#1-Key Pa.s.sage: 1 Timothy 6:610 What points does this pa.s.sage make about contentment? What points does this pa.s.sage make about contentment? Put the following definition from the book into your own words. Put the following definition from the book into your own words. Contentment is satisfaction with G.o.d's provision. It means resting in what one already has and seeking nothing more. Contentment is satisfaction with G.o.d's provision. It means resting in what one already has and seeking nothing more. Contentment is a settled sense of adequacy. Contentment is a settled sense of adequacy.

#2-Contentment's Partner (pp. 101102) Why must we never be content with who we are; only with what we have? Why must we never be content with who we are; only with what we have? In what sense is a desire for G.o.dliness the ideal partner for contentment? In what sense is a desire for G.o.dliness the ideal partner for contentment?

#3-Spiritual Equation (p. 102) Why can we be confident that the following spiritual formula provides the antidote to coveting: Why can we be confident that the following spiritual formula provides the antidote to coveting: G.o.dliness + Contentment = Great Gain G.o.dliness + Contentment = Great Gain #4-False Formulas (pp. 104106) Consider each of the following popular formulas for living.

G.o.dliness + Prosperity = Great Gain-Not Why can't prosperity subst.i.tute for contentment in our lives? Why can't prosperity subst.i.tute for contentment in our lives?

G.o.dliness + Poverty = Great Gain-Not How does poverty fail as an adequate defense against covetousness? How does poverty fail as an adequate defense against covetousness?

G.o.dliness + Power or Influence = Great Gain-Not Although control of circ.u.mstances and people seems to offer an effective strategy for living, why does it fail miserably? Although control of circ.u.mstances and people seems to offer an effective strategy for living, why does it fail miserably?

G.o.dliness + Family Harmony = Great Gain-Not What shortcomings disqualify the perfect family as a source for a "great gain" life? What shortcomings disqualify the perfect family as a source for a "great gain" life?

G.o.dliness + Ministry Success = Great Gain-Not Like the previous successes (wealth, influence, family), how does even ministry success fall short of replacing contentment in life's formula? Like the previous successes (wealth, influence, family), how does even ministry success fall short of replacing contentment in life's formula?

#5-Practicing Contentment (1 Timothy 6:710) STEP ONE : Look to Eternity (verse 7) How do we see the unseen when there are so many visual distractions? How do we see the unseen when there are so many visual distractions?

STEP TWO : Let Enough Be Enough (verse 8) What is your definition of "enough"? What is your definition of "enough"? How would you describe your present "room and board" How would you describe your present "room and board"

STEP THREE : Learn By Example (verse 910) Who is your most powerful example of someone who knows and lives by the principle of "enough is enough"? Who is your most powerful example of someone who knows and lives by the principle of "enough is enough"? How do the thoughts on pages 109112 help you understand better the phrase, "For the love of money is a root of all sorts of evil"? How do the thoughts on pages 109112 help you understand better the phrase, "For the love of money is a root of all sorts of evil"?

#6-Let's Talk Solution (pp. 113114) What are you seeking? What are you seeking? What are you saying? What are you saying? What have you settled? What have you settled? How did you respond to the three examination questions on pp. 114116 ? How did you respond to the three examination questions on pp. 114116 ?

LOOK UP! (p. 116) Use or adapt this prayer as you apply the challenges of this lesson.

Next a.s.signment: Read Chapter 5 of Lord, Change My Att.i.tude Before It's Too Late. Lord, Change My Att.i.tude Before It's Too Late.

LORD, CHANGE MY ATt.i.tUDE.

Before It's Too Late!

se who choose murmuring as their lifestyle will spend their lifetimes in the wilderness.

Chapter 5.

Replace a Critical Att.i.tude . . .

Objective : As a result of this lesson, partic.i.p.ants will identify the presence and effects of critical att.i.tudes in their lives. : As a result of this lesson, partic.i.p.ants will identify the presence and effects of critical att.i.tudes in their lives.

SAY IT IN A SENTENCE:.

A continuous critical att.i.tude toward those around me will consume all that is healthy and joy-producing in my life.

WILDERNESS ATt.i.tUDE THREE = CRITICISM.

#1-Key Pa.s.sage: Numbers 12:112 This pa.s.sage ill.u.s.trates a significant point. Complaining relates to situations; criticism relates to people. Criticism is dwelling upon the perceived faults of another with no view to their good. Despite all they had accomplished as a team, Miriam and Aaron began to take Moses to task about his life.

