Next Steps--Lesson 20--Discipline of ther Mind

Discussion Questions:

1.     What struggles do you have with keeping your mind focused upon the eternal Kingdom instead of getting caught up in focusing upon the temporary?  What kinds of things help you think about what matters for eternity?

2.     How are anxiety and worry tied to what you place into your mind?  What kinds of filters or boundaries do you have for the types of things you let into your mind?

3.     How is our view of money more a character issue than an amount issue?  How did Paul learn to be content whether he had much or little? 

4.     Why is understanding the King and the ways of His Kingdom so important for character development?  How do you suppose the Master would have reacted in the Parable of the Talents toward the person with one talent if when the Master returned he told him he had lost his talent because there was someone in need and he gave it to help them out?

5.     What “glasses” has God provided for you to see Him and His Kingdom better?  How often do you forget to put on your “glasses”?  Why do we let ourselves get used to life without “glasses”?

6.     In what ways have you seen people use distortion to fix distortion?  How does one effectively surrender their viewpoints to the viewpoints of the LORD?

7.     Do you agree that our reactions show better who we really are than our actions?  What kinds of reactions does God need to transform in your life?

8.     What kinds of lies do you tell yourself that you know are not true if you take time to compare the lies to the word of God?  How do these lies maintain their power in our lives if we see they are not true?

Next Steps--Lesson 19--Character and Government--Genesis 11; Psalm 128 + Various Passages

Discussion Questions:

1.  Why is God’s design of government contingent upon the character, integrity, and self-governing of the individual? 

2.  Why did God emphasize the sanctity of life right after the flood and new beginning?  Why are the values of life and property an important foundation for government?  How does knowing this assist in character and integrity development?

3.  What is a theocracy?  How is this the appropriate model for what God desires for our government?  How are religion without relationship with God and government without relationship with God the same thing?

4.  What is the connection between government of the individual, the family, the church, and the state?  How does Psalm 128 show the beauty of these working together?  How many benefits can you see listed in Psalm 128 when fear of the LORD is at the core of government?

5.  What does the Tower of Babel account teach us about decentralized government?  Why is a one-world centralized government system dangerous? 

6.  How have you seen mankind fall into the trap of building towers to reach the heavens in modern times?  What are some ways you see better wisdom in God’s ways to save mankind than what human governing has come up with?

7.  How is self-governing, character development, humility, and fear of the LORD vital to having peace instead of chaos? 

8.  There are no perfect candidates, so how do these concepts assist in what to consider when elections arise in determining what candidates one should vote for?

Next Steps--Lesson 18--The Importance of Self-Discipline--Genesis 12 & Romans 7

Discussion Questions:

1.     Do you agree or disagree that salvation is not the goal, but the gift of a walk with God?  If so, how does that change what your daily life should be accomplishing?

2.     Discipleship was defined as putting all things under the LORDship of Jesus.  Are there some areas of your character and/or integrity that are not completely under the LORDship of Jesus?  What steps should you take this week to walk towards surrender of these things to Jesus?

3.     What does seeking first the Kingdom and His righteousness look like in everyday living?  How does this reduce worry and anxiety?

4.     How did Abraham show intention and discipline in seeking first the Kingdom and God’s righteousness when he came to the Promised Land?  What caused the change in him when he went to Egypt? 

5.     How did the way Abraham handled his problems and compromised his character in Egypt negatively affect his family and the people around him?  Have there been times you have become more of a source of curse instead of a source of blessing because you lost sight of the Kingdom and His righteousness?

6.     What reaction did you have to the picture of the boy wearing 7 days of deodorant in one day?  How have we sometimes treated our walk with God the same way?  What are some daily habits or disciplines you have in your life to avoid this?

7.     What long-term changes are evident in Abraham as you read his whole story?  How does this show the process God takes us through to develop our own characters and disciplines?  What kind of mediating have you done to rescue those bound for destruction?  How willing are you to get out of your comfort zone to do the difficult things God asks?

8.     What battles have you had with not doing what you want to do and doing what you don’t want to do?  How have you seen the incredible standards of God and wondered how you could possibly live up to them?  If struggling with this has led to feelings of being wretched, how does that put us right where God wants us?