Explanation
This virtue reflects your approach to taking action to serve God, your family, your church and your fellow man. Do you take initiative to do the right things in your life? Are you dependable with the various tasks and obligations to which you have been entrusted? Can others count on you? Are you loyal to God, family and friends? Are you more motivated by instant gratification and short term comfort than you are by a commitment to God and others? Are you willing to work and sacrifice for ideas larger than yourself? Do you feel a strong sense of responsibility to serve God, your family, your church and your fellow man? Do you stick with important tasks and relationships or do you have a tendency to give up? Are you willing to stand up for God and others when doing so is unpopular and costly?
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.
God’s Faithfulness
Psalm 18:25 – To the faithful you show yourself faithful, to the blameless you show yourself blameless. NIV
Psalm 37:28 – For the LORD loves the just and will not forsake his faithful ones. NIV
Psalm 145:13 – The LORD is faithful to all his promises and loving toward all he has made. NIV
Faithfulness
Proverbs 12:11- He who works his land will have abundant food, but he who chases fantasies lacks judgment. NIV
Romans 12:11-13 – Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with God’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality. 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
Deuteronomy 11:19 -Teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. NIV
See also Romans 2:7
Diligence
Proverbs 27:23 – Be sure you know the condition of your flocks, give careful attention to your herds. NIV
Proverbs 12:24 – Diligent hands will rule, but laziness ends in slave labor. NIV
See also Proverbs 21:5 & Ecclesiastes 11:6
Sloth
Proverbs 20:13 – Do not love sleep or you will grow poor; stay awake and you will have food to spare. NIV
Ecclesiastes 10:18 – If a man is lazy, the rafters sag; if his hands are idle, the house leaks. NIV
Ephesians 4:28 – He who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with his own hands, that he may have something to share with those in need. NIV
See also Proverbs 13:15, 15:19 & Ephesians 6:4
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
- Do something with your children they have always wanted to do, but you have never made the time.
- Plan two date nights with your spouse over the next month.
- Commit to make your church a priority for the next month. You will attend worship every Sunday. You will attend a weekly bible study or small group. You will volunteer in at least one are of service. You will tithe on your income. You will invite at least one other person to come with you.
- Make a list of obligations you feel you have towards your family: spouse, children, parents, church and employer. Hone the list with your spiritual coach. Identify the areas in which you are inconsistent or irresponsible and develop a plan to address them.
- Pray daily for your family, church and community for at least 15 minutes per day for two weeks.
- Make a list of the top five stressors in your life. Expound on your list by noting how each stressor uniquely temps you to compromise your relationship with God.
- Make a list of the top five most challenging people in your life. Expound on your list by noting how each one of these people uniquely temps you to compromise your relationship with God.
- We live in an age where many people feel they are entitled to various benefits and privileges they receive. The fact of the matter is that many people bless us because they choose to, not because they have to. Find a tangible way to express your gratitude to your spouse, employer and parents for the blessings they provide in your life.
- Write a firm but loving letter to yourself from God regarding the ways you need to be more faithful in your relationship with him?
- Proverbs indicates that a strong work ethic and a quiet consistency should characterize a godly person. What kind of employee (or student) are you? Are you a gossip, grumbler or complainer? Do you complete your tasks correctly and on time? Are you a good teammate who collaborates well and assists others? Are you respectful of authority? Do you show up to work on time and respect rules and boundaries? What did your latest performance appraisal reveal? What would your boss, co-workers or employees say about you? In other words, examine how you fall short of the Christian work ethic of quiet consistency and competence. Where do you struggle at work? Resolve to improve these issues, and along with your spiritual coach, develop appropriate steps for your context. Set specific goals you will implement over a one month period. Discuss with your coach your success and impact of your efforts on your work environment, your boss, your coworkers and yourself.
RECOMMENDED READING
- Adele Ahlberg Calhoun – Spiritual Disciplines Handbook, (Readings on Service, Witness, Compassion, Justice, Stewardship)
- Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis
- A Grief Observed by C.S. Lewis
- The Cost of Discipleship by Dietrich Bonheoffer
- The Pilgrim’s Progress by John Bunyan
- Hinds Feet on High Places by Hannah Hurnard
- The Resolution for Men by Kendrick and Alcorn
- Every Man’s Challenge by Arterburn and Stoeker
- What Kid’s Need Most in a Dad by Tim Hansel
- The Excellent Wife by Martha Peace
- Church Membership by Jonathan Leeman