discipleship
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Making Right Decisions
Be sure that you've had the opportunity
to cover the "Spirit-Filled Life" booklet.
If you need more time, use the time now.
Then you can cover this study towards the end of your
meeting or even the next time. Specifically, review
the last page of the "Spirit-Filled Life"
booklet, which covers spiritual breathing. Once
students understand this, they have established a great
foundation for their Christian walk.
This study has the potential to generate much conviction,
discussion, and even more questions. You will need to
pray for wisdom as you help the people in your study
come to an understanding of what God would have them
do in different circumstances. The subject in this lesson,
is making decisions in our Christian walk, where it
is not clearly black or white. What about those gray
areas of life?
Do: Read these three scenarios, one
at a time, and discuss what is the right thing to do.
Scenario 1
You're really busy and you're running out of time,
so you copy the answers to a homework assignment from
a classmate, to turn in the next day. The homework assignments
count for points on your overall grade. Is it O.K. to
copy the homework assignment?
Scenario 2
You're sitting in the middle of a big exam, you can't
find the answer to a particular question. Your eyes
wander and you see the answer on a classmates test sitting
next to you. Is it O.K. to write in the answer on your
test?
Scenario 3
You and your girlfriend/boyfriend have enjoyed spending
time together. You enjoy being alone in your dorm room
talking with the lights low and soft music in the background.
Sometimes you enjoy resting on the couch together. You
spend time with them a couple nights a week in this
setting. Is there anything wrong with this?
Again, you may have lots of discussion, but let it
go. People always learn from each other. You don't
have to come up with a solid answer yet.
Do: Read these two passages.
Then ask, "how can we make good decisions in life
that will please God?"
1 Peter 2:12
12 Live such good lives among the pagans that, though
they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your
good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.
Say: Every believer should have
standards, but should see that they are used to help
others, never to hinder them (Romans 15:2).
Galatians 5:16-17, 24-25
16 So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not
gratify the desires of the sinful nature.
17 For the sinful nature desires what is contrary
to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to
the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each
other, so that you do not do what you want.
24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified
the sinful nature with its passions and desires.
25 Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step
with the Spirit.
Galatians 6:1-4, 7-10
6:1 Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you
who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch
yourself, or you also may be tempted. 2 Carry
each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill
the law of Christ. 3 If anyone thinks he is
something when he is nothing, he deceives himself.
4 Each one should test his own actions. Then he can
take pride in himself, without comparing himself to
somebody else...
7 Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man
reaps what he sows. 8 The one who sows to please
his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction;
the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit
will reap eternal life. 9 Let us not become
weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will
reap a harvest if we do not give up. 10 Therefore,
as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people,
especially to those who belong to the family of believers.
Ask: How can we
make good decisions in life that will please God according
to these passages? What principles for decision making
can we pull out?
Do: Close by sharing these
key principles from the Interacta study
"Shades of Gray".
When faced with a gray area in life:
- Ask yourself "is it helpful,
beneficial or constructive for me? Does it cause me
to grow spiritually or help other's to grow?
- Is it a habit? Is it an addictive
behavior? Does it hold me in its power? Do I feel
I need this to be happy and fulfilled? Does it control
my thoughts or actions?
- Is it hurtful for another?
A weaker Christian? In doing it, would I hurt someone
else or cause them to be tempted to go against their
conscience (what they think is
right)? It is hurtful for a non-Christian? Could my
behavior cause a non-Christian to ignore the gospel
or disregard Christ?
- Is it honoring to God? Glorifying
God means to exalt God, to please Him by seeking His
interests above our own interests. In doing it, would
I bring glory to God, or dishonor Him?
Next Week's topic: How we can track with one another.
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