Pursuing Holiness - Discussion 6

The Pursuit of a Surrendered Life
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Discussion 6 – Christian Attitudes

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.

Pursuing Holiness is valueless without Love

1 Corinthians 13:1-8

Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.

Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.

Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.

  • What role does our love for God play in our pursuit of Holiness?
  • How might our love for others affect our pursuit of Holiness?
  • Why does pursuing godliness without love “profit nothing”?

Proper Attitudes are Critical in Pursuing Holiness

Ephesians 4:31-32

Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.

  • Explain how the first list of things to stop doing would hinder the pursuit of holiness.
  • Explain how the second list can enhance or promote holiness.
  • How has the Holy Spirit personally eradicated unholy attitudes in your life?

Hebrews 12:15

Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled;

  • A “root” denotes a source. What are some sources of bitterness that would trouble you?
  • How does this root of bitterness cause many to be defiled?
  • What can we do to guard against this in our pursuit of holiness?

Psalms 119:165

Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them.

  • How does loving God’s law establish peace in our lives?
  • How can offense hinder our pursuit of holiness?
  • What ways can loving the law of God help guard against offense?

Pride

Proverbs 16:18

Pride goeth before destruction,

and an haughty spirit before a fall.

  • What would you say is the definition of pride?
  • Is all pride wrong? Explain.
  • How might pride be a destroyer of holiness?

James 4:6

But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.

  • T.F. Tenney once said, “It’s your job to humble yourself. It’s God’s job to promote you. If you insist on doing His job, then He must do yours.” What does it mean that God “resists the proud”?
  • What value does grace have in our pursuit of holiness?
  • Can you share a time when God gave you grace?

Attitude during correction

Psalms 25:4-5

Shew me thy ways, O LORD; teach me thy paths.

Lead me in thy truth, and teach me:

for thou art the God of my salvation;

on thee do I wait all the day.

  • Why is correction important in our pursuit of holiness?
  • How can our attitude toward being taught benefit or harm this pursuit?
  • Describe a time when correction from others improved your behavior or attitude.

Proverbs 17:10

A reproof entereth more into a wise man

than an hundred stripes into a fool.

  • Put this verse into your own words.
  • What helps a person be receptive to reproof?
  • When have you experienced this Proverb being accurate?

2 Timothy 3:16-17

All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

  • According to this passage, what 4 ways is scripture profitable?
  • For each of these areas, explain what it means and how it affects our holiness.
  • What might it mean to be “thoroughly furnished unto all good works”?

Next Week: Pursuing Holiness – Lesson 7- The Tongue and Eye

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