An Obedient Heart
December 8, 2024
The quiet hero of the Christmas story is a modest carpenter named Joseph. Unlike Mary, the angels, and Zachariah, there's no record of Joseph offering a song of praise during that first Christmas; yet, without his faithful obedience, there would have been nothing worth singing about. Whereas the wise men brought gifts, Joseph had no riches to present to Jesus, but his obedience carried more value than gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Join us for the second week of The Heart of Worship, where we’ll discover that our obedience represents the greatest form of our worship.
Passages
Matthew 1:18-25; Luke 2:1-7; Matthew 2:13-23;
Principle
##Obedience## is the highest expression of worship.
- Obedience is born from a ##personal## ##encounter## with God. (Matthew 1:18-25)
- Obedience requires ##humility##. (Luke 2:1-7)
- Obedience requires a ###decision##. (Matthew 2:13-23)
Practice
Determine how your worship will be expressed in acts of ##humble## ##obedience##.
- Has God used a “Joseph” to stand in the gap for you? What difference did their obedience make in your life?
- Has God already given you a direction that you are not following?
- What humble act of obedience will express your heart of worship this week?
Small Group Questions
Use this outline for personal reflection, as a couples or family devotion, or with a small group.
HANGOUT
People tend to fall into two categories regarding rules: followers and testers. Which one are you? How has this applied to your relationship with God?
HEAR
Read Matthew 21:12-27
- Why did Jesus overturn the tables in the temple? How did the chief priests and teachers of the law respond to Jesus (vs. 15-16)? Which seems to be the greater offense, selling things in the temple or children singing praise to Jesus?
- What do the religious leaders and the fig tree have in common?
- Why did the leaders question Jesus’ authority? When are you most likely to question Jesus’ authority?
Read Matthew 21:28-32
- Which son more closely describes you?
- Describe a situation in which your initial answer to God was “No,” but you later obeyed Him. What made you change your mind?
Read Matthew 21:33-46
- Who do the tenant farmers represent in this parable? Who is the landowner? What does the vineyard represent? Who is represented by the servants and the son?
- What similarities do you see between the religious leaders, the fig tree, the disobedient son, and the tenant farmers?
- How should we apply this parable today?
HUDDLE
Are you currently living in obedience to God? Why or why not? What is one thing you can do this week to be obedient to Him? Talk about it, invite accountability, and pray together.
Advent Calendar
Monday, December 9
Matthew 1:1-17
Reflect on the names listed in Jesus’ family tree. Thank God that He redeems our families from the curse of generational sin. Pray for your family members who do not know Jesus.
Tuesday, December 10
Matthew 1:18-25
Meditate on Joseph’s situation. Ask the Holy Spirit to show you how to worship Him through acts of humble obedience this week.
Wednesday, December 11
Matthew 2:13-23
Thank God for all the times He has protected and provided for you. Ask the Holy Spirit to give you ears to hear His voice and a faith that responds immediately.
Thursday, December 12
Luke 6:43-49
Ask God to forgive you for the times when you have denied His Lordship by ignoring His directions. Ask the Holy Spirit to empower you to walk in obedience this week.
Friday, December 13
Matthew 21:12-27
Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal anything in you that needs to be cleaned out so that you can be fully available to God. Ask God to fill you with the fruit of His Holy Spirit (see Galatians 5:22-23).
Saturday, December 14
Matthew 21:28-46
Meditate on the story of the two brothers and the parable of the tenants. Ask the Holy Spirit to speak to you through His word and commit to obeying Him no matter the cost.