Tag: K-2

Trustworthiness

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Proverbs 20:6-7

“Many a man proclaims his own loyalty, but who can find a trustworthy man? A righteous man who walks in his integrity – How blessed are his sons after him.”

Q: Why is the unimpaired devotion to trustworthiness essential to a healthy relationship?

Q: Where do you struggle with being trustworthy?

Proverbs 20:11

“It is by his deeds that a lad distinguishes himself if his conduct is pure and right.”

Q: It has been said “it takes time to develop trust but can be broken by one bad decision.” Why do you think this is so true?

Psalms 119:97-98, 119:127-129

“O how I love Your law! It is my meditation all the day. Your commandments make me wiser than my enemies, for they are ever mine.”

“Therefore I love Your commandments above gold, yes, above fine gold. Therefore I esteem right all Your precepts concerning everything, I hate every false way. Your testimonies are wonderful; therefore my soul observes them.”

Q: How does a deep love and respect for God’s Word develop your trustworthiness?

 

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Luke 16:10

“He who is faithful in a very little thing is faithful also in much; and he who is unrighteous in a very little things is unrighteous also in much.”

Q: Jesus’ principle of “being faithful in the little things, and I will entrust you with great things” (paraphrased) is great wisdom for a trustworthy person. In your own words, what is Jesus communicating here?

Q: How does this principle speak to you about the things that you have been entrusted with today?

 

Paul

1 Timothy 1:18

“This command I entrust to you, Timothy, my son, in accordance with the prophecies previously made concerning you, that by them you fight the good fight…”

Q: As Paul entrusted Timothy with the task of carrying the baton of faith, what is he communicating when he says, “Fight the good fight?”

 

2 Timothy 1:5

“For I am mindful of the sincere faith within you, which first dwelt in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am sure that is is in you as well.”

Q: What is “sincere faith,” and why is it so key to becoming a faithful believer?

 

Peter

1 Peter 1:6 & 7

“In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.”

Q: How do you and God turn your trials into precious gold? How do you stay faithful in trials of all kinds?

 

Reconciliation

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Reconciliation means the restoration of a broken relationship. It first requires sincere forgiveness for the person who has hurt you. Then, if possible to be truly reconciled, you go to that person and sincerely seek their forgiveness for your side of the broken relationship (even if your part is very small). Finally, reconciliation is complete when the relationship is restored. Our model for reconciliation is the standard Jesus set when He restored our relationship with God by dying for our sins on the Cross.

Proverbs 10:12; 14:33(a); 14:29-30(a)

“Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all transgressions.”

“Wisdom rests in the heart of one who has understanding.”

“He who is slow to anger has great understanding, but he who is quick-tempered exalts folly. A tranquil heart is life to the body.”

Q: According to these passage of scripture, describe a heart that is well prepared for reconciliation.

Psalm 103:8-12

“The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in lovingkindness. He will not always strive with us, nor will He keep His anger forever. He has not dealt with us according to our sins, nor rewarded us according to our iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is His lovingkindness toward those who fear Him. As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us.”

Q: Is there any sin too big for you to reconcile with the Lord? What is one sin in your life that you feel is “too big”?

 

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Matthew 5:23-24

“Therefore if you are presenting your offering at the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your offering there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother, and then come and present your offering.”

Q: What is this verse saying about restoring a broken relationship?

Q: How important is reconciliation to Jesus? Who is one person in your life that you need to seek reconciliation with? If you do not reconcile, how can this affect your faith?

Matthew 18:15-17

“If your brother sins, go and show him his fault in private; if he listens to you, you have won your brother. But if he does not listen to you, take one or two more with you, so that by the mouth of two or three witnesses every fact may be confirmed. If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector.”

Q: Describe, in your own words, the steps of reconciling with a brother or sister of Christ.

 

Paul

2 Corinthians 5:17-21 – “Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold new things have come. Now all these things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation, namely, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and He has committed to us the world of reconciliation. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.”

Q: Are you a minister of reconciliation, or do you harbor bitterness and unforgiveness? Where does reconciliation come from?

