Category: P’s and Q’s Staff Guide

Staff Answer Guide for P’s and Q’s

Ears-Staff

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Proverbs 18:15

“The mind of the prudent acquires knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge.”

Q: What does it look like to have the ear of the wise? In other words, how do you listen wisely so that you can acquire knowledge?

You are willing to listen to others and hope to understand more from what they are saying than what you may respond with. You have to humbly admit that you are able to learn from others’ experiences.

Psalm 34:15

“The eyes of the Lord are toward the righteous and His ears are open to their cry.”

Q: Who does God listen to? Why do you think that is?

He listens to those pursuing and crying out to Him because He is a good Father who wants to help His people.

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Luke 8:15 – “But the seed in the good soil, these are the ones who have heard the word in an honest and good heart, and hold it fast, and bear fruit with perseverance.”

Q: Describe the illustration of the sower who sowed his seed in the weeds, the rock, the path, and the good soil. Why is someone who listens and responds to God’s Word like a seed in the good soil?

Seed in the weeds – people hear the Word, but worries, riches, and pleasures of life chokes the Word in their heart.

Seed in the rock – people hear the Word and believe for while, but temptations lead them astray.

Seed in the path – people hear the Word, but the devil takes the Word from their hearts.

Seed in good soil – people hear and receive the Word, bearing fruit in perseverance.

The good soil means that they are firmly rooted in the Word and have a strong foundation.

Matthew 13:16-17 – “But blessed are your eyes, because they see; and your ears, because they hear. For truly I say to you that many prophets and righteous men desired to see what you see, and did not see it, and to hear what you hear, and did not hear it.”

Q: What was Jesus saying in this passage? What is Jesus saying to you in this passage?

Jesus was talking to a crowd of people from a boat and telling them how blessed they are for truly hearing and believing the Word of God and not just being ritualistic about their faith. We should be evermore grateful as we have the Holy Spirit living inside of us!

Paul

2 Timothy 4:3 – “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires…”

Q: What are things you hear at school or from friends that may “tickle” your ears (sound good) but do not line up with God’s word?

Gossip, whether at school or in the news; Also, when people talk about the “party” scene and how fun it seems, but we know that the promise of God is greater.

Peter

2 Peter 1:18 – “…and we ourselves heard this utterance made from heaven when we were with Him on the holy mountain.”

Q: How can you be like Peter and hear the voice of God?

By stopping, praying, searching and listening to God. 

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?

 

Success-Staff

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Proverbs 16:3; 3:5-6

“Commit your works to the Lord and your plans will be established.”

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.”

Q: What is true success, and how do you obtain it?

Success isn’t about being the greatest athlete, being the best looking or having the most money. TRUE success is being obedient to Christ in everything that you do and seeking His guidance before making your own plans. We cannot rely on ourselves!

Proverbs 16:9

“The mind of man plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps.”

Q: A wise man once said, “Work like it all depends on you, pray like it all depends on God, and you will find success.” Comment on this statement.

We should work hard, to the best of our ability, in all that we do, as long as it is pleasing to God. When we need guidance, we should pray and ask God instead of find our own path.

Proverbs 21:17

“He who loves pleasure will become a poor man; He who loves wine and oil will not become rich.”

Q: What is Solomon’s warning in this passage?

If we only seek things of the world (pleasure, riches, looks, money, alcohol/drugs, porn), then we have nothing. Pleasure and money will not buy eternal happiness.

Proverbs 21:6

“The acquisition of treasures by a lying tongue is a fleeting vapor, the pursuit of death.”

Q: Why is integrity more important to you than worldly success?

Worldly success is only temporary and will not last forever; the friends who follow you for that are not true friends. Being a man or woman of integrity can leave a lasting impact on those around you and even encourage others to follow Christ.

Psalms 15:1-4

“O Lord, who may abide in Your tent? Who may dwell in Your holy hill? He who walks with integrity, and works righteousness, and speaks truth in his heart. He does not slander with his tongue, nor does evil to his neighbor, nor takes up a reproach against his friend; in whose eyes a reprobate is despised, but who honors those who fear the Lord; He swears to his own hurt and does not change.”

