Part 15 (1/2)
#1-Key Pa.s.sage: 1 Timothy 6:610 What points does this pa.s.sage make about contentment? What points does this pa.s.sage make about contentment? Put the following definition from the book into your own words. Put the following definition from the book into your own words. Contentment is satisfaction with G.o.d's provision. It means resting in what one already has and seeking nothing more. Contentment is satisfaction with G.o.d's provision. It means resting in what one already has and seeking nothing more. Contentment is a settled sense of adequacy. Contentment is a settled sense of adequacy.
#2-Contentment's Partner (pp. 101102) Why must we never be content with who we are; only with what we have? Why must we never be content with who we are; only with what we have? In what sense is a desire for G.o.dliness the ideal partner for contentment? In what sense is a desire for G.o.dliness the ideal partner for contentment?
#3-Spiritual Equation (p. 102) Why can we be confident that the following spiritual formula provides the antidote to coveting: Why can we be confident that the following spiritual formula provides the antidote to coveting: G.o.dliness + Contentment = Great Gain G.o.dliness + Contentment = Great Gain #4-False Formulas (pp. 104106) Consider each of the following popular formulas for living.
G.o.dliness + Prosperity = Great Gain-Not Why can't prosperity subst.i.tute for contentment in our lives? Why can't prosperity subst.i.tute for contentment in our lives?
G.o.dliness + Poverty = Great Gain-Not How does poverty fail as an adequate defense against covetousness? How does poverty fail as an adequate defense against covetousness?
G.o.dliness + Power or Influence = Great Gain-Not Although control of circ.u.mstances and people seems to offer an effective strategy for living, why does it fail miserably? Although control of circ.u.mstances and people seems to offer an effective strategy for living, why does it fail miserably?
G.o.dliness + Family Harmony = Great Gain-Not What shortcomings disqualify the perfect family as a source for a ”great gain” life? What shortcomings disqualify the perfect family as a source for a ”great gain” life?
G.o.dliness + Ministry Success = Great Gain-Not Like the previous successes (wealth, influence, family), how does even ministry success fall short of replacing contentment in life's formula? Like the previous successes (wealth, influence, family), how does even ministry success fall short of replacing contentment in life's formula?
#5-Practicing Contentment (1 Timothy 6:710) STEP ONE : Look to Eternity (verse 7) How do we see the unseen when there are so many visual distractions? How do we see the unseen when there are so many visual distractions?
STEP TWO : Let Enough Be Enough (verse 8) What is your definition of ”enough”? What is your definition of ”enough”? How would you describe your present ”room and board” How would you describe your present ”room and board”
STEP THREE : Learn By Example (verse 910) Who is your most powerful example of someone who knows and lives by the principle of ”enough is enough”? Who is your most powerful example of someone who knows and lives by the principle of ”enough is enough”? How do the thoughts on pages 109112 help you understand better the phrase, ”For the love of money is a root of all sorts of evil”? How do the thoughts on pages 109112 help you understand better the phrase, ”For the love of money is a root of all sorts of evil”?
#6-Let's Talk Solution (pp. 113114) What are you seeking? What are you seeking? What are you saying? What are you saying? What have you settled? What have you settled? How did you respond to the three examination questions on pp. 114116 ? How did you respond to the three examination questions on pp. 114116 ?
LOOK UP! (p. 116) Use or adapt this prayer as you apply the challenges of this lesson.
Next a.s.signment: Read Chapter 5 of Lord, Change My Att.i.tude Before It's Too Late. Lord, Change My Att.i.tude Before It's Too Late.
LORD, CHANGE MY ATt.i.tUDE.
Before It's Too Late!
se who choose murmuring as their lifestyle will spend their lifetimes in the wilderness.
Chapter 5.
Replace a Critical Att.i.tude . . .
Objective : As a result of this lesson, partic.i.p.ants will identify the presence and effects of critical att.i.tudes in their lives. : As a result of this lesson, partic.i.p.ants will identify the presence and effects of critical att.i.tudes in their lives.
SAY IT IN A SENTENCE:.
A continuous critical att.i.tude toward those around me will consume all that is healthy and joy-producing in my life.
WILDERNESS ATt.i.tUDE THREE = CRITICISM.
