Before It's Too Late!

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

Chapter 8:.

...WITH AN ATt.i.tUDE OF FAITH.

Objective : As a result of this lesson, partic.i.p.ants will reaffirm the central role of faith in their relationship with G.o.d. : As a result of this lesson, partic.i.p.ants will reaffirm the central role of faith in their relationship with G.o.d.

SAY IT IN A SENTENCE:.

Only when faith replaces doubt in the life of a believer can the joy of knowing G.o.d become a reality!

PROMISED LAND LIVING ATt.i.tUDE FOUR = FAITH.

#1-Key Pa.s.sage: Hebrews 11 Often called The Great Hall of Faith in Scripture, Hebrews 11 surveys Old Testament history to highlight men and women of outstanding faith. And yet the stunning point of the chapter is the lesson that those examples of faith lived their entire lives "in the dark" about what G.o.d would actually do to reward their faith. In comparison, we have the cross and the resurrection to remind us that G.o.d's plans are eternal and dependable.

Whom would you call a personal hero in this chapter? Why? Whom would you call a personal hero in this chapter? Why? In what ways does Hebrews 11 challenge, encourage, and clarify your own faith? In what ways does Hebrews 11 challenge, encourage, and clarify your own faith?

#2-Defining Faith (p. 191) Christian faith is an att.i.tude of trust rooted in the G.o.d who has revealed Himself in Jesus Christ and His Scriptures.

How does someone demonstrate faith or trust? How does someone demonstrate faith or trust? How does G.o.d know you trust Him? How does G.o.d know you trust Him?

#3-What We Learn from Lives of Faith PRINCIPLE ONE: Faith is substance.

How does MacDonald explain the "substance" aspect of faith? How does MacDonald explain the "substance" aspect of faith? What can you say about the substance of your faith? What can you say about the substance of your faith?

PRINCIPLE TWO: Faith is evidence.

What are the differences between faith in evidence and faith as evidence? What are the differences between faith in evidence and faith as evidence?

PRINCIPLE THREE: Statement of Faith: Faith is believing the Word of G.o.d and acting upon it, no matter how I feel, because G.o.d promises a good result.

What role does G.o.d's Word play in your day-to-day faith? What role does G.o.d's Word play in your day-to-day faith? Why is it so hard to get the feelings out of faith? Why is it so hard to get the feelings out of faith? When have you acted in faith despite the feelings you had? When have you acted in faith despite the feelings you had?

PRINCIPLE FOUR: Faith is not a part of the Christian Life-it's the whole thing.

Explain this principle as you understand it. Explain this principle as you understand it.

PRINCIPLE FIVE: How to build your faith- Cultivate your faith with the Word. Cultivate your faith with the Word. Confess your faith with your mouth. Confess your faith with your mouth. Corner your faith with trusting action. Corner your faith with trusting action. How would you prioritize these three steps according to the need to build your faith these days? How would you prioritize these three steps according to the need to build your faith these days?

What is one area of your life where you can practice "cornering" your faith?

#4-Let's Talk Solution (pp. 209210) Prayerfully read through the three questions in this section of the chapter. As you consider your answers to this probing self-exam, decide what actions you are going to take to follow through on your discoveries.

LOOK UP! (p. 210) Use or adapt this prayer as you apply the challenges of this lesson.

Next a.s.signment: Read Chapter 9 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 9.

REPLACE A REBELLIOUS ATt.i.tUDE . . .

Objective: As a result of this lesson, partic.i.p.ants will identify strongholds of rebellion in their lives that can be surrendered to Jesus Christ. As a result of this lesson, partic.i.p.ants will identify strongholds of rebellion in their lives that can be surrendered to Jesus Christ.

SAY IT IN A SENTENCE:.

Rebellion against proper authority reveals a deeper rejection of G.o.d's authority, which brings devastating consequences to our lives.

WILDERNESS ATt.i.tUDE FIVE = REBELLION.