Q: How does David speak to you about true success in this passage?

David defines true success as having integrity, being honest and being obedient to Christ. This is opposite of what the world calls “success.”

Q: Which quality of a successful man, as described in this passage, impresses you the most?

Example: “The quality of integrity impresses me the most because I feel like it is all encompassing. If I have integrity, than I will be honest, not talk bad about my friends, and will seek the Lord in all I do.”

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John 15:4-5 – “Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you unless you abide in Me. I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart of Me you can do nothing.”

Q: What does it mean to “abide in the vine?”

To “abide in the vine” means to be united to Jesus, to depend on Jesus, and to remain in Jesus.

Q: Why is constant dependency on and fellowship with Jesus necessary for the achievement of true success?

We are dependent on Jesus because we gain life from Him. Without the vine (Jesus), the branch (we) is useless, lifeless, powerless. We are completely dependent upon Jesus for everything that counts as spiritual fruit, and apart from Him, we can do nothing.

Paul

Romans 8:5-8 “For those who are according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who are according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace, because the mind set on the flesh is hostile toward God; for it does not subject itself to the law of God, for it is not even able to do so, and those who are flesh cannot please God.”

Q: Why is “walking in the Spirit” necessary for real, lasting success?

We have to walk in the Spirit to keep our sights set on things of Heaven and not of the world! If we allow the Holy Spirit to guide us, then we will be let tempted to be led astray by temptations.

Q: What is wrong with success gained by “walking in the flesh?” Apply this passage to the goals you are pursuing in your life today in academics, athletics and material gain.

If we gain success by “walking in the flesh,” then we are on the road to death. These successes are only temporary and turn our eyes away from Christ. Example: “If I gain success by being the best athlete or student, I need to give all the glory to God and let others know I didn’t do it on my own.”

Peter

2 Peter 1:5-7 “Now for this very reason also, applying all diligence, in your faith supply moral excellence, and in your moral excellence, knowledge and in your knowledge, self-control, and in your self-control, perseverance, and in your perseverance, godliness, and in your godliness, brotherly kindness, and in your brotherly kindness, love.”

Q: Find the eight “steps to success” in this passage. Why would the pursuit of these things result in true success?

The eight steps are 1.) faith 2.) moral excellence 3.) knowledge 4.) self-control 5.) perseverance 6.) Godliness 7.) brotherly kindness 8.) love.

If we continue to develop these qualities in our life, then we will be fruitful in His kingdom, and if we practice this obedience, then we will never stumble! Then, we are truly successful!

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?

 

Pure-Staff

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Proverbs 21:8

“The way of a guilty man is crooked, but as for the pure, his conduct is upright.”

Q: What is “upright conduct?”

It is any conduct that glorifies God.

Proverbs 21:12

“The righteous one considers the house of the wicked, turning the wicked to ruin.”

Q: What do righteousness and purity have in common?

The righteous pursue purity while the wicked ignore and dislike purity.

Q: How do you pursue righteousness?

By seeking guidance from the Lord in His Word and being obedient to Him.

Proverbs 21:23

“He who guards his mouth and his tongue, guards his soul from troubles.”

Q: How do you guard your tongue?

By only saying things that glorify God and lift up others, not cursing or gossiping.

Proverbs 19:1 & 18:7

“Better is a poor man who walks in his integrity than he who is perverse in speech and is a fool.”

“A fool’s mouth is his ruin, and his lips are the snare of his soul.”

Q: Why are your words an accurate measurement of the degree of purity in your life?

There is direct correlation between our words and our heart/soul. Pure words = purity of soul.

Psalms 119:7-9

“I shall give thanks to You with uprightness of heart, when I learn Your righteous judgments. I shall keep Your statutes; do not forsake me utterly!”

Q: How does God’s Word develop uncompromising moral purity in your life?

