Monday, January 10, 2011

Letters from the Mailbox

From Contagious on Sunday, January 9th.

“hey Andy, one topic I would like to learn about more is being holy in a non Christian place (for example my parents don't really walk the walk and I would like to know more practical ways where I can be godly and what to do in situations....etc)”

Main Idea: To be godly does not come naturally but it’s what God expects from us.

Godliness take effort. (1 Timothy 4:7)


Godliness is not the “easy” road (1 Timothy 3:12)


God gives us the ability to be godly (Titus 2:11,12; 2 Peter 1:3)


The godly focus on the future not on the present. (2 Peter 3:11)


Godliness looks like . . . (1 Peter 2:11-17)

From the verses above godliness looks like::

  • Avoid placing yourself near temptation
  • Have a good reputation
  • Respect all human authority
  • Live honorable lives.
  • Respect everyone
  • Love your fellow Christ followers
  • Fear God
POD discussion:

Name Game –

Say: “I’m going to mention a word and you tell me what that word makes you think.” (one word answers)

La Fogatta

Starbucks

Bush Gardens

President

Algebra

School Teacher

Church

Jesus Christ

Godly

Say: Andy said, “Godliness takes effort”

Ask: What do you think that means?

Say: 1 Timothy 4:7 actually says we are to “train ourselves to be godly”.
Ask: What do you think is involved in that “training”?

Where do you struggle most with training to be godly?

Godliness is not the “easy” road

(have a student read the verse below)

12 In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted,
1 Timothy 3:12

Ask: In what ways have you been persecuted for your faith?

(you may get general answers like, “I was made fun of”. Ask them to be specific and give details if possible)

Ask: If you aren’t catching any heat or persecution what does that possibly indicate about your godliness, your living a godly life?

God gives us the ability to be godly

(have a student read the verses below)

11 For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. 12 It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age,

Titus 2:11,12

(have another students read the verse below)

3 His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.

2 Peter 1:3

Ask: In light of what these verses say how does that make you feel when you think about the task of living a godly life?

Why do you think that we sometimes struggle with living the godly life? (the answer I’m looking for is “we try to do it on our own”.

Ask students to take a moment and do the self evaluation on their sheet:

(this is what is on their sheet)

Am I living a godly life? Yes No It’s hit and miss

What are some steps I need to be taking to train myself to be godly?

Is there a relationship or lifestyle or habit I need to give up today to become more godly? Yes No

This week I will ____­­­____________________________ to become more godly.


Our student worksheet had a perforated tear off that they could pull off and write their question/topic for the mailbox.

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