 

Peter

1 Peter 1:22-23

“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, for you have been born again not of seed which is perishable but imperishable, that is, through the living and enduring word of God.”

Q: What place does love have in the reconciliation process? How does obedience produce a more loving heart?

 

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?

Overcoming Sin

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Proverbs 17:12

“Let a man meet a bear robbed of her cubs, rather than a fool in his folly.”

Q: What does this verse declare about the severity of the practice of sin?

Psalms 32:3-4

“When I kept silent about my sin, my body wasted away through my groaning all day long. For day and night Your hand was heavy upon me; my vitality was drained away as with the fever heat of summer.”

Q: How does unconfessed sin defeat you?

Psalm 32:5

“I acknowledge my sin to You, and my iniquity I did not hide; I said, ‘I will confess my transgressions to the Lord,’ and You forgave the guilt of my sin.”

Q: Describe confession that leads to forgiveness, repentance and victory.

 

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Proverbs 26:11 – “Like a dog that returns to its vomit is a fool who repeats his folly.”

Q: What is Jesus saying about sin? How can you personally relate?

Luke 5:31

“And Jesus answered and said to them, ‘It is not those who are well who need a physician, but those who are sick.’”

Mark 1:15

“…and saying, ‘The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.’”

Q: If “repent” means “turn 180 degrees” and walk away, what is Jesus asking you to do today?

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 miracles?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness.’”

Q: What does Jesus want from you today?

 

Paul

Romans 8:1-2

“Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death.”

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

Hebrews 9:22

“And according to the Law, one may almost say, all things are cleansed with blood, and without shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.”

Q: How did Jesus obtain the forgiveness he offers you? Why was His crucifixion necessary?

 

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 is your goal regarding the practice of sin?

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: Describe the motivation for avoiding sin that this passage brings to your heart.

 

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?

Duty

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Duty is defined as “a moral obligation or responsibility.”

Proverbs 21:3

“To do righteousness and justice is desired by the Lord more than sacrifice.”

Q: What does it mean to you personally “to do righteousness and justice?”

Q: What are some of your standards for conduct in duty?

Psalms 37:4 & 5

“Delight yourself in the Lord; and He will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord, Trust also in Him, and He will do it.”

Q: What attitude turns your “duty” into your “delight?”

Q: Why does this golden attitude reap benefits and blessings from the Lord?

 

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Hebrews 12:1 & 2

“Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”

Q: How does Jesus’ amazing attitude towards His duty on earth inspire you?

2 Corinthians 5:14

“For the love of Christ controls us, having concluded this, that one died for all, therefore all died.”

Webster’s Dictionary defines constraint as “to compel someone towards a practical course of action.

Q: “How does Jesus’ love “constrain” you to keep the moral standards you live by speaking of words you say and maintaining the attitude of Christ?

 

Paul

2 Timothy 2:2

“The things which you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, entrust these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.”

1 Thessalonians 4:3 & 4

“For this is the will of God, your sanctification; that is, that you abstain from sexual immorality; that each of you know how to possess his own vessel in sanctification and honor.”

Q: What is God communicating to you about your duty in this passage? What is your standard to be able to fulfill this all important duty?

2 Timothy 2:15

“Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth.”

Q: What is your duty in terms of your reading and acting upon the Word of God. How can you turn this duty into a delight?

 

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?

Joy

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Proverbs 10:28

“The hope of the righteous is joy,

But the expectation of the wicked perishes.”

Q: What is the hope of the righteous? What is joy?

Psalm 16:2, 4 & 11

“I said to the Lord, “You are my Lord;

I have no good besides You.”

“The sorrows of those who have bartered for another god will be multiplied; I shall not pour out their drink offerings of blood, Nor will I take their names upon my lips.”

“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 happens when people seek happiness/joy from other gods? Where do Christians find their joy?

 

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John 16:24

“Until now you have asked for nothing in My name; ask and you will receive, so that your joy may be made full.”

Q: How can you receive the joy of the Lord? Why does God want to make your joy full?

Luke 15:10

“In the same way, I tell you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”

Q: Why is there such joy in Heaven when one sinner repents and gives his/her life to Christ?