It creates an upright heart, a heart that yearns to glorify God and live in relationship with Him.

Psalm 119:37

“Turn away my eyes from looking at vanity, and revive me in Your ways.”

Q: How can you turn this Psalm into a personal prayer?

Pray these words to God and add the areas in which you personally struggle.

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Matthew 6:22-23 “The eye is the lamp of the body; so then if your eye is clear, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light that is in you is darkness, how great is the darkness!”

Q: What role does the “eye” play in maintaining purity?

As the lamp of the body, the “eye” guides us through darkness. If we only seek to look at things that are good and pure, we are kept in the light of Christ.

Q: Why does an “eye of darkness” fill the entire body with darkness?

Looking at “darkness” (images of impurity) makes your entire body, soul, and mind dark and full of evil intent. Each part of our body affects the rest of the parts.

Paul

2 Timothy 2:20-22 – “Now in a large house there are not only gold and silver vessels, but also vessels of wood and of earthenware, and some to honor and some to dishonor. Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from these things, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified, useful to the Master, prepared for every good work. Now flee from youthful lusts and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.” (NASB)

2 Timothy 2:22 – “Run away from infantile indulgence. Run after mature righteousness – faith, love, peace – joining those who are in honest and serious prayer before God.” (The Message)

Q: Why is purity so vitally important in order to be “useful to the Master?”

If you are pure, God can use you to minister to others. If you are not pure, God is unable to use you to minister to others because your example of impurity can lead others to darkness.

Peter

1 Peter 1:14-16 “As obedient children, do not be conformed to the former lusts which were yours in your ignorance, but like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior; because it is written, ‘You shall be holy, for I am holy.”

Q: What would it take for you to completely abandon your “former-ness” and elect a standard of holiness in your life?

I need to start confessing my sin to others and surround myself with believers who want to help me abandon my past sin and live in the light.

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?

 

Sin and Porn is Death-Staff

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Proverbs 5:20-23

“For why should you, my son, be exhilarated with an adulteress and embrace the bosom of a foreigner? For the ways of a man are before the eyes of the Lord, and He watches all his paths. His own iniquities will capture the wicked, and he will be held with the cords of his sin. He will die for lack of instruction, and in the greatness of his folly he will go astray.”

Q: What is the issue being addressed by Solomon? What is the result of sexual immorality?

The issues are sexual immorality and impurity. The result is being lead astray from God and eventual spiritual death, if not actual physical death.

Proverbs 16:25

“There is a way which seems right to a man, but it end is the way of death.”

Q: Why is it that our sin seems “right” to us? How have you experienced sin leading to death?

We like our sin, and it provides “in the moment” happiness. Example: “In the past, I fed my addiction and until I needed more and more to satisfy. This type of sin took me to my lowest point, and I had to die and ask Christ for forgiveness.”

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Matthew 5:27-28 – “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery’; but I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.”

Q: How honest have your eyes been this week? When do your lustful eyes cause you to sin?

Example: “I’ve tried to resist temptation, but I have slipped sometimes with my eyes and looked at porn.” Sin comes from continuing to look at a person, picture or video for my selfish enjoyment.

Matthew 19:4-6 – “And He answered and said, ‘Have you not read that He who created them from the beginning made them male and female, and said, for this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh’? So they are no longer two, but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together let no man separate.”

Q: What is God’s design for marriage? Why do we experience internal death when we do not follow God’s design for marriage?

God made marriage for one male and one female. When we are not following God’s design, we are going directly against His Word which is life to our soul. Without Christ, there is no life, only death.

Paul

Romans 6:23 – “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus, our Lord.”

Q: What is the result of your sin? How do you receive the free gift of eternal life from God?

DEATH – both spiritual and physical! By accepting Jesus into my heart and seeking to obey Him daily.

Peter

1 Peter 2:11 – “Beloved, I urge you as aliens and strangers to abstain from fleshly lusts which wage war against the soul.”

Q: What is one area of your life that you need to abstain from “fleshly lusts”?