What were Miriam and Aaron's two criticisms against Moses? What were Miriam and Aaron's two criticisms against Moses? At what point did they get in trouble? What did G.o.d do? At what point did they get in trouble? What did G.o.d do? Describe Moses' responses while others were criticizing him. Describe Moses' responses while others were criticizing him.

#2-Defining Criticism Criticism is dwelling upon the perceived faults of another with no view to their good.

How does this definition capture the "double blows" of pain caused by criticism? How does this definition capture the "double blows" of pain caused by criticism? In what situations have you experienced the destructiveness of criticism? In what situations have you experienced the destructiveness of criticism? What tends to bring out a critical att.i.tude in you? What tends to bring out a critical att.i.tude in you?

#3-Bible Study Application PRINCIPLE ONE : Criticism is wrong-why? (pp. 127131) -it ruins our fellowship with G.o.d. -it ruins our fellowship with G.o.d. -it hurts us. -it hurts us. -it destroys our fellowship with others. -it destroys our fellowship with others. How do the results of Miriam and Aaron's critical att.i.tude ill.u.s.trate the above three sub-points? How do the results of Miriam and Aaron's critical att.i.tude ill.u.s.trate the above three sub-points?

PRINCIPLE TWO : Criticism is petty-why? It camouflages three deeper problems. (pp. 131134) -a blend of unforgiveness. -a blend of unforgiveness. -envy, jealousy, or resentment. -envy, jealousy, or resentment. -personal failure. -personal failure. How did Miriam and Aaron exhibit each of these problems as they criticized their younger brother? How did Miriam and Aaron exhibit each of these problems as they criticized their younger brother?

PRINCIPLE THREE: Criticism is self-exalting (p. 134).

In what ways does criticism create a subtle elevation of the one making the criticism? In what ways does criticism create a subtle elevation of the one making the criticism?

PRINCIPLE FOUR : Criticism is painful (pp. 134136).

What would happen if we applied every critical statement we are about to make to ourselves before we applied it to anyone else's life? What would happen if we applied every critical statement we are about to make to ourselves before we applied it to anyone else's life?

PRINCIPLE FIVE : Criticism is often inadvertent (p. 136).

How do you keep from making thoughtless comments? How do you keep from making thoughtless comments? What do you do when you realize you've just made a thoughtless comment? What do you do when you realize you've just made a thoughtless comment?

PRINCIPLE SIX:Criticism plugs the flow of G.o.d's blessing (pp. 136137).

If criticism given or received blocks our relationship with G.o.d, what must we do to resolve the problem? If criticism given or received blocks our relationship with G.o.d, what must we do to resolve the problem?

#4-Let's Talk Solution (p. 139) Based on the first evaluation question, in what areas are you most p.r.o.ne to practice a critical att.i.tude? Based on the first evaluation question, in what areas are you most p.r.o.ne to practice a critical att.i.tude? How has your relationship with G.o.d been affected by criticism? How has your relationship with G.o.d been affected by criticism? What moments of repentance have you experienced in the past? What moments of repentance have you experienced in the past? As a result of this session, in what relationships do you realize you need to repent of a critical att.i.tude? How will you do that? As a result of this session, in what relationships do you realize you need to repent of a critical att.i.tude? How will you do that?

K UP! (p. 140) Use or adapt this prayer as you apply the challenges of this lesson.

Next a.s.signment Read Chapter 6 of Lord, Change My Att.i.tude Before It's Too Late. Lord, Change My Att.i.tude Before It's Too Late.

LORD, CHANGE MY ATt.i.tUDE.

Before It's Too Late!

Those who choose murmuring as their lifestyle will spend their lifetimes in the wilderness.

Chapter 6.

. . . WITH AN ATt.i.tUDE OF LOVE.

Objective : As a result of this lesson, partic.i.p.ants will seek to subst.i.tute the practice of love in situations where they habitually criticize. : As a result of this lesson, partic.i.p.ants will seek to subst.i.tute the practice of love in situations where they habitually criticize.

SAY IT IN A SENTENCE:.

The only att.i.tude big enough to replace a critical att.i.tude is an att.i.tude of love.

PROMISED-LAND ATt.i.tUDE THREE = LOVE.