 

Paul

Galatians 5:22

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness.”

Acts 13:52

“And the disciples were continually filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.”

Q: If joy is a fruit of the Spirit, how then do you experience joy? How can you continually be filled with joy?

 

Peter

1 Peter 1:8

“…and though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory…”

Q: How can you find “joy inexpressible” in your life? What takes away your joy?

 

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?

 

Purpose

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Proverbs 3:5-6

“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: How is your purpose discovered according to this passage?

Proverbs 23:7a

“For as he thinks within himself, so he is.”

Q: Your mind is the most sophisticated computer ever built. Your brain is programmed by what it sees, hears, tastes, and touches, but mostly by what it thinks about. Successful people involved in sports, music, art, science or other endeavors think about goals, dreams, training and winning day and night.

If you think you are a loser, you will be a _________________________________________.

If you think about porn, you are _______________________________________________.

If you think you are angry and bitter, you become ____________ & _____________________.

If you think you deserve to always get what you want, you become ________________________.

If you think about God’s great calling on your life, you become __________________________.

If you think about His awesomeness, you become ___________________________________.

Proverbs 16:3

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

Q: What is this passage saying to you about your purpose in life?

Psalm 1:2-3

“But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His law he meditates day and night. He will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in its season and its leaf does not wither; and in whatever he does, he prospers.”

Q: What is this passage saying to you about the paramount role of God’s Word in your pathway to success?

 

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Luke 19:10

“For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which is lost.”

Matthew 20:28

“…just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”

Q: What was Jesus’ purpose on earth? How do you compare your purpose to His?

 

Paul

Ephesians 2:10

“For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.”

Q: What does this passage teach you about your purpose in life?

 

Peter

1 Peter 2:21-23

“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, who committed no sin, nor was any deceit found in His mouth; and while being reviled, He did not revile in return; while suffering, He uttered no threats, but kept entrusting Himself to Him who judges righteously.”

Q: What is a true believer’s purpose according to this passage? When someone hurts you, how do you “follow in His steps?”

 

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?

 

Obedience

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Proverbs 4:4

“Then he taught me and said to me,

‘Let your heart hold fast my words;

Keep my commandments and live.’”

Q: What does God call us to do with His commandments? Why does this give us life?

Psalm 119:11

“Your word I have treasured in my heart,

That I may not sin against You.”

Q: According to this verse, what must we do in order to obey God? What does it mean to treasure God’s Word in our heart?

 

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Matthew 7:21

“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.”

Q: Why is it so important to obey God, our Father in Heaven?

John 15:14

“ You are My friends if you do what I command you.”

Q: What are some areas of your life that you are not obeying God?

 

Paul

Romans 6:14

For sin shall not be master over you, for you are not under law but under grace.”

Q: If you are not obeying God, what are you being mastered by? How does that make you feel?

 

Peter

1 Peter 1:14

“As obedient children, do not be conformed to the former lusts which were yours in your ignorance…”

Q: What are former areas of your life that you have given over to God? What is one way in which you can obey God this week?

 

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?

 

Growth and Sanctification

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“God loves you just the way you are, but He loves you too much to leave you like that.”

– Dr. Horace Wood

Proverbs 26:11, 28:13, 29:17, 25:4

“Like a dog that returns to its vomit is a fool who repeats his folly.”

“He who conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will find compassion.”

“A man who hardens his neck after much reproof will suddenly be broken beyond remedy.”

“Take away the dross from the silver, and there comes out a vessel for the smith”

Q: Why is sin so addictive? How does complete repentance turn a sin into growth and sanctification (becoming more like Jesus)?

Psalms 119:103-104

“How sweet are Your words to my taste! Yes, sweeter than honey to my mouth! For Your precepts I get understanding; therefore I hate every false way.”

Psalm 119:140

“Your word is very pure, therefore Your servant loves it.”

Q: John Wesley once said, “Give me 100 men who love God and nothing else, who hate sin and nothing else, and I will change the world.” How does the love of God’s Word translate into your personal purity through developing a hatred for sin?

