and faith are tested in times of pressure and crisis and in the storms of life [e.g. Jesus in the desert].
- Lent is the time to think, to pray, to act – in Obedience!