#1-Key Pa.s.sage: Numbers 12:112 This pa.s.sage ill.u.s.trates a significant point. Complaining relates to situations; criticism relates to people. Criticism is dwelling upon the perceived faults of another with no view to their good. Despite all they had accomplished as a team, Miriam and Aaron began to take Moses to task about his life.
What were Miriam and Aaron's two criticisms against Moses? What were Miriam and Aaron's two criticisms against Moses? At what point did they get in trouble? What did G.o.d do? At what point did they get in trouble? What did G.o.d do? Describe Moses' responses while others were criticizing him. Describe Moses' responses while others were criticizing him.
#2-Defining Criticism Criticism is dwelling upon the perceived faults of another with no view to their good.
How does this definition capture the ”double blows” of pain caused by criticism? How does this definition capture the ”double blows” of pain caused by criticism? In what situations have you experienced the destructiveness of criticism? In what situations have you experienced the destructiveness of criticism? What tends to bring out a critical att.i.tude in you? What tends to bring out a critical att.i.tude in you?
#3-Bible Study Application PRINCIPLE ONE : Criticism is wrong-why? (pp. 127131) -it ruins our fellows.h.i.+p with G.o.d. -it ruins our fellows.h.i.+p with G.o.d. -it hurts us. -it hurts us. -it destroys our fellows.h.i.+p with others. -it destroys our fellows.h.i.+p with others. How do the results of Miriam and Aaron's critical att.i.tude ill.u.s.trate the above three sub-points? How do the results of Miriam and Aaron's critical att.i.tude ill.u.s.trate the above three sub-points?
PRINCIPLE TWO : Criticism is petty-why? It camouflages three deeper problems. (pp. 131134) -a blend of unforgiveness. -a blend of unforgiveness. -envy, jealousy, or resentment. -envy, jealousy, or resentment. -personal failure. -personal failure. How did Miriam and Aaron exhibit each of these problems as they criticized their younger brother? How did Miriam and Aaron exhibit each of these problems as they criticized their younger brother?
PRINCIPLE THREE: Criticism is self-exalting (p. 134).
In what ways does criticism create a subtle elevation of the one making the criticism? In what ways does criticism create a subtle elevation of the one making the criticism?
PRINCIPLE FOUR : Criticism is painful (pp. 134136).
What would happen if we applied every critical statement we are about to make to ourselves before we applied it to anyone else's life? What would happen if we applied every critical statement we are about to make to ourselves before we applied it to anyone else's life?
PRINCIPLE FIVE : Criticism is often inadvertent (p. 136).
How do you keep from making thoughtless comments? How do you keep from making thoughtless comments? What do you do when you realize you've just made a thoughtless comment? What do you do when you realize you've just made a thoughtless comment?
PRINCIPLE SIX:Criticism plugs the flow of G.o.d's blessing (pp. 136137).
If criticism given or received blocks our relations.h.i.+p with G.o.d, what must we do to resolve the problem? If criticism given or received blocks our relations.h.i.+p with G.o.d, what must we do to resolve the problem?
#4-Let's Talk Solution (p. 139) Based on the first evaluation question, in what areas are you most p.r.o.ne to practice a critical att.i.tude? Based on the first evaluation question, in what areas are you most p.r.o.ne to practice a critical att.i.tude? How has your relations.h.i.+p with G.o.d been affected by criticism? How has your relations.h.i.+p with G.o.d been affected by criticism? What moments of repentance have you experienced in the past? What moments of repentance have you experienced in the past? As a result of this session, in what relations.h.i.+ps do you realize you need to repent of a critical att.i.tude? How will you do that? As a result of this session, in what relations.h.i.+ps do you realize you need to repent of a critical att.i.tude? How will you do that?
K UP! (p. 140) Use or adapt this prayer as you apply the challenges of this lesson.
Next a.s.signment Read Chapter 6 of Lord, Change My Att.i.tude Before It's Too Late. Lord, Change My Att.i.tude Before It's Too Late.
LORD, CHANGE MY ATt.i.tUDE.
Before It's Too Late!
Those who choose murmuring as their lifestyle will spend their lifetimes in the wilderness.
Chapter 6.