#1-Key Pa.s.sage: Numbers 16 Murmuring is like a pot of liquid heating up. Complaints, coveting, criticism, and doubts gradually bubble through a group, gathering energy. Eventually the toxic mixture boils over into an att.i.tude of rebellion. When Korah gathered his fellow murmurers to confront Moses and Aaron, they intended to carry out a coup. The murmuring in G.o.d's sight had reached a boiling point.

When Korah's group stated their case, what arguments did they use to challenge Moses and Aaron's authority? When Korah's group stated their case, what arguments did they use to challenge Moses and Aaron's authority? How did Moses respond? How did Moses respond? What line did Korah use that Moses gave back to him (vs. 3, 7)? What line did Korah use that Moses gave back to him (vs. 3, 7)? After G.o.d dealt with Korah and his team, how did the people respond (verse 4150)? After G.o.d dealt with Korah and his team, how did the people respond (verse 4150)? What wilderness att.i.tude did the people fall back into despite G.o.d's swift punishment of Korah's rebels? What wilderness att.i.tude did the people fall back into despite G.o.d's swift punishment of Korah's rebels?

#2-Defining rebellion: Rebellion involves knowing what G.o.d wants me to do and refusing to do it.

Complete the following two sentences.

Most Christians know that G.o.d wants them to ____________ but refuse to do it. Most Christians know that G.o.d wants them to ____________ but refuse to do it. I know that G.o.d wants me to _______________ but I refuse to do it. I know that G.o.d wants me to _______________ but I refuse to do it. Which of the four other wilderness att.i.tudes (complaints, coveting, criticism, and doubt) tend to contribute most when rebellion is an issue in your relationship with G.o.d? Which of the four other wilderness att.i.tudes (complaints, coveting, criticism, and doubt) tend to contribute most when rebellion is an issue in your relationship with G.o.d?

#3-Bible Study Application PRINCIPLE ONE : Rebellion is serious (pp. 214217).

How does this section combine Korah's story with the teaching of Romans 13 to bring the issue of rebellion into everyday settings? How does this section combine Korah's story with the teaching of Romans 13 to bring the issue of rebellion into everyday settings?

PRINCIPLE TWO : Rebellion exists in every human heart (pp. 217219).

In what ways is rebelliousness a universal problem for us? In what ways is rebelliousness a universal problem for us?

PRINCIPLE THREE: Rebellion has many sources (pp. 219222) How do the following sources express aspects of the four other wilderness att.i.tudes that lead to rebellion?

Jealousy- Jealousy- Delusions- Delusions- Ungratefulness- Ungratefulness- Stubbornness- Stubbornness- Disappointments- Disappointments- Distrust- Distrust- PRINCIPLE FOUR : Rebellion has many consequences (pp. 226230).

As you review each of the sections des (comp, note an example from your life that ill.u.s.trates the point.

Leadership withdrawal- Leadership withdrawal- Innocent people are injured- Innocent people are injured- Guilty will be condemned- Guilty will be condemned- The infection spreads- The infection spreads- PRINCIPLE FIVE : Rebellion is ultimately against G.o.d (p. 231).

Which of the personal examples you just listed above do you now realize may have resulted from rebellion against G.o.d? Which of the personal examples you just listed above do you now realize may have resulted from rebellion against G.o.d?

#4-Let's Talk Solution (pp. 231232) The people who backed up Korah refused to recognize the three issues in this self-exam. Before you review the questions and your answers, ask G.o.d for the wisdom and courage to respond in truth. The people who backed up Korah refused to recognize the three issues in this self-exam. Before you review the questions and your answers, ask G.o.d for the wisdom and courage to respond in truth.

LOOK UP! (p. 233) Use or adapt this prayer as you apply the challenges of this lesson.

Next a.s.signment: Read Chapter 10 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.

Review: PROMISED-LAND ORIENTED ATt.i.tUDE = PRAISE/WORSHIP: A Holy Harmony of Healthy Att.i.tudes WILDERNESS-ORIENTED ATt.i.tUDE = MURMURING: A Demonic Dissonance of Bad Att.i.tudes

Chapter 10.

