Explanation
This is your approach to personal wants and desires. Do you want what you want when you want it, or are you willing to temper your desires? Is life all about you and your wants and needs or is it about God and others? Do you find that you lack self-control and easily give in to temptation? Do you find that you have a particular weakness towards alcohol, money, sex or food? Do you view others as a means to an end? Do you find yourself wanting what others possess? On the other hand, are you content with your life and possessions? Do you have a giving and generous nature? You are not tempted or threatened by the success or possessions of others? Do you generally serve others? Are you willing to use your position and possessions to help others? Do you practice control over alcohol, money, sex and food? In summary, do you control your needs and desires or do they control you?
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.
Self-Control
Proverbs 25:28 – Like a city whose walls are broken down is a man who lacks self-control. NIV
Galatians 5:22-24 – But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. NIV
Generosity
Proverbs 11:25 – A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed. NIV
Proverbs 22:9 – A generous man will himself be blessed, for he shares his food with the poor. NIV
Isaiah 58:10 – if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed, then your light will rise in the darkness, and your night will become like the noonday. NIV
See also 1 Corinthians 16:2 & Hebrews 13:16
Giving
Acts 20:35 – In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.'” NIV
Luke 12:33-34 – Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will not be exhausted, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. NIV
Luke 6:38 – Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” NIV
See also Deuteronomy 16:7
Contentment
Philippians 4:12-13 – I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength. NIV
Proverbs 23:4 – Do not wear yourself out to get rich; have the wisdom to show restraint. NIV
Lack of restraint
Philippians 3:19 – Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is on earthly things. NIV
1 Peter 4:3- For you have spent enough time in the past doing what pagans choose to do — living in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing and detestable idolatry. NIV
Colossians 3:5 – Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. NIV
See also Proverbs 23:21 & Ecclesiastes 10:17
Greed and covetousness
Exodus 20:17 – “You shall not covet your neighbor’s house. You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his manservant or maidservant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.” NIV
Luke 12:15 – “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” NIV
1 Peter 2:1 – Rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind. NIV
See also Hebrews 13:5, Proverbs 18:1, & Ecclesiastes 5:10
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
- Make a list of the things you believe would bring contentment to your life. Are these things spiritual, relational, material or other? What does this say about you? What would Christ say about your list? What changes do you need to make regarding your desires and expectations in life?
- Make an anonymous gift to a person in need.
- Perform a selfless and sacrificial task for a friend or neighbor in need. Mow someone’s yard without being asked, take someone to the doctor, watch someone’s children or some other good deed that focuses your attention off of yourself and on to another.
- Sit down with your spouse and make a family budget that not only curtails excess spending, but leaves room for God and giving to kingdom work.
- Cut out a small luxury over the next two weeks (Starbucks coffee, Wednesday lunch out, movies, etc…) and reflect on your discipline, self-control and quality of life.
- Make a sacrificial financial gift to your church or worthy mission endeavor.
- Attend a Christian based financial seminar.
- Confess your sexual struggles with your spiritual coach (only if coach is of the same sex) and enlist him or her as an accountability partner. Install accountability software on your computer. Such software is common. One source is XXXchurch.com.
- Commit to make extra effort serving your spouse. What are his or her needs? How can you best meet those needs? What sacrificial act on your part would genuinely brighten their life?
- Keep a food diary. What does the diary say about your self-control. What steps do you need to take in your dietary life to reflect moderation and health?
- Commit to care for your body. Go on a truly healthy diet and begin exercising at least three days per week.
- Abstain from alcohol for one month and reflect on the experience with your spiritual coach. Is this something you may consider removing from your life?
- Fast at least one meal per week for the next 4 weeks. Spend that time praying, reading God’s word or performing a service project.
RECOMMENDED READING
- The New Master Your Money by Ron Blue
- The SALT Plan by Chuck Bentley of Crown Financial Ministries
- The Treasure Principle by Randy Alcorn
- Sex for Christians: The Limits and Liberties of Sexual Living by Lewis B. Smedes
- For Fidelity: How Intimacy and Commitment Enrich our Lives by Catherine M. Wallace
- Selfishness: From Loving Yourself to Loving Your Neighbor by Louie Priolo
- Selfishness: A Whale of a Story by Dr. Phillip D. Williams
- Enough: Contentment in an Age of Excess by Will and Lisa Samson
- The Divine Commodity by Skye Jethani
- Rare Jewell of Christian Contentment by Jeremiah Burroughs
- Respectable Sins: Confronting the Sins We Tolerate by Jerry Bridges
- When Sinners Say I Do by Dave Harvey
- The Pursuit of Holiness by Jerry Bridges
- The Resolution for Men by Stephen and Alex Kendrick
- Adele Ahlberg Calhoun – Spiritual Disciplines Handbook, (Readings on Fasting)