Category: God – Staff

Proverbs 3:23-26

“Then you will walk in your way securely and your foot will not stumble. When you lie down, you will not be afraid; When you lie down, your sleep will be sweet. Do not be afraid of sudden fear nor of the onslaught of the wicked when it comes; For the Lord will be your confidence and will keep your foot from being caught.”

Q: Why is it that you do not need to be afraid of things that will happen on earth?

Things that happen on earth are only temporary, and if we believe in the Lord and trust in Him, then He will protect us eternally!

Psalm 3:3-6

“But You, O Lord, are a shield about me, My glory, and the One who lifts my head. I was crying to the Lord with my voice, and he answered me from His holy mountain. I lay down and slept; I awoke, for the Lord sustains me. I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people who have set themselves against me round about.”

Q: When have you seen the Lord be your shield? How does this verse encourage you?

Example: “The Lord has been my shield as I have gone through school and played sports. He has protected me from injury and helped keep me from temptation. This verse tells me that I should not be afraid of those who want to hurt me because God is with me always.”

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John 10:28-29 – “And I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand.”

Q: When we accept Jesus into our heart, is there any way that we can lose our salvation? How do you know this truth?

NO! God is greater than ALL the enemies in the world, and they cannot take us away from Him. This is God’s promise to us!

Paul

2 Corinthians 4:8-9 & 11 – “We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not despairing; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed…For we who live are constantly being delivered over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh.”

Q: According to this passage, how can we go through hard times and not be defeated?

Even when we are beaten down, we can stand tall knowing that we are living for Christ and will get to spend eternity with Him. No matter how tough the world is, this life is only temporary!

Peter

1 Peter 2:9 – “But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.”

Q: In what ways have you seen God’s protection in your life?

Example: “Even though I stumble and am not always perfect, God has forgiven me and kept me from doing greater harm to myself. He has surrounded me with friends who love Him and keep me accountable.”

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?

 

Proverbs 18:13

“He who gives an answer before he hears, it is folly and shame to him.”

Q: Why is it important to listen before we speak?

Being a good listener shows love and grace to those who are speaking. It’s a reflection of our relationship with the Lord and our humility.

Psalm 33:8

“Let all the earth fear the Lord; let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of Him.”

Q: What do you think the fear of the Lord is? And why do you think the Psalmist says, “Let all the earth fear the Lord?”

The fear of the Lord refers to the respect, awe, and submission we should have for God. The whole earth should fear Him because He created it and is sovereign over it.

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Luke 18:11-13 “The Pharisee stood and was praying this to himself: ‘God, I thank You that I am not like other people: swindlers, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I pay tithes of all that I get.’ But the tax collector, standing some distance away, was even unwilling to lift up his eyes to heaven, but was beating his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, the sinner!’

Q: Looking at how the Pharisee prayed versus how the tax collector prayed, how should we approach God in reverent fear when praying?

The Pharisee prayed in pride thanking God that he was not like the tax collector. The tax collector was too afraid and ashamed to even look towards God. We should take a note from the tax collector and come humbled for Christ knowing that we have not done enough to earn His love.

Paul

2 Corinthians 7:1 – “Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.”

Q: What does “perfecting holiness in the fear of God” look like according to this passage? What does it look like in your life?

God calls on us to cleanse ourselves and seek the holiness of God motivated by awe and respect that He deserves. I can do this by repenting of my sins and striving to live a life of obedience to Him.

Peter

1 Peter 1:17-19 – “If you address as Father the One who impartially judges according to each one’s work, conduct yourselves in fear during the time of your stay on earth; knowing that you were not redeemed with perishable things like silver or gold from your futile way of life inherited from your forefathers, but with precious blood, as of a lamb unblemished and spotless, the blood of Christ.”

Q: Why should we have a reverent fear of the Lord while on earth?

While on earth, we should be in awe of the Lord for how He has redeemed us with His blood and not with things of this world.

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?

 

Proverbs 1:10

“My son, if sinners entice you, do not consent.”

Q: Who in your life entices you to sin? How can you tell them you will no longer follow in that sin?