Psalms 34:1-2

“I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul will make its boast in the Lord; the humble will hear it and rejoice.”

Q: What role does “having a heart that constantly praises God” play in making you more like Jesus?”

 

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John 17:17

“Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth.”

Q: How does the truth of God’s Word lead to your sanctification (Christ-likeness) today?

 

Paul

Philippians 1:6

“For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.”

Q: What is the Holy Spirit’s role in developing your sanctification?

Galatians 2:20

“I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.”

Q: What does it mean to be “crucified with Christ?” How are you currently “dying to your flesh” in tangible ways?

 

Peter

1 Peter 2:21-23

“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, who committed no sin, nor was any deceit found in His mouth; and while being reviled, He did not revile in return; while suffering, He uttered no threats, but kept entrusting Himself to Him who judges righteously.”

Q: If sanctification is growth to become more like Jesus, how does adversity produce sanctification?

 

APPLICATION:

How do these passages relate to me today? What changes do they bring to my life?

LOCKER ROOM:

Is there anything that has been holding you back from sanctification?

 

Humility

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Proverbs 11:2, 16:19

“When pride comes, then comes dishonor,

But with the humble is wisdom.”

“It is better to be humble in spirit with the lowly

Than to divide the spoil with the proud.”

Q: What are the consequences of pride according to these verses?

Psalm 18:27, 25:9

“For You [God] save an afflicted people,

But haughty eyes You abase [lower or humiliate].”

“He [God] leads the humble in justice,

And He teaches the humble His way.”

Q: How does God respond to humble individuals? How does this encourage you to pray for humility?

 

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John 3:30

He must increase, but I must decrease.”

Q: What are you increasing in your life (socially, athletically, academically, etc.)? How are you allowing God to “increase” in your life that you may “decrease”?

Mark 10:45

For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”

Q: Why did Jesus come to serve even though he is God of Creation? How can you live out this verse?

 

Paul

Philippians 2:5-8

“Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bondservant, and being made in the likeness of men. Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.”

Q: How did Jesus show humility? How can you adopt the humble attitude of Christ in your life?

 

Peter

1 Peter 5:5

“You younger men, likewise, be subject to your elders; and all of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, for God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”

Q: What does it mean for us to be subject to our elders? What does it look like to “clothe yourself with humility?” Why does God oppose the proud?

 

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?

 

Boldness

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Proverbs 28:1 & 2

“The wicked flee when no one is pursuing, but the righteous are bold as a lion. By the transgression of a land many are its princes, but by a man of understanding and knowledge, so it endures.”

Q: Why does boldness accompany a sincere commitment to honor Christ?

Psalm 34:4

“I sought the Lord, and He answered me and delivered me from all my fears.”

Q: In what ways does placing your trust in the Lord take away your fears and give you boldness?

 

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Luke 23:3

“So Pilate asked Him, saying, ‘Are You the King of the Jews?’ And He answered him and said, ‘It is as you say.’”

Q: Jesus knew that his confession to Pilot meant the accusation of blasphemy and sure death by crucifixion, but He did not falter or deny. Describe how this act of courage motivates you in your life today when you feel the boldness of Christ.

Luke 23:33 & 34

“When they came to the place called The Skull, there they crucified Him and the criminals, one on the right and the other on the left. But Jesus was saying, ‘Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.’ And they cast lots, dividing up His garments among themselves.”

Q: Describe Jesus’s mental steadfastness as He boldly endured the pain He suffered and spoke towards those who crucified him.

 

Paul

Romans 1:16-17

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, ‘But the righteous man shall live by faith.’”

Q: When is it the most difficult for you to exhibit boldness in your faith?

Philippians 1:19-21 – “…for I know that this will turn out for my deliverance through your prayers and the provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, according to my earnest expectation and hope, that I will not be put to shame in anything, but that with all boldness, Christ will even now, as always, be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death.”

Q: How does eternal security overcome fear and develop boldness in your life?

 

Peter

1 Peter 1:14-15

“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.”

Q: What is this scripture asking of you today?

 

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?