Bethel Community Church Orlando Bethel Community Church Orlando

God’s Design is that we’d love Him with all of our heart, soul, and mind. One of the first steps to living in God’s Design is obedience. Obedience is difficult. Our natural instinct is to do what we feel and think is right. Each of us must submit ourselves to God’s authority and obey His commands. Jesus was obedient to His Father, even to the point of death. But His death took the punishment for our sins and can grant us forgiveness for our disobedience.

Christians are called to be servants first and second to serve. We are called to a life of servanthood that leads to loving acts of service for our Savior. Serving flows from the heart of a servant. Serving doesn’t make you a servant; but if you are a servant, you will serve.

We can learn from David's example with King Saul that God wants us to respect authority even if they haven't earned it. Learning to respect authority starts in the home. However, respect for authority reaches all of us through managers, teachers, and government leaders. It's our sin nature to rebel against authority, but God's design is for us to respect those in authority over us.

Ephesians 4 highlights "Four Rules for Communication" which encourage us in how we should speak and communicate in all of our relationships. These rules are good for both preventing and solving problems. 

As parents implement Deuteronomy 6:4-9, it's important for them to realize that a child's understanding of their need for salvation in Christ looks differently at various stages of development. Young children are being introduced to the concepts of sin through right and wrong. Older children are introduced to grace and forgiveness through their desire for fairness. No matter the stage of development and understanding, parents can still teach their children how to love the Lord their God with all their heart, and with all their soul, and with all their might.

Last week we looked at Deuteronomy 6:4-9 and how those verses apply to God’s design for the family. This week we'll practically apply these verses to teaching and showing others God's love and His design for our lives.