Tag: K-Seven

Pure

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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?”

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?

Q: How do you pursue righteousness?

Proverbs 21:23

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

Q: How do you guard your tongue?

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?

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?

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?

 

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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?

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

 

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?”

 

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?

 

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

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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?

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.

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?

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?

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?

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

 

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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?”

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

 

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?

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.

 

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?

 

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?

 

Ears

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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?

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?

 

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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?

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?

 

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?

 

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?

 

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 Tongue

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Proverbs 18:21

“Death and life are in the power of the tongue,

And those who love it will eat its fruit.”

Q: How are death and life in the power of the tongue? Does your mouth produce good fruit or bad fruit?

Psalm 141:3

“Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth;

Keep watch over the door of my lips.”

Q: Do you struggle with your mouth? Have you prayed and asked God to help set a guard over your mouth?

 

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Matthew 12:36-37

“But I tell you that every careless word that people speak, they shall give an accounting for it in the day of judgment. For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.”

Q: What are some careless words that you use? How do these affect your testimony?

James 3:4-6

“Look at the ships also, though they are so great and are driven by strong winds, are still directed by a very small rudder wherever the inclination of the pilot desires. So also the tongue is a small part of the body, and yet it boasts of great things. See how great a forest is set aflame by such a small fire! And the tongue is a fire, the very world of iniquity; the tongue is set among our members as that which defiles the entire body, and sets on fire the course of our life, and is set on fire by hell.”

Q: How is your tongue like a boat’s rudder? How is your mouth like fire?

 

Paul

Ephesians 4:29

“Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear.”

Q: What does this verse say about your speech? Are your words encouraging to those around you?

 

Peter

1 Peter 3:10

“The one who desires life, to love and see good days, must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit.”

Q: Why is taming your tongue and putting it under the Lordship of Christ so important?

 

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?

 

Encouragement

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Proverbs 25:11

“Like apples of gold in settings of silver is a word spoken in right circumstances.”

Q: What makes encouragement so valuable?

Proverbs 24:5 & 6

“A wise man is strong, and a man of knowledge increases power. For by wise guidance you will wage war, and in abundance of counselors there is victory.”

Q: Why is it so vital that you surround yourself with encouraging friends?

Proverbs 16:24

“Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.”

Q: What is your goal in terms of becoming a great encourager?

Psalms 119:50-51 & 119:97

“This is my comfort in my affection, that your word has revived me. The arrogant utterly deride me, yet I do not turn aside from Your law.”

“O how I love Your law! It is my meditation all the day.”

Q: In what ways does God’s Word provide encouragement to you?

 

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Acts 1:8

“…but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth.”

Q: How does “sharing Jesus” with lost people by your life and your words give you encouragement?

Matthew 28:19

“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.”

Q: Why does “discipling someone” or investing deeply in someone else’s spiritual growth provide the greatest encouragement of all?

 

Paul

Hebrews 10:25

“Not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near.”

Q: How are you doing in habitually encouraging those who are closest to you?

 

Peter

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.”

Q: Who do you know that needs “the encouragement of Christ?”

Q: What do you need to do to become one that disciples that person?

 

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 encouraging others?

 

Reputation

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Proverbs 22:1

“A good name is to be more desired than great wealth, favor is better than silver and gold.”

Ecclesiastes 7:1

“A good name is better than a good ointment, and the day of one’s death is better than the day of one’s birth.”

Q: Why is your reputation so vital to your happiness, spiritual growth, friendships and success in life? How do you develop a “bad name” for yourself? How do you develop a “good name” for yourself?

Psalms 33:12-14

“Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people whom He has chosen for His own inheritance. The Lord looks from heaven; He sees all the sons of men; from His dwelling place He looks out on all the inhabitants of the earth.”

Q: What exhortation is found in this Psalm passage that speaks to you about your personal pursuit of a good reputation.

 

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Matthew 23:26

“You blind Pharisee, first clean the inside of the cup and of the dish, so that the outside of it may become clean also.”

Q: What inner-character qualities provide a good reputation? What qualities provide a bad reputation? What qualities do you currently exhibit that your friends who know you the best would say damage your reputation? What would you like to do about those “inside the cup” characteristics that hinder you from a flawless reputation?

Matthew 7:15-20
“Beware of the false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits. Grapes are not gathered from thorn bushes nor figs from thistles, are they? So every good tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot produce bad fruit, nor can a bad tree produce good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. So then, you will know them by their fruits.”

Q: Talk about your reputation being displayed from the “inside out.” How has hypocrisy hindered your reputation in your past?

