About THE SCHOOL OF OBEDIENCE: With Comprehensive Study Questions
THE SCHOOL OF OBEDIENCE: A STUDY IN THE TRANSFORMING POWER OF ABSOLUTE SURRENDER WITH LOADS OF STUDY QUESTIONS
Overview
The School of Obedience is Andrew Murray’s profound exploration of what he calls “the most neglected teaching in modern Christianity”—that absolute obedience to God is not an optional pursuit for spiritual elites but the very essence and proof of authentic faith. Written in 1898 but modernized for contemporary readers, this book systematically dismantles comfortable Christianity and rebuilds biblical discipleship on its proper foundation: wholehearted, joyful, continual obedience to Christ.
Main Themes
1. Obedience as Central to All Scripture Murray opens by surveying the entire Bible, from Paradise lost (where disobedience destroyed humanity) through Calvary (where Christ’s obedience restored us) to Paradise regained (where obedience gives access to eternal life). He demonstrates that obedience is not peripheral to Scripture but its central thread—the one virtue demanded in Eden, the one characteristic that defined Christ, and the one mark of those who inherit eternal life.
2. Christ’s Obedience as Our Salvation In a chapter of stunning theological depth, Murray explains how Christ’s obedience—not just His death—is essential to our redemption. Through union with Christ, believers receive not only forgiveness for past disobedience but participation in Christ’s own obedient nature. This obedience becomes the believer’s life through the indwelling Spirit, making full obedience both possible and certain.
3. The Secret of True Obedience Murray reveals that the power of obedience lies not in human willpower or determination but in close, continual, personal fellowship with God. Using Christ as the supreme example (who did nothing except what He saw the Father doing), Murray shows that obedience flows naturally from communion. The Christian life is not about trying harder but about staying closer.
4. The Morning Watch as Essential Discipline Perhaps Murray’s most countercultural teaching is his insistence on the “morning watch”—at least thirty minutes alone with God each morning in prayer and Bible study. He argues this is not legalism but absolute necessity: without extended daily communion with God, sustained obedience throughout the day is impossible. The morning watch is where the vow of obedience is renewed, where grace for the day is received, and where the soul is so united to God that nothing can separate it from Him.
5. Entering the Life of Full Obedience Murray provides a clear pathway into obedient living through three steps: (1) Specific confession and cleansing of known disobedience, (2) Faith that obedience is truly possible through God’s New Covenant promises, and (3) Complete surrender to Christ, trusting Him to work obedience in us. This isn’t gradual drift into holiness but a decisive crisis followed by steady growth.
6. The Obedience of Faith Drawing on Abraham’s example, Murray presents five movements of faith: seeing the possibility of obedience, desiring it intensely, expecting God to give it, accepting it as present reality, and trusting Christ to maintain it. This transforms obedience from impossible ideal to attainable experience, from exhausting striving to joyful receiving.
7. Fragments of Wisdom In a collection of shorter teachings, Murray addresses: the difference between learning obedience (gradual growth in practice) versus taking the vow of obedience (immediate commitment of the will); the role of conscience in guiding daily choices; the crucial distinction between legal obedience (trying to obey through self-effort) and gospel obedience (trusting the Spirit to produce obedience); and the beautiful reality that true obedience flows from love, not duty.
8. Obedience to the Last Command Murray concludes with a thundering challenge to obey Christ’s final command: “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.” He argues this command is for every Christian without exception, that it represents the very purpose for which Christ redeemed us, and that accepting it requires placing ourselves entirely at Christ’s disposal for His kingdom work. This isn’t just for missionaries—it’s the life calling of everyone who claims to follow Jesus.
Key Teachings
On the Possibility of Obedience: Murray demolishes the common excuse that full obedience is impossible. Through extensive examination of God’s New Covenant promises (“I will write My law on your heart,” “I will cause you to walk in My statutes”), he demonstrates that God not only commands obedience but provides complete power to fulfill every command. The problem isn’t God’s provision but our unbelief.
Buy the book, and follow the author on social media:
Learn more about the writer. Visit the Author’s Website.
Like the Authors Facebook Fan Page.
Author Bio:
I am a devoted child of Christ, my Lord & Redeemer. I am also a passionate Christian writer, living an intimate love affair with Him. My heart longs to share this deep, transforming love with other believers.
21st-century Christianity has become complacent. WHAT MY HEART WANTS TO SCREAM THROUGH THIS PROFILE IS MY LOVE FOR YOU WITH EVERY FIBER OF MY BEING. Come on, guys, LET'S GET IT RIGHT. Let’s MAKE OUR ELECTIONS SECURE so we can MEET IN HEAVEN! Don’t take God & His Word for granted. Our ancestors did & it did not end well. Let’s learn from their example, because GOD NEVER CHANGES.
Let’s stop hiding behind platitudes that imply He accepts our indifference or cold hearts. Let’s stop pretending our understanding is enough when His Word says otherwise. Let’s embrace the transformation salvation offers now. Let’s be His true children. He is preparing a bride, & only the robes of righteousness will do. Let’s COMMIT, GET SERIOUS, & PURSUE Him together.
Christ in you, the hope of glory,
I Love you