Bible Study

Our SuperTruth today is: “I will obey God, even when it’s hard.” Abraham obeyed God even though it was incredibly difficult. Let’s dig into some more examples where others obeyed God, even when it was hard.

Have children look up and read the verses aloud. Lead a discussion using the questions below. Feel free to add any questions that you think will facilitate deeper discussion with your particular group.

1. Peter and Andrew—Matthew 4:18–20:

¹⁸ One day as Jesus was walking along the shore of the Sea of Galilee, He saw two brothers—Simon, also called Peter, and Andrew—throwing a net into the water, for they fished for a living. ¹⁹ Jesus called out to them, “Come, follow Me, and I will show you how to fish for people!” ²⁰ And they left their nets at once and followed Him.

• What did Jesus ask Peter and Andrew to do? Follow Him so He could teach them to fish for men—or preach the Gospel.
• What do you think made this a difficult request to obey? He asked them to leave their jobs and family immediately. That’s how they made a living. They did not know Jesus.
• How did Peter and Andrew respond? They obeyed Jesus and left immediately.
• Why do you think they chose to obey? Did they see or sense something different about Jesus? Were they convinced He was the Messiah?

2. Jesus—Matthew 26:36–46:

³⁶ Then Jesus went with them to the olive grove called Gethsemane, and He said, “Sit here while I go over there to pray.”³⁷He took Peter and Zebedee’s two sons, James and John, and He became anguished and distressed. ³⁸He told them, “My soul is crushed with grief to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with Me.” ³⁹He went on a little farther and bowed with His face to the ground, praying, “My Father! If it is possible, let this cup of suffering be taken away from Me. Yet I want Your will to be done, not Mine.” ⁴⁰Then He returned to the disciples and found them asleep. He said to Peter, “Couldn't you watch with Me even one hour? ⁴¹Keep watch and pray, so that you will not give in to temptation. For the spirit is willing, but the body is weak!” ⁴²Then Jesus left them a second time and prayed, “My Father! If this cup cannot be taken away unless I drink it, Your will be done.” ⁴³When He returned to them again, He found them sleeping, for they couldn’t keep their eyes open. ⁴⁴So He went to pray a third time, saying the same things again. ⁴⁵Then He came to the disciples and said, “Go ahead and sleep. Have your rest. But look—the time has come. The Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. ⁴⁶Up, let’s be going. Look, My betrayer is here!”

• In verses 36–38, what did Jesus ask some of His closest followers to do? Watch to support Him while He prayed.
• Did they obey Jesus and support Him?  No, they fell asleep three times.
• In verses 37–38, describe Jesus’ condition and feelings. Anguished, distressed—His soul was crushed with grief to the point of death.
• What was Jesus praying about that was so hard?  Doing God’s will when it meant He would suffer and die. He knew His time was near to be arrested, persecuted, and crucified on the cross. He didn’t want to do this in His flesh, but He wanted to obey God’s will more!
• How do you think you would feel being Jesus and having your closest followers not be there for you? Feel alone, hurt that the very ones I was about to die for couldn’t stay awake.
• Did Jesus ultimately obey even though it was hard? Yes, completely.
• What was Jesus’ reward for His obedience?  God raised Him from the dead—He sits at the right hand of the Father now, He is the King of kings and Lord of lords, He has the Name above all names. He defeated the devil and death! He paid the price for our sins and secured salvation for everyone who believes. 

3. Joshua—Joshua 24:1,14–15:

¹ Then Joshua summoned all the tribes of Israel to Shechem, including their elders, leaders, judges, and officers. So they came and presented themselves to God...¹⁴ “So fear the Lord and serve Him wholeheartedly. Put away forever the idols your ancestors worshiped when they lived beyond the Euphrates River and in Egypt. Serve the Lord alone. ¹⁵But if you refuse to serve the Lord, then choose today whom you will serve. Would you prefer the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates? Or will it be the gods of the Amorites in whose land you now live? But as for me and my family, we will serve the Lord.”

The Israelites had turned their back on God. God spoke to the people through Joshua, their leader. Joshua challenged them to make a choice who they would serve—idols or God.

• Who did Joshua confront and challenge? Leaders, judges, officers, elders, and every tribe of Israel.
• Why was God angry with Israel? They rebelled against God and worshiped idols.
• What did Joshua challenge them to do? Choose that day whom they would serve.
• How did Joshua obey God in a hard time? He confronted the sin of all the people including spiritual leaders and judges! He chose God first, not waiting for the majority’s opinion or the popular choice. He was bold in his choice of service to God! 
• Is it difficult to obey God when those around you don’t—why or why not? 
• If you lived in Bible times and were challenged by Joshua, what would you say? Would you wait to see what the others chose, or would you be one of the first to boldly commit to obeying God even though it might be hard? 
• How do you think Joshua could make such a bold statement? He was fully persuaded, convinced that God was the only true God! He knew God called Him to lead and was not afraid of people.