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?