Eastertide
The Anatomy of Obedience
The word “obedience” means something radically different depending on how you understand the character of God. Is it a transaction to appease a distant diety… or an invitation to joy with a friend? It’s a difference we need to know.
1. Jesus tells us that he doesn’t call us servants, but rather friends. Servants obey from fear, but friends obey from love. Looking back on your faith journey, has your idea of obedience been driven more by fear or love? How is this changing in you?
2. Obedience begins with trusting that Jesus is calling us towards joy – even when this obedience runs against what we might want in the moment. Looking back, has there been a “no” from God that you later found to be an avenue for your joy and flourishing? Talk about it.
Justin: “I mentioned this book in my message a few weeks ago, and it’s one of the most helpful and fascinating things I’ve read in regards to spiritual growth in the last year or two. It unpacks why we often struggle to grow as followers of Jesus – not because of our lack of effort, but because we fail to take into account how our brains work. I highly recommend it!”