Example: “My friend. I can tell them that I really care for them and want them to help me by not going back to sin.”

Psalm 1:1-2

“How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, nor stand in the path of sinners, nor sit in the seat of scoffers! But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and His law he meditates day and night.”

Q: Why are we blessed when we say no to sin? How do we become someone who strays from sin?

When we say “no”, we are deciding to glorify God rather than man. We can keep away from sin by delighting in and meditating on God’s Word everyday.

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Matthew 1:19-20 – “And Joseph her husband, being a righteous man and not wanting to disgrace her, planned to send her away secretly. But when he had considered this, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, ‘Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife; for the Child who has been conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit.’”

Q: Who did Joseph choose to follow when he found out Mary was pregnant? What can we learn from Joseph’s example?

Joseph chose God by believing God’s messenger, the angel. We can learn to pray and listen to God when we need counsel for any situation. Have faith!

Matthew 10:37-39 – “He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me; and he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me. He who has found his life will lose it, and he who has lost his life for My sake will find it.”

Q: What does it mean take up your cross and follow Christ?

It means to make Jesus my top priority every day and sacrifice the things of the world for Him.

Paul

1 Corinthians 11:1 – “Be imitators of me, just as I also am of Christ.”

Q: Are you an imitator of Christ? What evidence do others see in your life?

Example: “I am an imitator because I am trying to glorify God in the words that I say and the actions I do. I think others see my obedience to Christ and joy in Him.”

Peter

1 Peter 2:21 – “For you have been called for this purpose, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in His steps…”

Q: In following Christ’s example, we are told that we will also suffer and be persecuted as Christians. Why do you want to follow Christ’s example if this is true?

Example: “I want to follow Christ because I have tasted and seen that Christ is good and that the any pain and hurting are only temporary.”

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?

 

Psalm 27:1

“The Lord is my light and my salvation; Whom shall I fear? The Lord is the defense of my life; Whom shall I dread?”

Q: What are you afraid of today? How is the Lord your light?

Example: “I’m afraid of failing in my sports, academics, relationships, etc.” The Lord brings light to my dark sin, and helps guide me through the darkness down a path of righteousness.

Psalm 119:130

“The unfolding of Your words gives light; It gives understanding to the simple.”

Q: How does God’s Word bring light to the darkness? How does Scripture bring understanding to your life?

His Word shines the truth on the darkness that really exists in your life. In Scripture, God Himself shows how He can overcome that darkness in our life by His light.

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John 8:12 – “Then Jesus again spoke to them, saying, ‘I am the Light of the world; he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life.’”

Q: What does it mean that Jesus is the Light of the world? Do you currently have the light of Christ within you, or are you walking in darkness?

Jesus is the exclusive source of spiritual light, the one and only light that will never go dark in the world and in your life. Example: “I have a little bit of His light in my life, but there is still some darkness that I am struggling with like deceitfulness or lust…”

Paul 

Ephesians 5:7-13 – “Therefore do not be partakers with them; for you were formerly darkness, but now you are Light in the Lord; walk as children of Light (for the fruit of the Light consists in all goodness and righteousness and truth), trying to learn what is pleasing to the Lord. Do not participate in the unfruitful deeds of darkness, but instead even expose them; for it is disgraceful even to speak of the things which are done by them in secret. But all things become visible when they are exposed by the light, for everything that becomes visible is light.”

Q: Why do you no longer participate in the darkness? What does it mean to walk as children of the Light?

Darkness does not produce any fruit in my life and is a disgrace to our loving Father in Heaven. Walking as children of the Light means living a life full of integrity, repentance, goodness and righteousness. It means that I repent when I sin and find others to keep me accountable.

Peter 

1 Peter 2:9 – “But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.”

Q: What darkness is God calling you out of? How can you use your weaknesses to proclaim the excellencies of Christ?

Example: “A life of partying. By telling people that I have stopped participating in the party scene in order to be in community with my Savior and other believers, I am stepping into the light.”

APPLICATION: How does God’s Word cast light in areas of our lives?

LOCKER ROOM: What are some ways to bring the light into the dark areas?