#1-Key Pa.s.sage: 1 Corinthians 13:18a The apostle Paul interrupted a major section in his letter to the Corinthians where he was detailing the logistics of life together (Chapters 1114). He inserted an emphatic parenthesis in chapter 13 to point out that every aspect of spiritual life must be permeated with genuine love or it will have little value.

Given what you know about the relationship between Paul and the Corinthians, why is the placement of this love chapter so important? Given what you know about the relationship between Paul and the Corinthians, why is the placement of this love chapter so important? Of the three primary words for "love" in Greek, which one does Paul use in this chapter? Why? Of the three primary words for "love" in Greek, which one does Paul use in this chapter? Why?

#2-When Love Is Missing (pp. 146149) Before Paul describes love in these verses, he notes three impressive areas of "spiritual achievement" which he concludes are meaningless without love. What are these areas and how does the absence of love affect them?

1. 1 Corinthians 13:1- 1. 1 Corinthians 13:1- 2. 1 Corinthians 13:2- 2. 1 Corinthians 13:2- 3. 1 Corinthians 13:3- 3. 1 Corinthians 13:3- How are each of these areas transformed when they are saturated with love? How are each of these areas transformed when they are saturated with love?

#3-The Paradigm Shift (pp. 149150) Why is there a natural tension between practicing truth and practicing love? Why is there a natural tension between practicing truth and practicing love? How does MacDonald describe the usual way people try to handle both truth and love in their relationships? How does MacDonald describe the usual way people try to handle both truth and love in their relationships? Summarize the paradigm shift involved in truthful loving (see p. 150)? Summarize the paradigm shift involved in truthful loving (see p. 150)? In what ways would the three guidelines for loving action (p. 150) help you in a present relationship? In what ways would the three guidelines for loving action (p. 150) help you in a present relationship? How do you see the difference between majors and minors (pp. 151156)? How do you see the difference between majors and minors (pp. 151156)? What "minors" tend to rear their ugly heads when you examine your critical reactions? What "minors" tend to rear their ugly heads when you examine your critical reactions? What have you learned in this chapter about handling minors? What have you learned in this chapter about handling minors? Which of love's sixteen or so traits in this pa.s.sage do you most desire in greater quant.i.ty in your life? Which of love's sixteen or so traits in this pa.s.sage do you most desire in greater quant.i.ty in your life?

#4-Big Enough!

The "Say It in a Sentence" feature for this chapter is, "The only att.i.tude big enough to replace a critical att.i.tude is an att.i.tude of love." Based on what you have learned in this chapter, why is this true? The "Say It in a Sentence" feature for this chapter is, "The only att.i.tude big enough to replace a critical att.i.tude is an att.i.tude of love." Based on what you have learned in this chapter, why is this true?

#5-Let's Talk Solution (p. 163) What specific personal changes would make it easier for you to be able to answer that question, "Am I a loving person"? What specific personal changes would make it easier for you to be able to answer that question, "Am I a loving person"? List at least five benefits of love that are part of your life right now. List at least five benefits of love that are part of your life right now. How will you remember to let love overrule in areas and relationships where criticism has become a habit? How will you remember to let love overrule in areas and relationships where criticism has become a habit?

LOOK UP! (p. 164) Use or adapt this prayeras you apply the challenges of this lesson.

Next a.s.signment Read Chapter 7 of Lord, Change My Att.i.tude Before It's Too Late. Lord, Change My Att.i.tude Before It's Too Late.

LORD, CHANGE MY ATt.i.tUDE.

Before It's Too Late!

Those who choose murmuring as their lifestyle will spend their lifetimes in the wilderness.

Chapter 7:.

REPLACE A DOUBTING ATt.i.tUDE . . .

Objective: As a result of this lesson, partic.i.p.ants will learn how much the habit of doubt undermines their faith. As a result of this lesson, partic.i.p.ants will learn how much the habit of doubt undermines their faith.

SAY IT IN A SENTENCE:.

Those who make doubting their lifestyle will spend their lifetimes in the wilderness!

WILDERNESS ATt.i.tUDE FOUR = DOUBTING.

#1-Key Pa.s.sage: Numbers 13:114:11 What begins as an exciting recon mission by handpicked men from Israel rapidly turns into defeat "before the first shot is fired!" A virus of doubt infected ten of the twelve spies and made them more eloquent spokesmen for the power of the enemy than for the power of G.o.d.

