Tag: K-Seven

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?

 

Perseverance

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Proverbs 24:16

“For a righteous man falls seven times, and rises again, but the wicked stumble in time of calamity.”

Q: Define perseverance according to this verse. Describe the circumstances you face today and how they are developing perseverance in your character.

Psalm 139:7-12

“Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence? If I ascend to heaven, You are there; If I make my bed in Sheol, behold, You are there. If I take the wings of the dawn,

If I dwell in the remotest part of the sea, even there Your hand will lead me, and Your right hand will lay hold of me. If I say, ‘Surely the darkness will overwhelm me, and the light around me will be night,’ even the darkness is not dark to You, and the night is as bright as the day. Darkness and light are alike to You.”

Q: What is God’s promise to you when you are enduring your darkest and most difficult days? How does believing this promise change your attitude during those trials?

 

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Matthew 26:39

“And He went a little beyond them, and fell on His face and prayed, saying, ‘My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; yet not as I will, but as You will.’”

Luke 22:44

“And being in agony He was praying very fervently; and His sweat became like drops of blood, falling down upon the ground.”

Hebrews 5:8

“Although He was a Son, He learned obedience from the things which He suffered.”

Q: Describe Jesus’ attitude during His greatest hour of suffering. How did Jesus, even Jesus Himself, develop perseverance? What does this amazing truth say to you?

 

Paul

Romans 5:3-5

“And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.”

Q: How do tribulations develop perseverance?

 

Peter

II 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: How does perseverance lead to Godliness?

James 1:2-4

“Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.”

Q: What does your attitude need to be like when you are undergoing difficulty in your life? What will a negative or selfish attitude do to your relationship with Jesus when you are suffering?

 

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?

 

Discipline

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Proverbs 13:17, 13:24, 10:17, 15:10, 9:9

“A wicked messenger falls into adversity, but a faithful envoy brings healing.”

“He who withholds his rod hates his son, but he who loves him disciplines him diligently.”

“He is on the path of life who heeds instruction, but he who ignores reproof goes astray.”

“Grievous punishment is for him who forsakes the way; He who hates reproof will die.”

“Give instruction to a wise man and he will be wiser, teach a righteous man and he will increase his learning.”

Q: What is the value of reproof?

Q: Describe the attitude it takes to turn reproof into value and positive character.

Psalms 51:1-4

“Be gracious to me, O God, according to Your lovingkindness; according to the greatness of Your compassion blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin. For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me. Against You, You only, I have sinned and done what is evil in Your sight, so that You are justified when You speak and blameless when You judge.”

Q: How does the discipline of confession and repentance develop desirable character?

Q: How have you developed this discipline lately?

 

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Matthew 4:1-11

“Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. And after He had fasted forty days and forty nights, He then became hungry. And the tempter came and said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.” But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.’” Then the devil took Him into the holy city and had Him stand on the pinnacle of the temple, and said to Him, “If you are the Son of God, throw Yourself down; for it is written, ‘He will command His angels concerning You’; and ‘On their hands they will bear You up, so that You will not strike Your foot against a stone.’” Jesus said to him, “On the other hand, it is written, ‘You shall not put the Lord your God to test.’” Again, the devil took Him to a very high mountain and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory; and he 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: What does this passage tell you of Jesus’ self-discipline?

Q: Why is His example inspirational to you?

 

Paul

Hebrews 12:4-12

“You have not yet resisted to the point of shedding blood in your striving against sin; and you have forgotten the exhortation which is addressed to you as sons, ‘My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor faint when you are reproved by Him; for those whom the Lord loves He disciplines, and He scourges every son whom He receives.’ It is for discipline that you endure; God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom his father does not discipline? But if you are without discipline, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate children and not sons. Furthermore, we had earthly fathers to discipline us, and we respected them; shall we not much rather be subject to the Father of spirits, and live? For they disciplined us for a short time as seemed best to them, but He disciplines us for our good, so that we may share His holiness. All discipline for the moment seems not to be joyful, but sorrowful; yet to those who have been trained by it, afterwards it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness. Therefore, strengthen the hands that are weak and the knees that are feeble…”

Q: Why is discipline by your heavenly Father, or earthly father, a result of a deep love for you?

2 Timothy 3:16-17

“All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.”

Q: In what good ways does the Word discipline us?

 

Galatians 5:22-23

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.”

Q: Self-control and self-discipline are first cousins. If self-control is a “fruit of the Spirit,” how can you obtain better discipline in your life?

 

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

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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?

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?

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?

 

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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?

 

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?

 

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?

 

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

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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?

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?

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?

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?

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?”

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?

 

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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?

 

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?

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?

 

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

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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?

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?

 

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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?

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?

 

The Heart of the Issue

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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?

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?

 

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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?

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?

 

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?

 

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?

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

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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?

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?

 

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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?

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?

 

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?

 

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?

 

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

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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?

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?

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?

 

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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.

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. Paul

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

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

 

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?

 

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/Porn is Death

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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?

Proverbs 16:25

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

 

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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?

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?

 

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?

 

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”?

 

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?