Example: “When I am on social media, I look at others with lustful eyes.”

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?

 

Addiction-Staff

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Proverbs 23:29-35

“Who has woe? Who has sorrow? Who has contentions? Who has complaining? Who has wounds without cause? Who has redness of eyes? Those who linger long over wine, those who go to taste mixed wine. Do not look on the wine when it is red, when it sparkles in the cup, when it goes down smoothly; at the last it bites like a serpent and stings like a viper. Your eyes will see strange things and your mind will utter perverse things. And you will be like one who lies down in the middle of the sea, or like one who lies down on the top of a mast. ‘They struck me, but I did not become ill; they beat me, but I did not know it. When shall I awake? I will seek another drink.’”

Q: What does the last line of this proverb say about alcohol and pot addiction?

It makes you unaware of what is truly going on around you and leaves you susceptible to more addiction or harm.

Proverbs 20:1

“Wine is a mocker, strong drink a brawler, and whoever is intoxicated by it is not wise.”

Q: How does a “strong drink” inhibit your freedom? How does this relate to marijuana use?

Both alcohol and marijuana take away your ability to be wise and discerning. They leave you in danger of giving into temptation and inhibit your freedom because you are no longer in control.

In biblical times, “strong drink” (sikera in the original Greek of the New Testament) referred to any unmixed or undiluted wine. When Jesus turned water into wine in John 2, He didn’t make sikera; He made oinos, weak wine diluted with water. When Paul told Timothy in 1 Timothy 5:23 that he should drink wine, he told him to do it for medicinal purposes (for a stomach problem). Again, it was oinos, not sikera.

Psalms 15:1 & 2

“O Lord, who may abide in Your tent? Who may dwell on Your holy hill? He who walks with integrity, and works righteousness, and speaks truth in his heart.”

Q: Regarding the law, obedience to parents and being a witness to your friends, what does “walking in integrity” say about using alcohol and drugs or porn?

Integrity = “doing the right thing when no one is looking.” In every situation, walk with integrity even when away from law enforcement, your parents or friends.

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Matthew 5:16 – “Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.”

Q: Describe the encouragement and exhortation this verse brings to you about addictive substances.

By not taking part in the negative things that others are doing, other will see our light and want to know the source of that light!

Matthew 18:6 – “…but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to stumble, it would be better for him to have a heavy millstone hung around his neck, and to be drowned in the depth of the sea.”

Q: What light does this verse shed on the practice of casual drinking or smoking pot? Describe a scenario that you might be faced with where this verse becomes a practical reality.

These practices hurt us and hurt others. If a friend knows that I am a Christian but sees me drinking or smoking pot (even casually), they might either think it is okay or that I am a hypocrite.

Paul

John 8:34 – “Jesus answered them, ‘Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who commits sin is the slave of sin.’”

Q: Why are alcohol and pot so addictive, and what harm have you observed from them?

These substances are used to “numb” your pain and give you a certain feeling, but it is only temporary. You become addicted to the way they make you feel, and then they have control of you and create a barrier between you and God.

Peter

1 Peter 2:12 – “Keep your behavior excellent among the Gentiles, so that in the thing in which they slander you as evildoers, they may because of your good deeds, as they observe them, glorify God in the day of visitation.”

Q: How does an alcohol and drug-free life become a witness to your friends?

Your friends know you are different and do not rely on external, worldly substances to fulfill you.

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?

 

Wash Me-Staff

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Proverbs 30:12

“There is a kind who is pure in his own eyes,
Yet is not washed from his filthiness.”

Q: How can we seem clean in our own eyes, while we are actually filthy?

We justify our sin and do not think it is as bad as what other people are doing.

Psalm 51:2, 51:7

“Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity

And cleanse me from my sin.”

“Purify me with hyssop, and I shall be clean;

Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.”

Q: Do you feel like God has washed you and made you clean from your sin? Why or why not?

Example: “Yes, because I know that He died for me and covered my sins. When I laid my sins at the foot of the Cross, I have never felt more pure in my life.”

