Explanation
Righteousness literally means right relationships. The scriptures call us to a right relationship with both God and others. This is technically referred to as positional and practical righteousness. There is a righteousness that comes through faith in Jesus and makes us right with God. This is positional righteousness and is covered in the Salvation section of “Thrive 316.” Our relationship with God should also spill over into our relationship with others. This is practical righteousness and is the focus of this section in “Thrive 316.” What exactly do right relationships look like? How does God expect us to relate to others? Why is our relationship with others a reflection of our relationship with God? Why are righteousness and holiness (character) so closely linked? How does righteousness express the virtues of the Christian life? How does my faith in Christ impact my relationships with my family, friends, neighbors, co-workers and people in general?
KEY SCRIPTURES
Key Scriptures
Key Scriptures are designed to give a biblical overview of the topic in question. They are extremely valuable for gaining an immediate general understanding of what the Bible teaches on a given subject. Key Scriptures are the first place you should explore when starting a new subject. They can be discussed individually, in part, or in whole. Generic inductive Bible study questions are provided to assist you in your discussion. Key Scriptures are also good for memorizing and reference.
The Righteousness of God
Psalm 116:5 – The LORD is gracious and righteous; our God is full of compassion. NIV
Psalm 33:5 – The LORD loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of his unfailing love. NIV
Isaiah 41:10 – So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. NIV
See also Numbers 14:18; Psalm 37:39, & 71:24
Seeking righteousness
Matthew 5:6 – Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. NIV
Ephesians 4:24 – Put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. NIV
1 Timothy 6:11 – But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. NIV
2 Timothy 2:22-23 – Flee the evil desires of youth, and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. NIV
Psalm 23:3 – He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. NIV
The righteous life
Ecclesiastes 9:9 – Enjoy life with your wife, whom you love. NIV
Proverbs 22:6 – Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it. NIV
1 Timothy 3:4-5 – He must manage his own family well and see that his children obey him with proper respect. (If anyone does not know how to manage his own family, how can he take care of God’s church?) NIV
Proverbs 15:20 – A wise son brings joy to his father, but a foolish man despises his mother. NIV
2 Peter 3:14 – So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him. NIV
Deuteronomy 24:15 – Pay him his wages each day before sunset, because he is poor and is counting on it. Otherwise he may cry to the LORD against you, and you will be guilty of sin. NIV
Exodus 22:14 – If a man borrows an animal from his neighbor and it is injured or dies while the owner is not present, he must make restitution. NIV
See also Proverbs 23:22, Ecclesiastes 4:10, Proverbs 3:29, & Galatians 5:14
The fruits of righteousness
Proverbs 21:21 – He who pursues righteousness and love finds life, prosperity and honor. NIV
Psalm 97:11 – Light is shed upon the righteous and joy on the upright in heart. NIV
Psalm 34:15 – The eyes of the LORD are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their cry. NIV
2 Peter 3:13 – But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness. NIV
Matthew 13:43 – Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. NIV
See also Genesis 7: 1-2, Psalm 5:12; 37: 5-6, & Hosea 10:12
Inductive Bible Study Questions
to be used with individual Key Scriptures
- What is the primary point of this passage?
- How does this passage challenge us?
- How does this passage comfort or encourage us?
- What does this passage teach us about God?
- What spiritual insights are found in this passage?
- What are the personal & spiritual implications of this text?
- What does this passage ask or require of us?
Key Scriptures Bible Study
to be used when studying all Key Scriptures together
- Did any of the scriptures given surprise you? Explain
- Did any of the scriptures given confuse you? Explain
- Did any of the scriptures given comfort or excite you?
- How would you sum up these scriptures to another?
- What implications do these scriptures have for our lives?
- Which of these scriptures would you find it valuable to memorize?
DISCUSSION GUIDES
GROWING EXERCISES
- Consider any bitterness, resentment or unforgiveness you carry in your heart. Pray and ask God to forgive you for holding on to these offenses. Remember to name them one by one to God. Takes steps to reconcile where possible any brokenness that has resulted from your behavior. Discuss these steps with a mentor or friend to hold you accountable and process learning.