What do you think the atmosphere was like back in the camp of Israel while the spies were carrying out their mission? What do you think the atmosphere was like back in the camp of Israel while the spies were carrying out their mission? Look again at the a.s.signment given to the spies by Moses (Numbers 13:1720). In what way did they miserably fail their mission? Look again at the a.s.signment given to the spies by Moses (Numbers 13:1720). In what way did they miserably fail their mission?

#2-Defining Doubt? A lack of confidence or a.s.surance that G.o.d will keep His promises A lack of confidence or a.s.surance that G.o.d will keep His promises.

Note at least one example from you own life or an acquaintance's that ill.u.s.trates this definition. Note at least one example from you own life or an acquaintance's that ill.u.s.trates this definition. Of the four wilderness att.i.tudes we've examined so far (complaining, coveting, criticizing, and doubting), which presents the greatest difficulty for you? Why? Of the four wilderness att.i.tudes we've examined so far (complaining, coveting, criticizing, and doubting), which presents the greatest difficulty for you? Why?

#3-Irrevocable Promises (p. 168) Besides the three major promises from G.o.d described in this section, what other promises of G.o.d immediately come to mind? Besides the three major promises from G.o.d described in this section, what other promises of G.o.d immediately come to mind?

#4-How G.o.d Destroys Doubt (pp. 169184) PRINCIPLE ONE : G.o.d places regular tests of faith before His children.

-meant to bring about success, not failure. -meant to bring about success, not failure. -when the bucket is b.u.mped, what's inside spills out. -when the bucket is b.u.mped, what's inside spills out. How do you respond to the claim that tests ultimately help us clarify what we actually know beyond what we casually think we know (see Deuteronomy 1:2032)? How do you respond to the claim that tests ultimately help us clarify what we actually know beyond what we casually think we know (see Deuteronomy 1:2032)? In what sense is faith the defining core of the Christian life? In what sense is faith the defining core of the Christian life?

PRINCIPLE TWO : The circ.u.mstances of life will either shrink or stretch your faith.

-people can see the same thing and come to opposite conclusions (p. 173). -people can see the same thing and come to opposite conclusions (p. 173). -story of Landon. -story of Landon. Why is it crucial to remember that Christians face all the same setbacks and disasters in life that non-believers experience? If life's blows aren't going to be all that different, why be a Christian? Why is it crucial to remember that Christians face all the same setbacks and disasters in life that non-believers experience? If life's blows aren't going to be all that different, why be a Christian?

PRINCIPLE THREE: Doubts sees obstacles; faith sees opportunities.

-the facts of life -the facts of life The majority committee (ten spies) and the minority committee (two spies) had the same collection of evidence upon which to base their response. Why did Caleb and Joshua urge the people to take the land? The majority committee (ten spies) and the minority committee (two spies) had the same collection of evidence upon which to base their response. Why did Caleb and Joshua urge the people to take the land?

PRINCIPLE FOUR: When surrounded by doubters, doubting comes easy (p. 180).

Doubting is contagious-Doubts love company! Doubting is contagious-Doubts love company! Doubting is pa.s.sive. Doubting is pa.s.sive. Doubting satisfies our tendency toward self-protection. Doubting satisfies our tendency toward self-protection. Doubters are easier to find than friends in faith. Doubters are easier to find than friends in faith. Ill.u.s.trate each of the points above from this lesson's key scripture pa.s.sage. Ill.u.s.trate each of the points above from this lesson's key scripture pa.s.sage.

PRINCIPLE FIVE:It's a short trip for doubt to despair.

Doubts lead to desperate, bad plans (p. 183). Doubts lead to desperate, bad plans (p. 183). In what four ways did the people demonstrate their doubt-driven despair by their response to the majority report? In what four ways did the people demonstrate their doubt-driven despair by their response to the majority report?

#5-Let's Talk Solution (p. 185) Read the three self-examination questions in this section of the chapter, along with the explanation. What do your answers to these questions tell you about your struggle with doubt? Read the three self-examination questions in this section of the chapter, along with the explanation. What do your answers to these questions tell you about your struggle with doubt?

LOOK UP! (p. 186) Use or adapt this prayer as you apply the challenges of this lesson.

Next a.s.signment: Read Chapter 8 of Lord, Change My Att.i.tude Before It's Too Late. Lord, Change My Att.i.tude Before It's Too Late.

LORD, CHANGE MY ATt.i.tUDE.