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John 13:8

“Peter said to Him, ‘Never shall You wash my feet!’ Jesus answered him, ‘If I do not wash you, you have no part with Me.’”

Q: Why, like Peter, is it that we need to allow Jesus to wash us clean? Why do we fight Jesus from washing us clean from our sin?

(1) We are sinners that try to fix ourselves and act as though we are righteous. (2) We want to clean ourselves before we go before Jesus, so that we are not as bad as we seem We are ashamed of our sin.

Luke 11:38-41  “When the Pharisee saw it, he was surprised that He [Jesus] had not first ceremonially washed before the meal. But the Lord [Jesus] said to him, ‘Now you Pharisees clean the outside of the cup and of the platter; but inside of you, you are full of robbery and wickedness. You foolish ones, did not He who made the outside make the inside also? But give that which is within as charity, and then all things are clean for you.”

Q: What is Jesus teaching this Pharisee? How does this apply in your life?

The Pharisee makes himself look great on the outside, as though he has everything together, but really, his heart is sinful and full of evil intent. Example: “I can apply this by praying that God would change my hardened heart instead of trying to do it all by myself.”

Paul 

Acts 22:16 – “Now why do you delay? Get up and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on His name.”

Q: Is there an area in your life that you believe is too dirty for God to clean? Why are you delaying taking this sin to God?

Example: “I feel too dirty to bring my sexual immorality to God. I am delaying because I am ashamed to admit this sin to Him.”

Peter

1 Peter 1:22 – “Since you have in obedience to the truth purified your souls for a sincere love of the brethren, fervently love one another from the heart.”

Q: How does obedience to the truth purify our souls? How does obedience to the truth give us sincere love for one another?

Obedience makes us more like Jesus, who was/is pure and who loves others with a sincere love.

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?

 

The Heart of the Issue-Staff

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Proverbs 3:5-6, 28:14

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart

And do not lean on your own understanding.

In all your ways acknowledge Him,

And He will make your paths straight.”

“How blessed is the man who fears always,

But he who hardens his heart will fall into calamity.”

Q: In this passage, what does it meant to trust the Lord? What are some areas of your life that you find difficult to trust the Lord with?

Trust = giving God my heart, my understanding, and acknowledging Him in every situation.

Example: “My sports. I have a hard time giving God my physical health in the sports I play, and I think I can accomplish it all on my own.”

Psalm 17:10-12

“They have closed their unfeeling heart,

With their mouth they speak proudly.

They have now surrounded us in our steps;

They set their eyes to cast us down to the ground.

He is like a lion that is eager to tear,

And as a young lion lurking in hiding places.”

Psalm 139:23-24

“Search me, O God, and know my heart;

Try me and know my anxious thoughts;

And see if there be any hurtful way in me,

And lead me in the everlasting way.”

Q: The individual in Psalm 17 has a heart that is closed to God while the individual in Psalm 139 has a heart that is open to God. How do you know if your heart is closed or open to God?

Closed Heart = prideful and tears down others with words/actions.

Open = humble and seeks God’s guidance; prays for faith and forgiveness.

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Matthew 13:14

“In their case the prophecy of Isaiah is being fulfilled, which says, ‘You will keep on hearing, but will not understand; You will keep on seeing, but will not perceive…”

Matthew 7:7
“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.”

Q: Again, Matthew 13 talks about a person with a closed heart to God, while Matthew 7 talks about a person with an open heart to God. What do these verses say about a closed heart and an open heart? Closed = not interested in truly hearing God or seeking God

Open = willing to ask, seek and pursue God in every aspect of your life

Luke 7:13 – “When the Lord saw her, He felt compassion for her, and said to her, ‘Do not weep.”

Q: What does this verse say about the heart of Jesus? How does your heart respond to others, especially those on the fringe of society?

Jesus’ heart is filled with love and compassion. Example: “I seem to help those that I like but struggle to love and be compassionate to those I do not know. I know there are people in need but tend to let others be the ones who actually help them.”

