Bible Study: Integrity - Tues @ 7pm (pdt)

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If you'd like to join us for this Bible Study, you can request Ventrilo password here.

We're beginning a new series tonight on Integrity... so if you haven't joined us before, tonight is a perfect time to start!

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Lesson 1: Imitate Jesus

WWJD: Jesus' Character

Mark 10:32-45

1. Verse 32 speaks of the followers of Jesus as being both "astonished" and "afraid." What reasons did they have for feeling each of these emotions (vv 32-34)?

2. If you had been there, how do you think you would have responded to Christ's words in verses 33-34?

3. What does the request of James and John (verse 37) suggest about the values they held at the time?

4. In what ways are you like (or not like) James and John in this setting?

5. To "drink the cup I drink" meant to share a person's fate. What did Jesus promise - and not promise (vv. 39-40)? Why?

6. Think about Jesus' words in verses 42-45. How does Jesus' view of greatness differ from what you normally see?

7. What does "leadership" entail (vv 43-45)? In what ways did Jesus live out that description?

8. How would greatness, as it is described here by Jesus, look in your church? School? Workplace? Home?

***Pick a troubling situation in your family, church, school, or workplace. To the best of your understanding, what would Jesus do in that situation? How can you imitate Him there - as you pursue your goal of integrity?

Other Scriptures: 1 John 3:2-3; Joshua 24:15; Romans 12:1-2

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Practice Self-Control

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a3spvQYlB-I


Judges 16

Come with a heart to share and learn!

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If you'd like to join us for this Bible Study, you can request Ventrilo password here.

Keep Commitments
Hosea 1:1-2:1; 3

Group Discussion: What commitments are part of your life? On a scale of 1-10, rate yourself on how well you keep that commitment - making any explanations you wish.

Read Hosea 1:2-2:1


1. What success would you give this marriage? Why?

2. Notice the names that God gave to each of Hosea's children. (Look for "because" and "for" in verses 4-9.)

3. In spite of the promised losses, God also offers relief. What hope do you find here (vv. 1:7, 10-12; 2:1)?

4. What do these verses suggest about God's commitment to His people?

5. Name an experience that has made you aware of God's commitment to you.


Read Hosea 3


6. In what ways did God ask Hosea to express his marriage commitment to Gomer?

7. What would make Hosea's task difficult?

8. When have you made a commitment that was hard to keep?

9. What is God saying about himself in these early chapters of Hosea?

10. How might you begin to imitate God in one of your commitments?



Other Scriptures: Psalm 37:5-6

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Cultivate Endurance

When it comes to endurance, I am like
(a) a sprinter: I commit quickly, but I finish quickly too
(b) a hurdler: I skip over the hard parts but keep running
(c) a backpacker: I hike a long distance and carry a lot of stuff
(d) an observer: I don't commit at all if I can help it
(e) a baseball player: when it rains I head to the dugout
(f) or ___________________

Job 1:1-2:10

Can endurance be compared to faith? relationships? work?
How does endurance show through Job?

Do we show endurance, or take the easy way out in our walk?

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If you'd like to join us for this Bible Study, you can request Ventrilo password here.

Expect Temptation

Group Discussion: What kinds of temptations seem to be a natural part of your ordinary living?

Read: 1 Corinthians 10:13; Hebrews 2:18; Hebrews 4:15.




Three Scenes from Genesis 39

Verses 1-6a


1. What temptation was Joseph facing?

2. What was good and what was difficult about Joseph's situation in Egypt?

3. God is mentioned several times in this section. How did He reveal himself and to whom?

4. Even though Joseph was a slave, he was given much power and responsibility. What temptations related to power and responsibility do you see today?


Verses 7-18


5. What forms of sexual harassment did Joseph have to cope with from Potiphar's wife?

6. In verse 9, Joseph explained to Potiphar's wife why he refused to sleep with her. What values are expressed by those reasons?

7. What values could help people today resist the many sexual temptations of our era?

8. what practical steps can God's people today take to resist (or avoid) sexual temptation?


Verse 19-21


9. Joseph did the right thing, yet he landed in jail. What does this suggest about the practical aspects of resisting temptation?

10. What new temptations would have faced him in prison?

11. God was with Joseph in prison, just as He had been with him in Potiphar's house. When have you sensed God's presence - even though everything else seemed to be going wrong?

12. Joseph seemed to expect temptation - at least enough to resist it. What temptations have you learned to expect?

13. What are some ways that you can prepare to resist temptation? (Read Matthew 4:1-11.)

If time permits: Galatians 6:1

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Guard Your Tongue

Prepare for some group exercises for this one folks!

James 3:1-12


Psalm 37:30
Psalm 141:3
Proverbs 15:1
1 Peter 3:9-11

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If you'd like to join us for this Bible Study, you can request Ventrilo password here.

Topic: Forgiveness

Core Scripture: John 21




Group Discussion: Why is forgiveness difficult to give and to receive?

Intro: Luke 22:31-34

Read: John 21:1-14

1. Try to put yourself in Peter's sandals. What are some of your thoughts and feelings?

2. In what ways did Jesus show that he wanted to continue a relationship with His disciples?

3. What would be hard about any continued relationship with Jesus at this point?


Read: 1 John 4:19-21
4. Jesus created an atmosphere that made it easy for his disciples to be with Him. Consider one of your own difficult relationships. If you wanted to, what could you do to create a welcoming setting that might lead toward forgiveness?

Read: John 21:15-15

5. What do you think was painful to Peter in his conversation with Jesus?

6. Although Jesus did not mention the word forgiveness, what all do you see that suggests Jesus has forgiven Peter?

7. What does the conversation with Jesus reveal about Peter's future responsibilities?

8. What do you personally find reassuring about Peter's conversation with Jesus?

9. Why is it important to learn to give and receive forgiveness?

10. Peter was one of Jesus' closest disciples. Why is it particularly hard to forgive people who are close to you?


Read: Matthew 5:23-24; 18:15-22
11. Bring to mind one person with whom you need to extend or receive forgiveness. What is a step you can take in that direction?

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Trust God

Psalm 25

When you are in a difficult situation, what kind of prayer are you likely to pray?
What does it mean to 'lift your soul to God"?
What would you want God to remember (and forget) about you?

vv. 1-3 Trust HIM
vv. 4-7 Teach Me
vv. 8-15 Praise HIM
vv. 16-22 Protect Me

David meditated on God's character. How can this meditation help us strengthen our integrity?