Midweek The Good, the Bad, and the Absolute Session
4
THE QUESTION Can I do whatever I want if the Bible doesn’t condemn it?
MIDWEEK TALKSHEET
Decisions, Decisions
THE POINT It’s important to think about how your decisions will impact others.
1 Corinthians 10:23-24, 31–11:1
THE BIBLE STUDY The fourth session Bible study identifies four questions to ask when making a decision of right and wrong. Those questions/ principles regarding choices can be used when an issue isn’t black or white. The bottom-line: “When in doubt, don’t.” This midweek study will focus on how our decisions impact others.
DISCUSS THESE POINTS Use the following main points, Scriptures, teaching/discussion ideas, and questions to drive home the question and the point for this session.
A
It’s not just about you.
▷ Read 1 Corinthians 10:23-24. ▶ How do you seek the good of the other person? Why is that
▷ When considering whether or not to do something, ask: 1. Will what I’m doing cause somebody else to stumble? 2. Will it tempt a person to sin? 3. Does it encourage others? 4. Does it strengthen others?
D It’s about non-Christians.
▷ Read 1 Corinthians 10:32-33. ▶ The phrase “try to please everybody” means “to soften one’s heart toward.” What does this mean for a Christian?
▷ When considering whether or not something is OK to do,
ask: Will what I’m doing make people want to know Christ? Will my actions give someone a wrong idea about God?
E
It’s about following Christ’s example.
sometimes difficult?
▷ Read 1 Corinthians 11:1. ▶ What was Christ’s example? Direct students to call out
for the needs and interests of others.
ways in which Christ set an example for us to follow. (Love, selflessness, putting others before Himself, humility.) ▷ When determining whether or not a course of action is right or wrong, think of the example of Jesus. He sacrificed Himself for the needs of others. We should do no less.
▷ As Christians, it’s not just about us. We’re called to look out ▶ How does embracing this truth change the way we make decisions?
B
It’s about God.
▷ Read 1 Corinthians 10:31. ▶ When facing a choice—from getting a job to listening to music—our first question must always be, “Does this give glory to God?” Why ask this question? ▷ Sometimes the answer to the question may be unclear. Another way to ask the question is, “Does this action point back to me, or does it point to God? ▶ How will asking those questions change your decisions?
C
It’s about other Christians.
▷ Read 1 Corinthians 10:32. ▶ Why should we be careful not to offend fellow believers?
0 2 0 KNOWN LEADER 00
WRAP IT UP
▷ Provide students index cards and direct them to list some decisions they are currently facing.
▷ Review the five principles. Challenge students to apply those principles to their current decisions.
▷ Allow volunteers to share how what they learned will impact their decisions.
A complete mid-week event including opening ideas, worship suggestions, illustrations, and a PowerPoint presentation is available at www.lifeway.com/known.