Lesson: It is negative to ignore the negative; it is positive to eliminate the negative.
DISCUSSION STARTERS
- Review the thought starter at the beginning of the chapter. What thoughts were started?
- Review the lead Bible verse. What does it say to you? Did you observe yourself in relation to the verse? Did you observe others in relation to the verse? Did you find any additional verses?
- What is your response to the lesson at the end of the chapter?
1. Are you serious about really wanting to know the truth about yourself?
2. Study this list of the fruit of the Spirit and the fruit of the flesh. Talk with God and ask Him to show you in which areas you fall short.
3. The left hand column in Table 3 is a word picture of the fruit of the Spirit.
a. Can you act Spirit-filled without being Spirit-filled?
b. Won’t acting Spirit-filled gradually make you Spirit-filled?
c. Can another person tell if you are only acting?
4. The right-hand column is a “normal” life with sin in control.
a. Under each category, can you cover up and act like you are Spirit-filled?
b. What will covering your sins do to you?
5. If you want to get serious about understanding the areas in which you fall short in these lists and if you are brave, you might ask your mate or a close friend to let you read off the words on this list. Ask them to give you a quick “yes” or “no” to the question, “Am I _____?” or “Do I _______?” “Do I have _______?” “Do I have a problem with _______?” Be sure to tell them to be totally honest before God because you need their help. If you do this with three or four people that are close to you, I guarantee you will have an eye-opening experience. Expect to be surprised. This is not a parlor game. Reserve the right to stop at any time. Don’t react outwardly when your inward reaction to your helper is screaming, “You’re crazy! I don’t have a problem in that area. Don’t argue; just write the “yes” or “no” down next to the area for later prayer, thought, or discussion.
6. Read Jeremiah 17:9-10. How would these verses apply to the lesson?
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