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Session 2 – Moving Out: Obedience and the Promise of Christ’s Presence
When Jesus commands the going, He is not driving His people forward with pressure. He is inviting them to walk with Him in the work the Father has already begun. Obedience in Scripture is never detached from relationship. It flows from love, trust, and attentiveness to God’s Spirit. Jesus commands the going and promises His presence because obedience is meant to be lived in step with Him, not performed at a distance.
The the relationship–obedience connection is consistent throughout Scripture. When God called Moses, He did not demand flawless execution. He met Moses in weakness and fear and promised His presence: “I will certainly be with you” (Exod. 3:12). The same is true with Joshua and Jeremiah. They were not driven forward by force, but sustained by God’s nearness (Josh. 1:5–9; Jer. 1:8). Obedience was not frantic or forced, but responsive to God’s call and care.
Biblical obedience is not full-throttle activity disconnected from discernment. It is a posture of the heart that listens, trusts, and responds as God leads. It grows out of love for Christ and love for others. As we remain attentive to the Spirit and faithful within our actual context, obedience becomes a steady, grace-filled and desirable movement rather than a burden.
Core Theological Truth:
Obedience to Christ flows from relationship with Him and is sustained by His promised presence.
Putting This into Practice
Begin with understanding. Read Matthew 28:19–20 and consider how closely Jesus ties obedience to His presence. He does not send His people ahead of Him. He goes with them. Let that truth settle your thinking and shape your expectations.
Remember these points:
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Christ’s authority is the foundation of the commission.
Jesus begins by declaring that all authority in heaven and on earth belongs to Him. The mission flows from who He is and the authority He possesses. -
Believers are commissioned to make disciples.
The command is to make disciples by going, baptizing those who believe, and teaching them to obey all that Christ commanded. These actions describe the ongoing work of discipleship, not the means of salvation. -
Christ promises His abiding presence in the mission.
Jesus assures His followers that He will be with them always as they carry out His commission, sustaining and guiding their obedience.
Turn your heart toward trust. Scripture repeatedly calls God’s people away from fear and toward confidence in the Lord. Ask God to form in you a willing heart; one that desires to follow Him and cares deeply for those around you. Obedience grows where love is nurtured.
Practice faithfulness with clarity. Be prepared to speak the gospel simply and truthfully, but remain attentive to the Spirit’s leading. Faithful witness is neither rushed nor rigid. It is shaped by discernment, prayer, and love for the person before you. Remember these verses for guidance:
But set apart the Messiah as Lord in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you. However, do this with gentleness and respect, keeping your conscience clear...
1 Peter3:15-17
Move forward attentively. Walk where God has already placed you, remaining open to His direction. Obedience often looks like small, faithful steps taken in dependence on the Lord rather than dramatic acts performed under pressure.
Reflection Questions:
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How have you tended to view obedience—as pressure to perform or as a response of trust and love?
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What might it look like for you to walk in step with the Spirit as you seek to share the gospel?
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, forgive me where I have treated obedience as obligation rather than relationship. Shape my heart to love You deeply and to care for those You place around me. Teach me to walk attentively with Your Spirit, trusting Your presence as I follow You. Lead me in faithful obedience marked by grace, humility, and love. Amen.
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Previous Session: A Clear Gospel
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Next Session: Where God Has Placed You