Living in Obedience

Ice breaker: “Have you ever been told by a parent or teacher to do something you didn’t understand—but they said, ‘Just trust me and do it’?” (Show of hands.)

In the city, everything runs on explanations. We want receipts, reasons, timelines. But faith often begins not with “I fully get it,” but with “I will obey.”

Rhetorical question: If God asked you for something that confused you—would you still say, “Yes, Lord”?

Background of the Text

Genesis 22 comes after Abraham’s long journey of promise and waiting. Isaac is not just a child; he is the child of covenant hope. Then, suddenly, God “tests” Abraham. The Hebrew word is נִסָּה (nissah)—a test not meant to destroy him, but to reveal what is real, like fire refining gold.

In verse 1, Abraham answers God with the Hebrew word הִנֵּנִי (hineni): “Here I am.” It means more than “I’m present.” It means: “I am available, ready, yielded.” Obedience is not only a behavior; it is a posture of the heart that says, “Lord, I belong to You.”

Short Spiritual Story (Illustration)

A teenager moved to a new school. In that school, cheating was normal—answers were shared through a group chat. One day he was invited into the chat. He was afraid: if he refused, he might lose friends. He prayed, “Lord, I want to obey, but I’m scared.” He left the group and kindly said, “I can’t be part of this.” At first, people mocked him. But a few weeks later, two classmates messaged privately: “Honestly, I’ve felt guilty too. Can we study with you?” Obedience can feel costly at first, but God often uses your obedience to bless others.

I. Obedience Begins with a Heart that Answers God (Gen. 22:1–3)

God calls, “Abraham!” and Abraham answers, hineni—“Here I am.” Then comes a command that feels unbearable. Notice: Abraham does not build a long argument. He rises early and prepares.

• Obedience is not a mood; it is a decision. Abraham obeys “early in the morning.” He doesn’t wait until obedience feels easy.
• Obedience touches what we love most. The text emphasizes: “your son… your only… whom you love.” God addresses the center of Abraham’s heart.
• Obedience grows out of relationship, not mere rules. Abraham has walked with a faithful God before.

Supporting cross-references:

• 1 Samuel 15:22 — To obey is better than sacrifice. God wants surrendered hearts, not empty rituals.
• Proverbs 3:5–6 — Trust the Lord, don’t lean on your own understanding; He will make your paths straight.

Application for urban teens: Your obedience is often proven in “small” things: honesty during exams, integrity in group projects, keeping your word, controlling your tongue in chats, refusing gossip and online cruelty.

Transition to Point II: But what happens when obedience feels like climbing a mountain with no map—when you don’t know how it ends? That’s when obedience must walk hand in hand with faith.

II. Obedience Keeps Walking When We Don’t Understand Everything (Gen. 22:4–6)

Verse 4 says, “On the third day….” Three days of travel—three days of thoughts, fears, and questions. Abraham carries fire and knife. Isaac carries the wood. The Hebrew word for burnt offering is עֹלָה (olah), meaning something that “goes up”—fully surrendered, completely offered.

• Obedience often includes a waiting space. Days 1–3 are the hallway of wrestling. God does not always give instant explanations.
• Obedience means carrying “wood.” There is weight to choices: ending a toxic relationship, quitting pornography, confessing a lie, asking forgiveness, building spiritual discipline.
• Obedience requires focus. Abraham leaves some people behind and moves closer to where God directs.

Supporting cross-references:

• Hebrews 11:17–19 — Abraham obeys because he believes God’s power is greater than logic—even able to raise the dead.
• James 2:21–24 — Faith works with actions; obedience shows faith is alive and growing.

Application for teens: When your parents are busy working and you have more freedom, your obedience is tested. Who is “watching” your life? Not only teachers, not only CCTV, not only parents—God calls your name and sees your private choices.

Transition to Point III: Then Isaac asks the most honest question—often the question in our own hearts: “If I obey… will God really provide?”

III. Obedience Trusts the God Who Provides (Gen. 22:7–8)

Isaac asks, “Where is the lamb?” The Hebrew word is שֶׂה (seh)—a lamb for the offering. And Abraham answers with faith: “God will provide for Himself the lamb….”

Here we meet the character of God as the Provider. Later in the chapter (v.14), this becomes the name יְהוָה יִרְאֶה (YHWH Yireh), which can mean “The LORD will see / will provide.” God doesn’t merely notice your need; He acts in His timing.

• Obedience is not blind; it is anchored in God’s character.
• Obedience speaks faith in uncertainty. Abraham doesn’t say, “I have no idea.” He says, “God will provide.”
• Obedience shapes the next generation. Isaac learns who God is by watching his father’s response.

Supporting cross-references:

• Romans 12:1–2 — Offer your body as a living sacrifice; this is true worship and transformed living.
• Philippians 2:8 — Jesus obeyed to the point of death; His obedience becomes our salvation and our model.
• John 1:29 — Jesus is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world; God truly provides the way of rescue.

Application for teens: When you obey, God may not always make life “easier,” but He will always be “with you” and “enough for you.” Obedience in purity, friendships, screen boundaries, worship faithfulness, prayer discipline—these are daily ways of saying: “God is better than instant pleasure.”

Creative Activities / Games (Personal & Group)

• “Trust Walk” (Group): Pair up. One person closes their eyes (safely), the other guides them through a simple route. Afterwards ask: “When was it hardest to trust? What helped you?” Connect it to Abraham walking without seeing the ending.
• “My Altar Today” (Personal): Hand out small paper shapes like pieces of wood. Ask each teen to write one area where obedience is hardest this week (honesty, forgiveness, quitting a habit, purity, discipline). Fold it, pray, and keep it inside their Bible as a reminder.
• 7-Day Obedience Challenge (Follow-up): Each day choose one act of obedience: read one chapter, apologize, refuse lying, help at home, avoid explicit content, pray for a friend. Next week share for two minutes.

Closing (Call to Real Response)

Teens, obedience is not a way to “buy” God’s love—you are already loved in Christ. Obedience is the response of someone who trusts that love.

Invitation: Today, God may be calling your name. Will your answer be hineni—“Here I am, Lord”?

• If you’re trapped in a secret sin, your response is: come to Jesus.
• If you already know what needs to change, your response is: take the first obedient step today.
• If you fear losing something, your response is: trust God as Yireh—the One who provides what is best.

Poetic Ending + “Pantun” (English Rhyme)

On a silent mountain, faith learns to speak. In heavy steps, God’s love is never late. Obedience is not loss—obedience is discovering that God is enough.

Pantun-style rhyme:
Walking to school with books in hand,
Hold on to truth when nights are long.
Obey the Lord where you now stand,
And your life will sing a blessing song.

Short prayer: “Lord, teach us to say hineni. Strengthen us to obey at school, at home, and when no one is watching. We trust You as Yireh—the God who provides. In Jesus’ name, amen.”