SEARCH 199 – “GROWING GOD’S WAY. . .”

Key Verse

I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live.
— Deuteronomy 30:19

Decision-Making

Judges 6:11-40
  1. What was the decision that Gideon was faced with making? Of what consequence was it if he made the wrong decision? See Judges 7:19-23.
  2. Name the four happenings upon which Gideon based his decision to do what God commanded him.
  3. Can one know God’s will in making a decision? Support your answer with Scripture.
  4. What is the spiritual meaning of putting out a fleece? Do you think this is a good way to make a decision? Explain your answer.
  5. Why is God concerned with even the lesser decisions we make on a day-to-day basis?
  6. What sources are helpful in making good decisions? What sources are harmful in making good decisions? See Psalm 1:1-2.
  7. Do you think it is possible to make every decision based upon God’s Word? For instance, will God’s Word tell a person which school to attend or which friends to associate with or which job to accept? Read Matthew 6:33, and explain your answer.
  8. Reflect back over the past year concerning any major decisions you have had to make. What were the processes you went through in order to make those decisions? Were there times when you should have done something differently?

THEME THOUGHTS

Christian maturity comes as a result of taking a realistic, practical, and God-directed approach to both the opportunities and the problems of life. That is why the admonitions found in the Bible are of proven value. They apply to the everyday experiences we face. How to gain Christian maturity is the thrust of the lessons to be studied during this quarter. The basic point to remember in considering the precepts of this unit is that submitting to Christ as our Lord and Savior comes first. With this thought in mind, we begin the unit by focusing on the reality of Jesus’ presence with us and in us. The second lesson deals with the subject of Christian growth, establishing that God’s Word outlines certain ways and means of spiritual development, and that spiritual growth is necessary. With these two lessons as the foundation for the quarter, we move into a consideration of specific areas such as decision-making, resisting the devil, avoiding physical and spiritual pollution, self-discipline, and how to deal with personal problems. Our quarter concludes with a lesson on looking at the outcome, in which we will be encouraged to see the importance of measuring our daily actions by whether these actions will draw us closer to God or move us farther away. Our goal this quarter is to reach the point where we can say with Paul, “. . . in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us” (Romans 8:37).

Resources