Proverbs 4:14-19
“Do not enter the path of the wicked and do not proceed in the way of evil men. Avoid it, do not pass by it; turn away from it and pass on. For they cannot sleep unless they do evil; and they are robbed of sleep unless they make someone stumble. For they eat the bread of wickedness and drink the wine of violence. But the path of the righteous is like the light of dawn, that shines brighter and brighter until the full day. The way of the wicked is like darkness; they do not know over what they stumble.”
Q: Compare/Contrast the paths of the righteous and the wicked. Why do the wicked not realize they are stumbling on the path they take?
Psalm 16:11
“You will make known to me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy; in Your right hand there are pleasures forever.”
Q: What do you notice about the path God sets before us?
Picture
Matthew 7:13-14
“Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it. For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it.”
Q: What is the picture that Jesus is describing here? Why do you think the way of the Christian is narrow?
Matthew 7:21-23
“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter. Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness.’”
Q: What is Jesus saying to us in this passage? What does practicing lawlessness look like?
Paul
Romans 8:14
“For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.”
Q: How does the Spirit lead you?
Peter
2 Peter 2:1
“But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will also be false teachers among you, who will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing swift destruction upon themselves.”
Q: Why is it so important to know the truth and obey God? Are you on the narrow or the broad path?
APPLICATION: How do these passages relate to me today? What changes do they bring to my life?
LOCKER ROOM: Is there anything this week that you have been enslaved to, and how we can help you?