- Consider anyone that you have wronged in some way. Perhaps you spoke poorly about them and maligned their image. Perhaps you took advantage of them in some way? Perhaps you undermined their best interests in some way. It could be anything. Go to these people, confess your sin, and seek forgiveness. Provide restitution where appropriate. Discuss these steps with a mentor or friend to hold you accountable and process learning.
- One of the highest values of righteousness is peace. Consider any tension you currently have with another person. Pray about how God would have you resolve or diffuse that tension. What overtures can you make to improve the situation? How can you practice the principles in Matthew 5: 23-24; 5: 38-48; 18: 15-16 in this situation? Develop and implement a game place for peace and service in these relationships. Discuss these steps with a mentor or friend to hold you accountable and process learning.
- Target a relationship with a family member or friend that you desire to improve. Begin by making a list of all the reasons you appreciate that person. Next, brainstorm specific actions on your part you believe will strengthen the relationship. You may even wish to share your list with them and say ‘thank you.’ Develop and implement a game plan to strengthen the relationship. Discuss these steps with a mentor or friend to hold you accountable and process learning.
- Practical righteousness is about doing what is right and in our relationship with others and honoring others above ourselves. As Christians we seek to reflect Christ as godly parents, spouses, sons, daughters, friends, neighbors, co-workers, employees, bosses, citizens, church members, and so on. Each of these relationships carries obligations for those seeking to walk with God in righteousness. Each relationship is different, and we all do better in some roles than others. Sometimes the people we relate to in various roles impacts our level of righteousness because some people are easier to relate to than others. Examine the roles provided below and circle how well or how righteous you feel you are in these different roles. 1 is the lowest and 10 is the highest.
Parent 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Spouse 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Son /Daughter 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Friend 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Neighbor 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Employee/Student 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Boss/Authority Figure 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Citizen 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Church Member 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Now, using a different color pen, place a square on the number for each role for how you honestly feel others would rate you.
Now, using a different color pen still, place a triangle on the number for each role for how you honestly feel God would rate you.
Are there differences from how you rate yourself, how others would rate you and how God would rate you? What insight does this give you and what do these differences reveal about your spirituality? Where are you stronger? Where do you need to improve? Does this exercise convict you to improve in any specific areas? What can you do to make righteousness more of a priority in your life?
- Identify at least one, and as many as three, of the most righteous people in your life. Remember, righteousness means right relationships. These are people who are the most like Christ in how they relate to others; especially, in critical relationships such as with family, close friends, work and church. They are loving, honest, humble, faithful and sacrificial in their dealings with others. Answer the follow questions about each person.
- What quality do I admire most about them?
- What is their reputation with others?
- What temptations must they overcome to be the way they are?
- In what ways would I act differently if I were in their shoes?
- How do they reflect well on the God they serve?
- What can I learn from them?
Talk through these question for each person with a mentor or friend.
- If you currently do not have a mentor, seek out one of the people you identified in exercise 6 of this section and ask them to disciple or mentor you using the Thrive 316 process.
- Read a relationship book with your spouse, pausing after each chapter or section to discuss learning and application in your marriage.
- Read a parenting book with your spouse, pausing after each chapter or section to discuss learning and application in your family.
- Identify an unresolved need, problem or issue in your workplace, school, church, neighborhood or community. Think of something that needs to be done, but no one is willing to take responsibility for. Take the initiative to follow the proper steps to organize others to collaborate and address the issue. See things through. Remember to be humble and gracious always giving praise to God and others.
RECOMMENDED READING
- Ethics by Dietrich Bonhoeffer
- The Peaceable Kingdom by Stanley Hauerwas
- The Divine Conspiracy by Dallas Willard
- Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis
- Blue Like Jazz by Donald Miller
- The Meaning of Marriage by Timothy Keller
- The 5 Love Languages by Gary Chapman
- The Resolution for Men by Stephen Kendrick and Alex Kendrick
- Give Them Grace: Dazzling Your Kids with the Love of Jesus by Elyse Fitzpatrick and Jessica Thompson
- Why Business Matters to God by Jeff Van Duzer