CHILDREN STS LESSON 15 CONSEQUENCE OF ISRAEL’S PARTIAL OBEDIENCE
Text: Judges 1:1-36; 2:1-23
Obedience means following instructions or carrying out exactly what we are asked to do. Complete obedience means doing all we are asked to do at the right time without removing or adding anything. On the other hand, partial obedience means doing a part of what we are told to do as it is convenient for us.
The children of Israel were special people unto God, because He chose them to be a special nation unto Himself (Deuteronomy 7:6-8). He expected them to totally obey all His commandments. During the time of Joshua and the elders that lived after him, the children of Israel completely obeyed the Lord. After his death, the new generation turned away from the Lord and followed the way of the Canaanites and other idol-worshipping nations that their fathers refused to drive out. They did not destroy the gods of those nations as commanded by God when they came into the Promised Land. Their obedience was partial (Judges 1:27-33).
Obedience is important in our relationship with God. You are commanded to obey God’s word whether your godly parents and teachers are there or not. Never you choose which of God’s word to obey. There are many children today who have turned away from obeying the commandments of the Lord. They have forgotten all they have been taught on salvation, holiness and Christian virtues. God is calling such children to come back to Him. Make up your mind that you will fully obey the Lord.
1. Conquering Through Complete Obedience
Texts: Judges 1:1-18, Deuteronomy 28:1
After the death of Joshua, the children of Israel asked the Lord which tribe should lead them to go up to fight against the Canaanites. The Lord answered and told them to send Judah. God delivered the Canaanites and Perizzites into their hands. They won the victory because they obeyed the commandment of God which He gave them. When we obey the word of God, there is always victory and success for us.
God has given us His word. He has commanded us to obey Him in all things. Joseph, Samuel, Paul the Apostle and Timothy are examples of obedient children. Our Lord Jesus is our perfect Example of complete obedience. If you have not been obeying God, you can start by giving your life to Jesus. As a born-again child, God expects you to obey your parents, teachers, church leaders and those in authority.
2. Causes and Consequences of Partial Obedience
Texts: Judges 1:21-34; 2:11-23; 2 Corinthians 6:17; James 2:10
The children of Israel, having enjoyed victory over the enemy nations, began to depart from the commandments of God. Our God is a God that knows the end from the beginning. He sees and knows everything. When He gives you instructions and commandments, He demands unquestionable obedience. Partial obedience is the same as disobedience in the sight of God. It is mainly caused by sin in the life of a child. Other causes are self will, love of the world, hardness of heart and unwillingness to separate from worldly influences.
The children of Israel partially obeyed God when He told them to drive out those nations they met in the Promised Land (Jebusites, Canaanites, Amorites and others). If they failed to do so, these idolatrous nations would be a snare to them (Judges 1:27-33; 2:1-3). They disobeyed God and later began to copy the evil lifestyle of those nations and worshipped their idols. They neglected and rejected God’s commandments. They did not separate themselves from the vain practices of the Canaanites. Some boys and girls are like the children of Israel; they are following the things of the world as Demas did. God hates disobedience and will punish those who follow that way. Saul, the first king of Israel was rejected by God because of partial obedience (1 Samuel 15:22-23). The young prophet from Judah obeyed God partially, a lion killed him on the way (1 Kings 13:20-24).
Anybody with the attitude of partial obedience will:
- Be rejected by God like King Saul
- Face satanic oppressions
- Have unanswered prayers
- Be disappointed and fail in life
- At last, miss heaven and go to hell fire
Be an obedient child of God to avoid His punishment.
3. Countless Benefits of Complete Obedience
Texts: Isaiah 1:19, Deuteronomy 28:1-2
Whatever anybody does (good or bad), he will receive the reward. The disobedient will not receive any good thing from the Lord Jesus Christ. But the obedient child will be happy because God will release many blessings on him. Abraham obeyed God; he was blessed (Genesis 22:15-17). Moses obeyed the Lord; he was privileged to talk with the living God mouth to mouth (Numbers 12:7-8). Paul the apostle obeyed the heavenly vision of God to preach the gospel to the Gentiles. As a result, he found favour with God in the midst of trials (Acts 26:19-20).
The following benefits and more will be yours if you fully obey God:
- Victory over Satan and his agents
- Healing and divine health
- Success in all your academic pursuits
- Answers to prayers
- Everlasting life with Jesus in heaven
Sinful boys and girls cannot enjoy any of these benefits. For you to enjoy these blessings, you must accept Jesus as your Lord and personal Saviour. You can do that now.
Questions
- Partial obedience is ______
- Obeying some commandments instead of all is disobedience. True or False?
- Name two Bible characters that partially obeyed God. ______
- Mention three benefits of complete obedience.
- How can a sinful child obey God’s commandments? ______
Memory Verse
“And ye shall make no league with the inhabitants of this land; ye shall throw down their altars: but ye have not obeyed my voice: why have ye done this?” (Judges 2:2)
Lesson
Complete obedience is a mark of true faith in God.
Thought
I will always obey God in every area of my life.
Activity
Mention some areas children show incomplete obedience today.
Homework
Write in your homework book three people in the Bible that obeyed God partially.
Congregational Song
GHS 43 – TRUST AND OBEY
Choruses
- Obedience is the very best way to show that you believe.
- I live for Jesus.
- I will never let the devil win the battle.
Bible Word Search
Find the meaning of these words. You can use your dictionary:
- Partial
- Consequences
- Commandment
- Attitude
- Generation
