Next Steps--Lesson 24--Controlling the Tongue--James 3

Discussion Questions:

1.  What are some ways God has demonstrated the power of speech?  How much of that power has God given to us?  How have you seen speech build up and give life or tear down and destroy?

2.  How is the tongue like a fire?  Is this a good or bad thing? 

3.  How is our speech connected to our character?  What does the things we say show about what is in our heart?   

4.  How is using our speech in healthy ways a sign of maturity?  If control of our speech is untamable but also a sign of spiritual maturity, how does one achieve maturity?

5.  What are some practical ways to gain control over our tongue?  What kinds of things move you towards being out of control?

6.  Why is it difficult to let God hold the reins or the rudder of our life?  How is the use of speech a reflection of His control, or lack thereof?

7.  Are there any changes in your speech that need to be made?  Who do you trust to assist you and hold you accountable?

8.  Why do teachers incur a stricter judgment?  Who should be a teacher of the ways of God?  What does this tell us about being intentional about growth in the relationship we have with the LORD?

Next Steps - Lesson 23 - The Discipline of Purity - I Samuel 11 + Various Passages

Discussion Questions:

1. How is impurity far more than just lust and sexuality? What are some areas where you are tempted to give in to impure ways to get what you desire?

2. How do the key characters in David’s life help or hinder the chapters of David’s life being written with success or failure in purity? How is it not about these characters at all, but the depth of his walk and trust in the LORD?

3. How would you explain the change in David from not being willing to take the throne, but waiting for God to give it to him, to sending and taking Bathsheba? What does this teach you about the need to stay vigilant in the war we are in for our soul?

4. How are comfort and the quest for happiness tools Satan uses to entice us into impurity?

5. Do you agree with the statement that when God calls us to purity it is not for His sake? Discuss the implications of this.

6. How have you seen the consequence of impurity affect generations that follow? How have you seen it affect other people besides the individual who commits the impure action?

7. How have you seen God wash away impurity and renew your life? What do you have to thank Him for in this area?

Next Steps--Lesson 22--Unshakeable--Psalm 15

Discussion Questions:

1.  How important is being in the presence of the LORD to you?  What is the danger of being in His presence?  How does this play into having character and integrity fitting for His Kingdom?    

2.  What are some ways recorded in the Scriptures that mankind has attempted to approach God on their own terms?  How have you seen mankind fall into the same trap in modern times?

3.  If approaching God is such a dangerous thing, how do we live in a bond of covenant love with Him?  Why is God “tabernacling” among us important?  How has God shown His willingness to put His tent among our tents in the Old Testament and the New Testament?

4.  How important is the call to “walk with Me and be blameless”?  What does blameless look like?  How does one walk with God and be blameless without falling into the trap of trying to do this by our own power or standard of holiness?

5.  Who does the work of transforming us?  What is God’s role?  What is our role?  How do the things David uses as his standard for dwelling with God in Psalm 15:2-5 show transformation from the heart instead of merely looking the part?

6.  If you graded your spiritual life and character by its authenticity, what grade would you give yourself?  Why?  What areas of transformation could help you improve your grade?

7.  What does it mean that God will make us unshakeable?  How does the history of the Temple show that we are not made unshakeable by man’s power or wisdom?  How does the history of the Temple show the importance of character in line with what God says?