pdf/2008/Mapquest Wk3
Week 3 mapquest for life Obeying Traffic Signs “Is it what you know or what you do?” “It’s time to go back to your family and make amends.” Those words had been running through Maggie’s mind a dozen times a day ever since she had first heard them in the counselor’s office last week. Was now really the time to go back and try and reconnect with her family? It had been ten years. Ten years since that hate-filled night when things had gone so wrong and she had run away. Ten years since she’d had any contact with her mother, father and brother. Thinking back to the days leading up to her departure was difficult. She had been so rebellious, not caring about the rules her parents had tried to put in place. In fact her relationship with her parents had been strained for quite a while before she ran away. When had she stopped caring about what they said? She often wondered if she would have had a better relationship with them if she just would have listened once in a while. Had they been telling the truth when they told her they loved her and what they were asking her to do was for her own good? Now, looking back she questioned who had the twisted motives, her or her parents? “I’m going back to my family tonight,” Maggie whispered. Maggie’s relationship with her parents suffered because of her rebellion and disobedience. This makes sense to us. Disobey your parents enough and you will damage that relationship. What about our relationship with God? Does obedience play a part in the intimacy or closeness we have with God? This week we will look at passages that address obedience; what it looks like and the motivation behind it. When it comes to our spiritual development, we all need to know if obedience is the key to intimacy with God.
Week 3
Day One
Get Directions:
James 1:22-25
Starting Location
According to James, if we listen to “the word” (the Bible) without doing what it says, what are we doing to ourselves?
Road Signs
Why do you think James is making the distinction between what we know and what we do? Is there really that big of a difference between them? Give some examples.
Ending Location
Examine your own life and make a list of areas where you can improve when it comes to living out “what you know.”
Week 3
Day Two
Get Directions:
James 2:14-26
Starting Location
According to vs. 22 there are two things that work together. What are they? And what was made complete?
Road Signs
Day Three
Week 3
Get Directions: John 14:21-24 Starting Location
Jesus is speaking in this passage. Who does He say loves him?
Road Signs
Do you think it would have been enough for Abraham to just believe in God without being willing sacrifice Isaac? Why or why not? (See Genesis 22)
As a parent, teacher, or mentor what are your reasons for giving instructions to someone else? How does it make you feel to have your child, student or friend listen to your instructions?
Ending Location
Ending Location
Look at your list from the previous “Ending Location”. Now, write down some first steps that you can take.
Have you ever considered that God’s word, the Bible, is a set of loving instructions to His children? Write a prayer thanking God for His love and care.
Day Four
Week 3
Day Five
Get Directions: John 14:21-24
Get Directions: Matthew 28:16-20
Starting Location
Starting Location
Jesus replied, “If anyone ____________ _____________ he will obey my teaching.” And, “He who does not _____________ _____________ will
Week 3
This verse is known as the Great Commission. With these final instructions, Jesus tells his disciples to …?
not obey my teaching.
Road Signs Road Signs
Does it change the meaning of verse 20, if you remove the words “to obey”? Why do you think Jesus commanded them to teach others to obey His commands instead of just instructing them about His commands? What is the significance of obedience?
What should be our primary motivation for obeying God’s teaching? If we are not obeying God’s teaching, Jesus says we do not love Him. Do you agree with this statement or do you find it too extreme?
Ending Location
Obedience is very important because it demonstrates your love for God. Write a prayer asking God to help you see the areas in your life where you need to obey, just because you love Him.
Ending Location
Consider your love for God, and make a list of the ways that you have obeyed Him. Now make a list of the ways that you will obey Him in the future.
Read Genesis 22. Make observations about Abraham’s relationship w/God, Abraham’s obedience, and God responses. Based on Abraham’s story, what can you conclude is the relationship between obedience and intimacy with God?
Week 3
Day One
Get Directions:
James 1:22-25
Starting Location
According to James, if we listen to “the word” (the Bible) without doing what it says, what are we doing to ourselves?
Road Signs
Why do you think James is making the distinction between what we know and what we do? Is there really that big of a difference between them? Give some examples.
Ending Location
Examine your own life and make a list of areas where you can improve when it comes to living out “what you know.”
Week 3
Day Two
Get Directions:
James 2:14-26
Starting Location
According to vs. 22 there are two things that work together. What are they? And what was made complete?
Road Signs
Day Three
Week 3
Get Directions: John 14:21-24 Starting Location
Jesus is speaking in this passage. Who does He say loves him?
Road Signs
Do you think it would have been enough for Abraham to just believe in God without being willing sacrifice Isaac? Why or why not? (See Genesis 22)
As a parent, teacher, or mentor what are your reasons for giving instructions to someone else? How does it make you feel to have your child, student or friend listen to your instructions?
Ending Location
Ending Location
Look at your list from the previous “Ending Location”. Now, write down some first steps that you can take.
Have you ever considered that God’s word, the Bible, is a set of loving instructions to His children? Write a prayer thanking God for His love and care.
Day Four
Week 3
Day Five
Get Directions: John 14:21-24
Get Directions: Matthew 28:16-20
Starting Location
Starting Location
Jesus replied, “If anyone ____________ _____________ he will obey my teaching.” And, “He who does not _____________ _____________ will
Week 3
This verse is known as the Great Commission. With these final instructions, Jesus tells his disciples to …?
not obey my teaching.
Road Signs Road Signs
Does it change the meaning of verse 20, if you remove the words “to obey”? Why do you think Jesus commanded them to teach others to obey His commands instead of just instructing them about His commands? What is the significance of obedience?
What should be our primary motivation for obeying God’s teaching? If we are not obeying God’s teaching, Jesus says we do not love Him. Do you agree with this statement or do you find it too extreme?
Ending Location
Obedience is very important because it demonstrates your love for God. Write a prayer asking God to help you see the areas in your life where you need to obey, just because you love Him.
Ending Location
Consider your love for God, and make a list of the ways that you have obeyed Him. Now make a list of the ways that you will obey Him in the future.
Read Genesis 22. Make observations about Abraham’s relationship w/God, Abraham’s obedience, and God responses. Based on Abraham’s story, what can you conclude is the relationship between obedience and intimacy with God?
