Values

Clarification
Bible Study
by: Rev. Roberto V. Bautista
UTS-MMin Professor:
Rev Dr Homer Wesley Refuerzo
Bible Study Lesson Title: OBEDIENT

1. Definition:
The state or quality of being  obedient. the act or practice of  obeying;
dutiful or submissive compliance: The  bible also talks a lot
about obedience as it is seen in many scriptures.  

In its simpler Old Testament meaning the word signifies "to hear," "to
listen." It carries with it, however, the ethical significance of hearing with
reverence and obedient assent.

In the New Testament a different origin is suggestive of "hearing under" or

of subordinating one's self to the person or thing heard, hence, "to obey."
2. Background: “Birds”

FaceBook Post by Angelo

Siongco (Click link below)
https://www.facebook.com/10000
5490348077/videos/1461072317
419099/
3. Analysis:

Observation #1: THE BIRDS KNEW WHO THEIR

OPPONENTS OR ENEMIES ARE — It is amazing to
see that the birds knew who they are up against. The
two yellow-colored birds are competing with the two
other birds (Blue and Green-colored) trying to shoot the
ball. The birds’ team-up with each other trying to beat
the other team by scoring as many points as possible
to their respective baskets.

Question: Like the birds, who do you think are our

opponents or enemies as Christians?
3. Analysis:

Observation #2: THE BIRDS WERE REWARDED

FOR OBEDIENT TO THE RULES OF THE GAME — I
have also observed that they were being rewarded by
“pellets” (bird seeds) every time they were able to
accomplish a good shot. This was perhaps one of their
motivation to continue to do well and be obedient to the
rules.

Question: Like the birds, are we also being awarded if

we are obedient to what the Lord would want us to do?
3. Analysis:

Observation #3: THE BIRDS KNEW WHAT THEIR

GOAL IS — It was also remarkably interesting to see
how the birds were shoving their way to make those
important shots. They know how to move offensively
and defensively as well. These birds knew what their
main goal is and have shown to us that they will try
everything to attain their goal.

Question: Like the birds, what is our goal as

Christians?
4. Synthesis:

Introduction: As I was watching this short videoclip, it reminded me of Gods

wonderful creations. It was surprising to see these birds playing basketball
and obviously showing how competitive they are. They even know that the
main objective of this game is to shoot that ball to a particular goal. My first
comment was — “Wow”! And then I reflected on the verses where the Lord
first mentioned the birds and what were the first intentions of the Lord for this
beautiful living creatures.

Genesis 1:21-22 (NIV)

“So, God created the great creatures of the sea and every living thing with which the
water teems and that moves about in it, according to their kinds, and every winged
bird according to its kind. And God saw that it was good. God blessed them and
said, “Be fruitful and increase in number and fill the water in the seas,
and let the birds increase on the earth.”
4. Synthesis:

Initial Discussion Point: As I was watching this short videoclip, it reminded

me of Gods wonderful creations. It was surprising to see these birds playing
basketball and obviously showing how competitive they are. Surprising
because we see that these birds somehow knew their respective courts and
teammates. They even know that the main objective of this game is to shoot
that ball to a particular goal. My first comment was — “Wow”! And then I
reflected on the verses where the Lord first mentioned the birds and what
were the first intentions of the Lord for this beautiful living creatures. Genesis
chapter 1, verse 2 can be considered the very first command that the Lord
instructed all the living creatures. In the last statement of this verse the Lord
said — “And let the birds increase on the earth” … and increase they did!
This is one example of another “Wow” story for even these creatures
obediently followed what God wanted them to do. A manifestation that in the
beginning, being obedient to God already did exist.
4. Synthesis:

Question: Why is it important to know who are enemies are?

I remember the famous quote of the Chinese military strategist/philosopher,
Sun Tzu that says — “If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need
not fear the result of a hundred battles. If you know yourself but not
the enemy, for every victory gained you will also suffer a defeat. If
you know neither the enemy nor yourself, you will succumb in every battle”.
This may be a military tactical thinking, but this can also relate to us and in
every war that we face today. We may not be in a physical war, but the Bible
tells us that we are still at war not with flesh and blood but with the spiritual
forces of evil (Ephesians 6:11-12). So, it is important that we know who
our enemies or opponents just like the birds in the videoclip so that we
can prepare ourselves when we face them and be victorious in the end.
Everything that keeps us away from God is our enemy and we have to
always pray that He will give us the discernment to always be aware of
the forces of evil surrounding us.
4. Synthesis:

Question: How are we rewarded if we are obedient to God?

As human beings, we must thank God that He has has rewarded us
differently from that of any creature. He sent His son Jesus (John 3:16) so
that we can forever be free from the bondage of sin accepting us as His own.
It is also by accepting Christ as our Lord and Saviour that we became
prepared for this Spiritual battle. And because we accepted Jesus Christ in
our hearts, these are some of the rewards that God has prepared for us.
 Jesus came into the world to bring us to his Father. ("Jesus said to
him, 'I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the
Father except through Me." - John 14:6)
 He died in our place to pay the penalty for our sin. ("For Christ also
suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might
bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive
by the Spirit." - 1 Peter 3:18)
4. Synthesis:

Question: What do you think is our main goal as believers?

- As obedient as the birds, I am hopeful that as Christians, it should now be
noticeably clear to each of us that OUR GOAL IS TO CONTINUE THE
MISSION OF GOD (Missio Dei). We should focus on the 3 important task
given by God to us that we should obey:
 Making Disciples of Jesus Christ by obedience to the Great
Commission (Matthew 28:19-20)
 Intentional and active participation in Holistic Reconciliation
(Colossians 1:20)
 Spreading Biblical Holiness through Social Relevance (Matthew
22:37-40; 5:13-16)
5. Resolution:

I am sure also that we would all be familiar with the ‘Great

Commission’ — the command of Jesus telling us to “go into all the
world…” That is our call to take part in the mission. It is an honour
that we can work with God as co-labourers in the great co-mission to
tell and show people the good news of God’s redemption story and
how it applies to them today. Often, we assume the call to ‘go’ is a
call to ‘workers’ only. A call to those who will go and serve in the far-
flung corners of our societies, but the mission of God is too important
to leave to workers alone. It is not just a mission for others, it is a co-
mission with God and us. It is a personal call to each of us.
5. Resolution:

The obedience shown by those who have come

before us should be an inspiration for us to continue
to take part in this Mission. All the creatures
mentioned in Genesis obeyed what God commanded
(Genesis 1:21-22) and even the birds that we saw in
the videoclip were able to be taught what they should
do and were able follow and attain what they were
tasked to do, these are reasons enough why we
should also be able to obey what God has planned
for each of us.