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?

Next Steps--Lesson 21--No Compromise--Daniel 3 + Various Passages

Discussion Questions:

1.  What does it mean that God is sovereign?  How does believing in the sovereignty of God play into the development of one’s character and integrity?    

2.  What trouble have you had standing when everyone else seems to be bowing to the gods of this world?  Are there any areas of your character or integrity in which you know you should have stood, but you bowed down anyway? 

3.  How did Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego prepare themselves long before the situation of bowing to the golden statue arose?  How have you seen choices from your past help or hinder your ability to do the right thing in a moment of quick decision?

4.  How have you seen people shift from faith in God to faith in faith?  How has this affected their peace and hope?

5.  How does trust in the sovereign plan of God help with things like suffering and other heinous events that take place in this fallen world?  How have you seen God allow or even use darkness to bring about His good intentions?

6.  Why is it best for our character to be based upon God’s promises and covenants?  How does this bring stability to what seems to be shifting sand in ethics and morality?

7.  Why have comfort and happiness become gods in most people’s lives?  How does emphasis on comfort and happiness work against healthy character and integrity? 

8.  Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego wound up providing a witness to God by the standing they did.  How have you seen witnesses provided in our own time by people who chose to stand when most everyone else bows?