TRUE WORSHIP CAN’T HAPPEN WITHOUT OUR OBEDIENCE. 

SCRIPTURE | Joshua 24:14-25 

CENTRAL TRUTH 

God wants our full heart, our full worship, and our full obedience. 

KEY QUESTION 

CAN WE WORSHIP GOD WITHOUT OBEYING HIM? HOW DOES OUR UNDERSTANDING OF WORSHIP AND OBEDIENCE NEED TO CHANGE? 

KEEP IN MIND 

Students are really good at managing the perceptions people have of them. They control what kind of content they share. Often, they only post the highs and not the lows. They showcase one side of a story. They can spin an event to look laid back and fun even though it may have been boring or stressful. They may be struggling with loneliness, but online, they appear to be surrounded by friends and good times. They can create a fake reality online. If they’re not careful, they do this with their faith too. They know how to manage perceptions: they look the part or say the right words, but in their hearts, they’re far from God. They raise our hands in worship but walk in disobedience to God. God calls us higher. He demands authentic faith. We can’t manage our Maker’s perception of us because He knows us, inside and out (1 Sam. 16:7). 

APPLICATION 

ISRAEL’S LEGACY WAS MARKED BY IDOLATRY. WHAT NEEDS TO CHANGE SO THAT MODERN BELIEVERS LEAVE A LEGACY OF WHOLEHEARTED WORSHIP? 

THE WIN 

FOR THE STUDENT: Through the power of the Holy Spirit living within them, students have the chance to leave a different legacy. They have the chance to make history for how they loved and followed the Lord. They have a chance to stop settling for a culturally acceptable Christianity and to follow Christ in a way that lines up with God’s Word—to lay down their idols. 

FOR THE LEADER: As leaders, we have the incredible opportunity to help turn things around in the church. We have the opportunity to model a different way for our students and to leave a legacy of worship and obedience. What a privilege! May we never take it lightly.