- INTRODUCTION
- If we comprehend the fact that all those who are disobedient to God will go to a lost eternity, we will realize how necessary it is for us to obey the Word of the Lord. It is important to be obedient to our parents and to those who have the rule over us. In so doing we are obeying the instructions given in Scripture. See Ephesians 6:1 and Hebrews 13:17.
- QUESTION
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- 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?
- Define obedience.
- 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?
- Our lesson says that fathers should not provoke their children to wrath. What do you think this means?
- Explain the meaning of bringing up children “in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.”
- How does Ephesians 6:5-6 apply to us today?
- 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?
- 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?
- 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?
- 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.
THEME THOUGHTS
The Apostle Peter, through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, has given us a formula. We read: “And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; and to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; and to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.” It is promised that “if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 1:5-8). With a promise such as this, we would do well to dig deep into the full meanings of these qualities. We, as Christians, must add them to our spiritual character so we can fulfill Christ’s charge to us to bring forth fruit.
It is possible that Peter presented these attributes in an intended progression. Taking these attributes as a basis for our quarter, we have included several others which are important to the development of Christian character.
As you study each of these lessons, be aware of how these attributes overlap and build on each other.