Pursuing Holiness - Discussion 5

The Pursuit of a Surrendered Life
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Discussion 5 – Honesty & Integrity

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.

Read

For each section of verse below: One person will first read the scripture selection in the King James Version.

Re-read

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.

Retell

One person will begin retelling the scripture passage in their own words (a new person to start each week is great!) Then…

As a group, work together to fill in gaps and build knowledge towards understanding and wisdom. This will help us internalize and own it. Be sure everyone participates.

Lying and Bearing False Witness

Revelation 21:27

And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb’s book of life.

  • In this verse speaking about Heaven, what are some things that are not permitted to enter there?
  • What are some ways that someone could lie without using their words?
  • Are people who lie written in the Lamb’s book of life?

Exodus 20:16

Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour.

  • This is one of the ten commandments, so we know it’s important to God. Can you explain what it might mean to “bear false witness” against someone?
  • Share a real example you know of where someone did this (without giving away who it was, of course!)

Psalms 15:1-4

LORD, who shall abide in thy tabernacle? who shall dwell in thy holy hill?

He that walketh uprightly, and worketh righteousness,

and speaketh the truth in his heart.

He that backbiteth not with his tongue,

nor doeth evil to his neighbour,

nor taketh up a reproach against his neighbour.

In whose eyes a vile person is contemned;

but he honoureth them that fear the LORD.

He that sweareth to his own hurt, and changeth not.

  • How important is it to you that someone keeps promises they made to you?
  • When is it permissible to not keep a promise? Why?
  • List some things from this passage that would be considered dishonest.

1 Samuel 16:1-5 

And the LORD said unto Samuel, How long wilt thou mourn for Saul, seeing I have rejected him from reigning over Israel? fill thine horn with oil, and go, I will send thee to Jesse the Bethlehemite: for I have provided me a king among his sons. And Samuel said, How can I go? if Saul hear it, he will kill me. And the LORD said, Take an heifer with thee, and say, I am come to sacrifice to the LORD. And call Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will shew thee what thou shalt do: and thou shalt anoint unto me him whom I name unto thee. And Samuel did that which the LORD spake, and came to Bethlehem. And the elders of the town trembled at his coming, and said, Comest thou peaceably? And he said, Peaceably: I am come to sacrifice unto the LORD: sanctify yourselves, and come with me to the sacrifice. And he sanctified Jesse and his sons, and called them to the sacrifice.

  • Why did Samuel have concern about going to anoint a new king in place of Saul?
  • In what circumstances might it be appropriate to not divulge information when asked?
  • Share an experience where you were tempted to lie to protect yourself, but found an honest way to avoid it.

Theft

Exodus 20:15

Thou shalt not steal.

  • Why might this commandment from God have been so brief and without explanation?
  • How would you define stealing?
  • Share some examples of stealing that some people might think are harmless.

Ephesians 4:28

Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.

  • When might it be permissible to take something into your possession that you didn’t earn?
  • What does this verse tell us about the lifestyle of those who have stolen?

Malachi 3:8 

Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me.

But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee?

In tithes and offerings.

  • What is a tithe, and why is it important?
  • How might neglecting to give offerings and tithe to the Lord be stealing from Him?
  • Other there other ways to rob God than by withholding our money from Him? Explain.

Fraud

Leviticus 19:13

Thou shalt not defraud thy neighbour, neither rob him: the wages of him that is hired shall not abide with thee all night until the morning.

  • Why is it important to pay someone quickly for the work they’ve done?
  • Share what the word, “defraud” means to you.
  • In what ways have you witnessed someone being defrauded?

1 Thessalonians 4:6-7

That no man go beyond and defraud his brother in any matter: because that the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also have forewarned you and testified. For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness.

  • What is the comparison Paul makes in this verse between fraud and holiness?
  • According to this verse, how does God view fraud, and what is His response to it?
  • How persistent was Paul about this teaching, and why?

Work Ethic

Ephesians 6:5-8

Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ; Not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart; With good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men: Knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord, whether he be bond or free.

  • According to this passage, what should our attitude be toward working for an employer?
  • If we don’t feel rightly compensated for our work, what should our attitude and response be?
  • What are some ways that people who feel unjustly compensated might try to make up for it at work in an unjust way?
  • What does it mean to not do our labor with “eyeservice”?
  • How does our work ethic impact our holiness, and relationship with God?

Conclusion

Matthew 16:26

For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?

  • How would you compare the pursuit of earthly gain to the pursuit of spiritual gain?
  • Why do people often seem to pursue the earthly over the heavenly?
  • How might a person change their focus from earthly to heavenly?
  • Is it possible to have earthly gain, and still be holy? Explain.

Next Week: Pursuing Holiness – Lesson 6 – Christian Attitudes

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