Successful Life - Discussion 2

Biblical Management, Focus, and Commitment
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How to Manage Yourself

Pray

Pray together for the group meeting, and any pressing needs within the group.

Review

Each week you’ll spend some time reviewing the previous week’s lesson. Did anything happen last week that brought the lesson to mind, and what did you learn from it?

Watch

Watch the following discussion-starter video. It’ll set the topic of discussion for the group.

2 Timothy 1:7

Galatians 5:16-24

James 3:9-13

 One person will first read the scripture selection in the King James Version. Next, another person will read the same passages in a modern language or amplified version for more clarity such as the New Living Translation (NLT), Message Bible (MSG), New English Translation (NET), Amplified Bible (AMP), etc. We recommend using the YouVersion Bible app.

Retell

  1. One person will begin retelling the scripture passage in their own words (a new person to start each week is great!) Then…
  2. As a group, work together to fill in gaps and build the story. This will help us internalize and own it. Be sure everyone participates.

Discuss

Together, share around the group how the topic and scripture setting applies to your life personally. Here are some thoughts to consider for discussion… don’t let the discussion stop here, though… what questions can you ask that will help uncover God’s message?

Scripture : 

2 Timothy 1:7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

 What is the takeaway?

  1. What has God given us? What is not a gift from God?
  2. How do love and power co-exist? How do power and a sound mind co-exist?
  3. Would it be healthy to have power without love and a sound mind?
  4. How can we ground ourselves in love and a sound mind?
  5. If you have love and a sound mind, should you think of yourself as powerless?

Galatians 5:16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. 17For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would. 

18 But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law. 

19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, 

20 idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, 

21 envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. 

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 

23 meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. 

24 And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.

Spirit or Flesh?

  1. Who is supposed to do the walking in these scriptures?
  2. What does the flesh lust against? We normally think of lusting FOR something: What does it mean to lust against something?
  3. What does the Spirit lust against?
  4. If we walk in the Spirit what will we long for, what fruit will we strive for?
  5. How can we tell if we are walking in the Spirit or the Flesh

Crucified

  1. How do we crucify the flesh, with its affections and lusts?
  2. How would walking in the Spirit instead of the flesh impact our actions at home?
  3. How would walking in the Spirit instead of the flesh impact our actions at work/school?
  4. How would walking in the Spirit instead of the flesh impact our actions in public?

Preparation

  1. The last verse uses the past tense “crucified”: when should we be crucifying the flesh in order to walk (present tense) in the Spirit?
  2. Why would it be important to have already set aside the flesh and deliberately be walking in the Spirit before doing anything (walkin)?
  3. What is easier – to keep a good attitude ( love, joy, peace, …) or to stop a bad attitude after it has started?

James 3:9 Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God. 

10 Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be. 

11 Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter? 

12 Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries? either a vine, figs? so can no fountain both yield salt water and fresh.

13 Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom.

Do you hear yourself?

  1. Based on these scriptures is there ever a time when we should curse men?
  2. If a spring brings forth salt water what kind of spring is it?
  3. If a tree bears good fruit what kind of tree is it?
  4. If a person says curses, what kind of person are they?
  5. If a person says blessings what kind of person are they?
  6. Does the person that is being spoken about matter in these verses? 

Manage yourself

  1. Look back at our first verse. If you have love and a sound mind then you have access to power.
  2. Controlling your attitude by lusting after the fruit of the Spirit and controlling your tongue allow you to have that love and maintain that sound mind.
  3. Remember: hatred, strife, variance, wrath are on the same level in these scriptures with murder and witchcaft. 
  4. This next week focus on COMPLETELY repenting and turning away from ALL wrath and hatred and variance. No curses, no angry words, no denigration.  Focus on having love and a sound mind and see what power that gives.

Next Week:  The Successful Life – Lesson 3 Managing Your Boss

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