Paul 

Hebrews 3:12-15 “Take care, brethren, that there not be in any one of you an evil, unbelieving heart that falls away from the living God. But encourage one another day after day, as long as it is still called ‘Today,’ so that none of you will be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. For we have become partakers of Christ, if we hold fast the beginning of our assurance firm until the end, while it is said…”

Q: How do we keep our hearts from becoming hardened? Are there any areas of your heart that are currently hardened to God?

I can be a partaker of Christ every day, live a prayer-filled life and encourage those around me. Example: “I am hardened towards God because one of my friends passed away last year, and I don’t understand how God could take him/her away so young.”

Peter

Hebrews 4:5-7 & 18

“…and again in this passage, ‘They shall not enter My rest.’ Therefore, since it remains for some to enter it, and those who formerly had good news preached to them failed to enter because of disobedience, He again fixes a certain day, ‘Today,’ saying through David after so long a time just as has been said before,’Today if you hear His voice, Do not harden your hearts.”

Q: Do you need God to soften your heart? Are there any family members or friends that your heart is hardened toward?

Example: “Yes! My heart is hardened towards my father for not being a leader in my family.”

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?

 

The Narrow Path-Staff

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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?

Righteous: This path is full of light, encouragement and is clear.

Wicked: This path is dark, evil and violent and causes those who take it to stumble.

The wicked do not know they are stumbling because they are blinded by sin.

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?

God makes His way known! His path is full of joy and eternal pleasures.

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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?

Jesus describes the multitude (world) trying to get through the wide gate because it is easy to get through (every one is allowed), but the Christian should choose the narrow path, even though it may be difficult and bumpy. The way of the Christian is narrow because there is only one WAY to get through it – by having faith in Jesus Christ!

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?

There are some who have served God in impressive ways (performing miracles, casting out demons) but will be turned away from heaven at the judgment because they lived a double life. We need to be true to Christ and live for Him no matter where we are or who we are around! Practicing lawlessness is doing anything against what God and His scripture commands us – partying, drinking, doing drugs, being sexually impure, talking poorly of others, etc.

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?

The Spirit convicts us of our sin, helps us remember the things we’ve learned of God and also helps us pray! We need to continually ask the Spirit to lead and guide us.

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?

If we know the truth in our hearts, then we cannot be easily tricked by those that want to lead us astray or get us into trouble.

Example: “I want to be on the narrow path, but I have been walking down the broad path in continual sin with the wrong crowd. I need to repent and run back to Jesus, even if it’s hard.”

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?

 

Entertainment and Pleasure-Staff

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Proverbs 21:17

“He who loves pleasure will become a poor man; he who loves wine and oil will not become rich.”

Q: What is harmful pleasure?

Sexual immorality, pornography, gossip, cursing, fighting, drinking, etc. – anything that is drawing you away from Christ.

Psalms 101:3

“I will set no worthless thing before my eyes; I hate the work of those who fall away; it shall not fasten its grip on me.”

Q: What is David saying about pleasure in order to avoid great harm to your life and your most important relationships?

By purposefully hating sin and keeping his eyes on what has worth, David (and all of us) keeps his relationships pure.

Psalms 119:48 & 119:103

“And I shall lift up my hands to Your commandments, which I love; and I will meditate on Your statutes.”

“How sweet are Your words to my taste! Yes, sweeter than honey to my mouth!”

Q: What would your life be like if you had a heart for God’s pleasure as David did?

I would have a life full of worth and sweetness, continually dwelling on and obeying God’s Word.

Psalm 119:37

“Turn away my eyes from looking at vanity, and revive me in Your ways.”

Q: What prayer do you need to pray today to begin to find your pleasure in God?

Example: “I need to pray that God would help me stop seeking pleasure in worldly things but find pure joy in Him.”

Exodus 20:7 – “You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain, for the Lord will not leave him unpunished who takes His name in vain.”

Q: What does it mean to “take God’s name in vain?”

Taking God’s name in vain is more than speaking profanely about Him. If we profess to be Christians, but act, think, and speak in a worldly manner, we take His name in vain.