. . . WITH AN ATt.i.tUDE OF SUBMISSION.

SAY IT IN A SENTENCE:.

Submission, when properly understood and applied, replaces the pain and strife of rebellion and greatly increases human happiness.

PROMISED LAND ATt.i.tUDE FIVE = SUBMISSION.

#1-Key Pa.s.sage: 1 Peter 2:1325 The average person who heard Peter's letter read during the First Century was probably a slave. His or her human bondage was often twofold. They were not only someone's possession, they were also part of a conquered people. Rome ruled the world. The empire did not exercise her authority gently. Peter's audience was at least as resistant to the idea of submission as we are today.

Based on this pa.s.sage, what kinds of people did Peter have in mind as he wrote? Based on this pa.s.sage, what kinds of people did Peter have in mind as he wrote? What areas of submission did he include? What areas of submission did he include?

page Why is submission a difficult subject to discuss and a hard att.i.tude to practice? Why is submission a difficult subject to discuss and a hard att.i.tude to practice?

#2-Defining Submission: Any time we chose not to complain, covet, criticize, doubt or rebel, we are practicing submission.

If rebellion is at the heart of murmuring in Wilderness living, why is submission at the heart of praise and worship that characterizes Promised Land living? If rebellion is at the heart of murmuring in Wilderness living, why is submission at the heart of praise and worship that characterizes Promised Land living?

#3-The Target of Submission: Submission is for everyone (Romans 13:1; Ephesians 5:21) According to these pa.s.sages, who are the candidates for submission? According to these pa.s.sages, who are the candidates for submission? How do these two pa.s.sages shed light for you on the significance of submission? How do these two pa.s.sages shed light for you on the significance of submission?

#4-Bible Study Application PRINCIPLE ONE : Submission is duty to G.o.d (pp. 236239).

Why is it crucial that we understand submission as ultimately part of our response to G.o.d rather than simply part of our role in human relationships? Why is it crucial that we understand submission as ultimately part of our response to G.o.d rather than simply part of our role in human relationships? How does the Bible teach healthy rather than unhealthy forms of submission? How does the Bible teach healthy rather than unhealthy forms of submission?

PRINCIPLE TWO: Submission is protection by G.o.d (pp. 239242).

Explain the phrase "Do right and silence the ignorance of foolish men" in the context of submission. Explain the phrase "Do right and silence the ignorance of foolish men" in the context of submission. How does 1 Peter 5:57 point out the value of submission? How does 1 Peter 5:57 point out the value of submission?

PRIlaiLE THREE: Submission has limits under G.o.d (pp. 243248).

How does the key pa.s.sage (1 Peter 2:1325) include a standard for determining the limits of submission? How does the key pa.s.sage (1 Peter 2:1325) include a standard for determining the limits of submission? MacDonald includes three guidelines and two significant notes to deal with limits of submission. What are they? MacDonald includes three guidelines and two significant notes to deal with limits of submission. What are they?

PRINCIPLE FOUR: Submission Is Favor from G.o.d (pp. 248249) What does it mean to have favor with G.o.d? What does it mean to have favor with G.o.d? On the things which you desire from G.o.d, how high do you list having favor with Him? On the things which you desire from G.o.d, how high do you list having favor with Him?

PRINCIPLE FIVE: Submission Is Intimacy with G.o.d (pp. 249250) Why and how can submission (at times a difficult undertaking) lead to intimacy with G.o.d? Why and how can submission (at times a difficult undertaking) lead to intimacy with G.o.d? In what ways have you found this principle true personally? In what ways have you found this principle true personally?

#5-Let's talk solution Prayerfully read again the three probing questions in this section. Remember that how you answer them will ultimately affect your application of all the other principles in this book. How did you answer each question? Prayerfully read again the three probing questions in this section. Remember that how you answer them will ultimately affect your application of all the other principles in this book. How did you answer each question? How would sharing your answers with others who can pray for you and encourage you be in itself putting submission into practice? How would sharing your answers with others who can pray for you and encourage you be in itself putting submission into practice?