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| Lesson 1 | Lesson 7 | ||
| Lesson 2 | Lesson 8 | ||
| Lesson 3 | Lesson 9 | ||
| Lesson 4 | Lesson 10 | ||
| Lesson 5 | Lesson 11 | ||
| Lesson 6 | Lesson 12 |
Part 1: A series of three studies of developing character through our walk.
Every building ever constructed always starts with the
foundation. If built with inferior materials, the foundation will become weak
and the edifice will eventually fall. However, when God begins to build the
character of our lives, He always starts with a solid foundation.
Matthew 7
24 "Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts
on them, may be compared to a wise man who built his house on the
rock. 25
"And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew
and slammed against that house; and yet it did not fall, for it
had been founded on the rock. 26 "Everyone who
hears these words of Mine and does not act on them, will be like a
foolish man who built his house on the sand.
Read 1 Corinthians 3:9-15
1 Corinthians 3
9 For we are God's fellow workers; you are God's field, God's
building. 10 According to the grace of God which was given to me,
like a wise master builder I laid a foundation, and another is
building on it. But each man must be careful how he builds on it. 11
For no man can lay a foundation other than the one which is laid, which is
Jesus Christ. 12 Now if any man builds on the foundation with gold,
silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, 13 each man's work will
become evident; for the day will show it because it is to be revealed with
fire, and the fire itself will test the quality of each man's work. 14
If any man's work which he has built on it remains, he will receive a reward. 15
If any man's work is burned up, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be
saved, yet so as through fire.
Questions for interactive discussion:
Who does the apostle Paul say is the foundation for life and character? Why is this so important?
What are the dangers in taking shortcuts, while building on this solid foundation?
Discuss, compare, and contrast the building materials available for life and character.
Describe a life and character that reflect the right building materials.
Workers at a construction site get uneasy when the building inspector arrives, should we also be uneasy about Judgement Day? Why, or why not?
HARD HAT AREA: My response to this lesson
Ask the Lord to examine my character, using Psalm 139:23-24.
Begin making the necessary adjustments in my life that He reveals.
"Reputation is what people think you are, Character is what you really are."
Section One - Lesson 2: Are you smooth and clean, or rough and dirty?
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Read II Samuel chapters 11 & 12, then Psalm 51:1-13
Psalm 51
A Contrite Sinner's Prayer for Pardon.
A Psalm of David, when Nathan the prophet came to him, after he had gone in
to Bathsheba.
1 Be gracious to me, O God, according to Your loving kindness;
According to the greatness of Your compassion blot out my transgressions. 2
Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. 3
For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me. 4 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. 5 Behold,
I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin my mother conceived me. 6
Behold, You desire truth in the innermost being, and in the hidden part You will
make me know wisdom. 7Purify me with hyssop, and I shall be clean;
Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. 8 Make me to hear joy and
gladness, Let the bones which You have broken rejoice. 9Hide Your
face from my sins and blot out all my iniquities. 10 Create in me a
clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. 11 Do not
cast me away from Your presence and do not take Your Holy Spirit from me. 12
Restore to me the joy of Your salvation and sustain me with a willing spirit. 13Then
I will teach transgressors Your ways, and sinners will be converted to You.
Questions for interactive discussion: Did you read II Samuel chapters 11 & 12?
How could David, a man known for his Godly character, run after Bathsheba with such unbridled lust, and even murder her husband?
Talk about the gut-wrenching turmoil that came into his life following adultery. Why was it so painful?
Who all were hurt by David’s sin? Then why did he say to God, "Against You, You only, have I sinned…" (in verse 4 above)?
What would have happen to David’s heart, had he not repented?
Based on this Psalm, describe the heart of the person who highly values moral purity.
HARD HAT AREA: My response to this lesson
Repent of any known sin in my life, and do not resist God’s inspection of my life and character.
Pray for myself and other members of my bible study group to maintain moral purity.
"Sin will take you farther than you want to go,
keep you longer than you want to stay
and cost you more than you want to pay"
Section One - Lesson 3: Fitness Beyond Barbells
Our culture is obsessed with building buns of steel, and having washboard, 6-pack abdominal muscles. Yet, we all know that far too often most people fail to stay "in-shape" and remain as physically fit as they should—including you & me! It can be argued that spiritual fitness is just as important, or perhaps even more important than physical fitness. The same could be said about spiritual sustenance vs. physical nourishment. Would you agree?
Read I Timothy 4:1-16
1 Timothy 4
Apostasy
1 But the Spirit explicitly says that in later times some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons, 2 by means of the hypocrisy of liars seared in their own conscience as with a branding iron, 3 men who forbid marriage and advocate abstaining from foods which God has created to be gratefully shared in by those who believe and know the truth. 4 For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with gratitude; 5 for it is sanctified by means of the word of God and prayer.
Discipline
6
In pointing out these things to the brethren, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, constantly nourished on the words of the faith and of the sound doctrine which you have been following. 7 But have nothing to do with worldly fables fit only for old women. On the other hand, discipline (train) yourself for the purpose of godliness; 8 for bodily discipline is only of little profit, but godliness is profitable for all things, since it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come. 9 It is a trustworthy statement deserving full acceptance. 10 For it is for this we labor and strive, because we have fixed our hope on the living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially of believers. 11 Prescribe and teach these things. 12 Let no one look down on your youthfulness, but rather in speech, conduct, love, faith and purity, show yourself an example of those who believe. 13 Until I come, give attention to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation and teaching. 14 Do not neglect the spiritual gift within you, which was bestowed on you through prophetic utterance with the laying on of hands by the presbytery. 15 Take pains with these things; be absorbed in them, so that your progress will be evident to all. 16 Pay close attention to yourself and to your teaching; persevere in these things, for as you do this you will ensure salvation both for yourself and for those who hear you.
Questions for interactive discussion:
Strange teachings, godless myths, and man-made religions will always surround a life of godliness. Describe examples of these in our society today.
Why do you think Paul was so forceful in warning Timothy to avoid these teachings?
Why do we often associate godliness with people who are much older than we are?
In verse 7, Paul tell his young disciple to "Train himself be godly." What does Paul say should be Timothy’s exercise program?
Should we devote less time to working out physically, than we should devote to spiritual fitness? Why, or why not? How does this relate to spiritual vs. physical nourishment (see Matthew 4:4)?
Whether we are attempting to become spiritually or physically fit there will be barriers to both. Discuss together what you have found to be barriers to each, and ways to overcome them.
HARD HAT AREA: My response to this lesson
I will begin a spiritual fitness program by exercising with Bible study, prayer, fellowship with other believers, and exercising opportunities to share my faith in Jesus Christ.
Godly character is more than just a set of activities. Likewise, physical fitness helps to maintain the temple of the Holy Spirit (see I Corinthians 6:19) in order to live healthiest for God’s purpose. Therefore, I will prayerfully ask God for wisdom and guidance for the right balance in both of these areas of my life.
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