 

Paul

Titus 2:6-8

“Likewise urge the young men to be sensible; in all things show yourself to be an example of good deeds, with purity in doctrine, dignified, sound in speech which in beyond reproach, so that the opponent will be put to shame, having nothing bad to say about us.”

Q: What does this passage urge you to do in regards to developing a solid reputation?

 

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 your behavior influence your friends to move towards Jesus? How does it influence them to move away from Jesus?

 

APPLICATION:

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

LOCKER ROOM:

Name a person you admire who has a “good name.” What is one inner quality that person possesses that makes him/her admirable? What behavioral qualities does he/she exhibit that gives him/her a good reputation?

Accountability

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Proverbs 27:6, 27:17, 25:11

“Faithful are the wounds of a friend, but deceitful are the kisses of an enemy.”

“Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.”

‘Like apples of gold in settings of silver is a word spoken in right circumstances.”

Q: When it is wise to confront a friend? What makes a friend’s “loving rebuke” a requirement for true friendship?

Psalm 1:1-2

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

Q: What is the result of “walking, standing and sitting” with the wrong people in wrong places? How have you learned this “the hard way” over the past twelve months?

 

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John 15:12 & 13

“This is My commandment, that you love one another, just as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends.”

Q: Describe how Jesus’ example of friendship truly inspires you to develop the type of friendship that He exhibits in His life and death.

 

Paul

Ephesians 4:15

“…but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ.”

Q: How do you want to see this group you are studying with today become more of a “truth in love” relationship? What does “truth in love” mean?

 

Peter

I Peter 4:3-5

“For the time already past is sufficient for you to have carried out the desire of the Gentiles, having pursued a course of sensuality, lusts, drunkenness, carousing, drinking parties and abominable idolatries. In all this, they are surprised that you do not run with them into the same excesses of dissipation, and they malign you; but they will give account to Him who is ready to judge the living and the dead.”

Q: What does this verse say to you about friendships you once had or friendships you want to avoid?

 

APPLICATION:

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

LOCKER ROOM:

What is your standard for friendship?

 

Friendship

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Proverbs 17:17

“A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.”

Q: Why is true biblical friendship so important to you?

Proverbs 18:24

“A man of too many friends comes to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.”

Q: Why do you need to be careful in calling just anyone “friend”?

Q: Describe a BIBLICAL friend.

Q: What is your personal standard for allowing someone to be your friend?

Proverbs 15:22

“Without consultation, plans are frustrated, but with many counselors they succeed.”

Q: Why is it important to listen to your “true biblical friends?”

Psalms 71:4

“Rescue me, O my God, out of the hand of the wicked, out of the grasp of the wrongdoer and ruthless man.”

Q: Describe someone you are befriending or have befriended who is/was a bad influence on you, and describe the rise and fall of the friendship.

 

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John 15:12-14

“This is My commandment, that you love one another, just as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends. You are My friends if you do what I command you.”

Q: Describe Jesus’ friendship. What does His friendship mean to you?

Q: What can you learn from His friendship, and how can you use His example to be a better friend?

Q: How do you show your friendship to Jesus, and how can you improve that friendship?

 

Paul

2 Timothy 1:3

“I thank God, whom I serve with a clear conscience the way my forefathers did, as I constantly remember you in my prayers night and day.”

Q: Why is praying for your friends so important? Why should you have a daily prayer reminder to pray for your friends?

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.”

Q: Describe the importance of teaching Jesus’ Word to your friends and investing deeply into their spiritual growth.

 

Peter

1 Peter 4:3-5

“For the time already past is sufficient for you to have carried out the desire of the Gentiles, having pursued a course of sensuality, lusts, drunkenness, carousing, drinking parties and abominable idolatries. In all this, they are surprised that you do not run with them into the same excesses of dissipation, and they malign you; but they will give account to Him who is ready to judge the living and the dead.”

Q: What is Peter asking you to do in this passage?

Q: Do you have any “friends” that you need to distance yourself from? Why?

 

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?

Light

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Psalm 27:1

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

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

Psalm 119:130

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

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

 

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John 8:12

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

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

 

Paul

Ephesians 5:7-13

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

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

 

Peter

1 Peter 2:9

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

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

 

APPLICATION:

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

LOCKER ROOM:

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

Who Will You Follow?

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Proverbs 1:10

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

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

Psalm 1:1-2

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

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

 

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Matthew 1:19-20

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

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

Matthew 10:37-39

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

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

 

Paul

1 Corinthians 11:1

“Be imitators of me, just as I also am of Christ.”

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

 

Peter

1 Peter 2:21

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

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

 

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?