Psalm 139:19 & 20 – “O that You would slay the wicked, O God; depart from me, therefore, men of bloodshed. For they speak against You wickedly, and Your enemies take Your name in vain.”

Q: What do these passages tell you about listening to music and watching movies & television that include profanities?

Taking pleasure in anything that contains profanity is hurtful to God and ourselves.

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Matthew 5:6 – “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.”

Q: Drug, porn, tobacco and alcohol users always need “just a little bit more” to be satisfied in their pursuit of pleasure. What is it about God that makes Him totally sufficient in your pursuit of pleasure?

He satisfies our every need and desire if we allow Him to. Example – You indulge in tobacco, but when that isn’t enough, you move to alcohol and then to drugs; no amount of substance can ever fulfill the “high” you’re seeking. God IS enough. You’ll never need anything more than Him to have everlasting pleasure.

Paul

1 Corinthians 6:18-20 “Flee immorality. Every other sin that a man commits is outside the body, but the immoral man sins against his own body. Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own? For you have been bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body.”

Q: Contrast “harmful” pleasure and “helpful” pleasure as pointed out in this passage. What makes sexual sin stand out among all other sins?

It immediately grieves the Holy Spirit who lives in your temple (your body), which makes it very hard to feel or hear God.

2 Timothy 3:1-4

 “But realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come. For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, unloving, irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal, haters of good, treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure than lovers of God.

Q: When does entertainment pleasure become an abominable idol?

When it turns our gaze away from God and back on ourselves. We tell God, “I do not want You” in this pleasure.

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?

 

Integrity-Staff

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Psalms 15:2-3

“He who walks with integrity, and works righteousness, and speaks truth in his heart. He does not slander with his tongue, nor does evil to his neighbor, nor takes up a reproach against his friend;”

Q: According to these verses, what are some characteristics of a man or woman with integrity?

  1. He/She has integrity 2. Speaks truthfully about others and himself/herself. 2. Acts lovingly towards everyone

Proverbs 11:3

“The integrity of the upright will guide them, but the crookedness of the treacherous will destroy them.”

Q: Why is it that integrity guides us but a lack of integrity can destroy us? Have you experienced this in your life?

Integrity keeps us on the path that glorifies God. Those who follow corruption or falsehood will be destroyed by the decisions and actions of their lives. Example: “In the past I have lied to my parents about things I’ve done and lived in fear that I would be found out.”

Proverbs 28:6

“Better is the poor who walks in his integrity than he who is crooked though he be rich.”

Q: What does it look like for someone to become rich but lack integrity in today’s America?

The rich will often lie and act deceitfully towards others in order to make more money or gain power.

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Matthew 4:8-11 “Again, the devil took Him [Jesus] to a very high mountain and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory; and he [Satan] said to Him, ‘All these things I will give You, if You fall down and worship me.’ Then Jesus said to him, ‘Go, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and serve Him only.’ Then the devil left Him; and behold, angels came and began to minister to Him.”

Q: Picture Jesus being alone in the wilderness with devil. How did Jesus fight Satan’s temptation and maintain His integrity?

Jesus fought with the “sword” and used Scripture to glorify Father in Heaven and maintain integrity.

Paul

2 Corinthians 8:21 – “For we have regard for what is honorable, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men.”

Q: Who are the people in your life keeping you accountable? Why are these people so valuable in your walk as a Christian?

Example: “People in my small group/youth group/church/K-Life/Young Life/‘I’m Third’ Groups.” They help me to walk with integrity and encourage me to be honest and repentant.

Peter

1 Peter 3:16 – “…and keep a good conscience so that in the thing in which you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ will be put to shame.”

Q: How can your integrity put your slanderers to shame? In what areas of your life do you struggle with having integrity?

By proving them wrong in what they say falsely about you; when you live in integrity, you are not fearful of being “found out”. Example: “Not cheating on homework, when talking to my parents, in my purity, time with friends, etc.”

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?