Date: November 13, 2022
Obey God’s Word
The Point: We display the truth and value of God’s Word as we live it out.
Get Into the Study
Use the following information to introduce Question #1.
This summer, Education Week published advice for new teachers who were about to start the school year. They asked veteran teachers to give new teachers a piece of advice in five words or less. Here is some of the advice those veteran teachers shared:
- “Always have a backup plan!!!”
- “Be prepared, firm, and consistent.”
- “Don’t compare yourself to others.”
- “You. Can’t. Do. It. All.”
- “Find the fun in it.”
- “Learn to ask for help.”
- “Custodians are your best friend.”
Say: The advice given to new teachers might be applied in many situations. Across the years, you’ve probably heard plenty of advice, some good and not-so-good. Then call attention to Question #1 (What’s a piece of good advice people often ignore?) and invite volunteers to respond.
Information for this post was gleaned from:
Study the Bible
Use the following information to introduce Question #3.
When Hurricane Ian hit Florida on September 28, Southern Baptists went to work. As of October 13, Southern Baptist Disaster Relief had prepared almost 500,000 meals for people impacted by the storm. Eleven local Florida Baptist churches in the areas affected by the storm opened up their buildings to house volunteers who have come from across the country to work in the recovery efforts. These Southern Baptist Disaster Relief volunteers are providing tear out, clean up, and mold remediation on flooded homes. They are removing debris, using chainsaws to remove downed trees, and installing temporary roofing. “People won’t necessarily remember your name, but they will remember that someone cared enough even in the midst of a disaster,” said Valerie Cook, one of the volunteer workers.
Say: These volunteers helping people impacted by the hurricane have moved beyond being just hearers of God’s Word. They are doers too. Then call attention to Question #3 (What helps us move beyond just being hearers of God’s Word?) and invite volunteers to respond.
Information for this post was gleaned from:
Donna McKinney wrote these Leader Extras. Donna is retired from a career with the federal government of the United States. She is a veteran Bible study group leader living in North Carolina.
Additional Questions
Icebreaker
- What’s one trivial thing you know you “should” do that you never (or only rarely) do?
- What piece of good advice do you often fail to follow?
- What was your parents’ favorite phrase or gesture when you didn’t do what they said?
James 1:19-21
- How does being slow to speak help in crises?
- What does being slow to speak look like?
- Which is these actions seems to be most absent in our culture?
James 1:22-25
- What are some mirrors that have helped you live an obedient life?
- What helps us to move beyond being hearers only of God’s Word?
- What are some excuses people give for delayed obedience to God?
James 1:26-27
- What opportunities do we have to help the powerless and vulnerable in our community?
- What are some consequences of not having our words and actions aligned?
For Those in Your Group
Send the following link to your group members as either a teaser before the group meets or as a follow-up thought:
Delayed Obedience is Disobedience
Podcast
Click here for a 20-minute podcast for both the group member and the leader.
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Disobedience carries a high price, but the blessings of obedience are without number.