The Authority of God

The passages this week share a theme of conflict among God’s faithful people. The passages from Exodus and Psalms remind us of when God provided water from a solid rock at a time when the people were rebelling against their spiritual leaders. Both detail God’s dramatic response, reminding the people of God’s authority over everything. To the Philippians, Paul stresses the avoidance of conflict, using a hymn recalling the authority of Christ as God’s beloved son. Matthew tells about Jesus’ conflict with the religious leaders of the Temple. They questioned his authority, but he turned their questions back on them, indicting them for their hypocrisy. In all these passages, we are reminded that God is the ultimate authority who loves us even when we are rebellious.

Read Exodus 17:1-7. Where did you see God at work in the outcome of conflict?
Read Psalm 78:1-4, 12-16. Reflect on your best teachers. How did they convey important lessons about faith to you? How has your perspective changed about those lessons?
Read Philippians 2:1-13. What are some of the characteristics that make cohesiveness possible? How does your faith inform your practice when working with others?
Read Matthew 21:23-32. Have you ever questioned the words and/or actions of someone in authority? How does understanding God’s ultimate authority help you discern the right and wrong of those situations?