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Choices that Choices that Challenge!Challenge!
Choices that Choices that Challenge!Challenge!
V. Bailey Gillespie, Ph.D. — La Sierra University
Hancock Center for Youth and Family Ministry
V. Bailey Gillespie, Ph.D. — La Sierra University
Hancock Center for Youth and Family Ministry
ThesisThesis
“Living a life of faith is living a life full of choices
Some choices we make freely
Some choices are made for us
Biblical IllustrationsBiblical Illustrations
Moses made choices
Egypt or Sinai
Wealth or poverty
Akanaton and his one god vs. One God
Killing a co-worker (Ex. 2)
At the burning bush
He argues (Ex. 3:13)
“What if they don’t believe?” (Ex. 4:1)
And says, “I can’t speak!” (Ex. 4:10)
At Sinai and the golden calf (Ex. 33)
Moses made choices
Egypt or Sinai
Wealth or poverty
Akanaton and his one god vs. One God
Killing a co-worker (Ex. 2)
At the burning bush
He argues (Ex. 3:13)
“What if they don’t believe?” (Ex. 4:1)
And says, “I can’t speak!” (Ex. 4:10)
At Sinai and the golden calf (Ex. 33)
Jesus’ ChoicesJesus’ Choices
In the Temple
In the Wilderness
In the Garden
All His choices sorted out who was in charge of his life
In the Temple
In the Wilderness
In the Garden
All His choices sorted out who was in charge of his life
What does the Bible say?What does the Bible say?
Phil. 3:20 “But our citizenship is in heaven.”
Rom. 12:2 “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is. . .”
Phil. 3:20 “But our citizenship is in heaven.”
Rom. 12:2 “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is. . .”
ValuesValues
Biblical Motivation for Values
Old Testament - “Great day of the Lord” - (return and rebuilding)
Prophetic reasons- “Examples to the nations”
New Testament - “Citizens of the Kingdom” (now and then) -
Sanctification (We belong to God!)
The Jesus Reason - WWJD
Biblical Motivation for Values
Old Testament - “Great day of the Lord” - (return and rebuilding)
Prophetic reasons- “Examples to the nations”
New Testament - “Citizens of the Kingdom” (now and then) -
Sanctification (We belong to God!)
The Jesus Reason - WWJD
Adventist Standards . . .Adventist Standards . . .
Types of Standards
1. Substance abuse standards = tobacco, alcohol, and illicit drugs
2. Adventist way of life standards - Sabbath, diet, exercise, modest dress, and non-marital sexual behavior
Types of Standards
1. Substance abuse standards = tobacco, alcohol, and illicit drugs
2. Adventist way of life standards - Sabbath, diet, exercise, modest dress, and non-marital sexual behavior
Types of StandardsTypes of Standards3. Popular Cultural Standards =
Caffeinated drinks, hard rock music, dancing, movies, competitive sports, excessive jewelry, violent video games
3. Popular Cultural Standards = Caffeinated drinks, hard rock music, dancing, movies, competitive sports, excessive jewelry, violent video games
Why not give standards a new name?Why not give standards a new name?
Instead of “standards” call them “Life-Affirming Choices”
Instead of “negative standards” call them “Life-Denying Choices”
Instead of “standards” call them “Life-Affirming Choices”
Instead of “negative standards” call them “Life-Denying Choices”
Substance Abuse Standards“Tend” to “Definitely agree”Substance Abuse Standards“Tend” to “Definitely agree”
Adventist Way of Life StandardsAdventist Way of Life Standards
Popular Cultural Standards “personally agree”Popular Cultural Standards “personally agree”
Helpful DefinitionsHelpful Definitions
Values - A preferred quality or action. It refers to what is good, desirable, and worthwhile.
Sabbath-keeping, healthful living, honesty, faithfulness.
Our guidelines, our target for life
Values - A preferred quality or action. It refers to what is good, desirable, and worthwhile.
Sabbath-keeping, healthful living, honesty, faithfulness.
Our guidelines, our target for life
Helpful DefinitionsHelpful Definitions
Principle - A guideline that flows from our values.
Not specific such as “should this dress end one or two inches above my knee?” but more general, “I choose to dress modestly.”
Principle - A guideline that flows from our values.
Not specific such as “should this dress end one or two inches above my knee?” but more general, “I choose to dress modestly.”
Helpful DefinitionsHelpful Definitions
Standard - A practical application of a principle. A principle gives specific direction and clear goals for Christian behavior.
“I think I should not lie.” Honesty is the value, “Not lying” is the principle “I choose not to lie,” the standard that demonstrates the principle and value.
Standard - A practical application of a principle. A principle gives specific direction and clear goals for Christian behavior.
“I think I should not lie.” Honesty is the value, “Not lying” is the principle “I choose not to lie,” the standard that demonstrates the principle and value.
Helpful DefinitionsHelpful Definitions
Rule - A specific interpretation of a standard for local settings. A rule is established as an aid in organizing behavior.
“At this meeting, we will not stand on the seats!”
Rule - A specific interpretation of a standard for local settings. A rule is established as an aid in organizing behavior.
“At this meeting, we will not stand on the seats!”
ValuesValues
StandardsStandards
PrincipalsPrincipals
RulesRules
How Do You Decide On Personal Standards?How Do You Decide On Personal Standards?
Identify the principle or value
Defend it from a Biblical standpoint if possible, or at minimum find the “value” or “values” in it
See if there are exceptions to the standard, it may just be a rule and therefore have only a local application
Identify the principle or value
Defend it from a Biblical standpoint if possible, or at minimum find the “value” or “values” in it
See if there are exceptions to the standard, it may just be a rule and therefore have only a local application
An IllustrationAn Illustration
The Value - HEALTH
The Principle - “Be Healthy”
Why?
“Your body is the temple of God, health is your reasonable service (worship).”
My standard - “I” choose to be healthy
My rule - “I” will not smoke
The Value - HEALTH
The Principle - “Be Healthy”
Why?
“Your body is the temple of God, health is your reasonable service (worship).”
My standard - “I” choose to be healthy
My rule - “I” will not smoke
Now let’s try MUSICNow let’s try MUSIC
• Most youth listen to some kind of music
• What is the value that holds up our standard and rules about music?
• WITNESS - We are a witness and others will learn about God from us
• PURITY - Contents (words) could be a problem
• BEAUTY - a subjective quality
• Most youth listen to some kind of music
• What is the value that holds up our standard and rules about music?
• WITNESS - We are a witness and others will learn about God from us
• PURITY - Contents (words) could be a problem
• BEAUTY - a subjective quality
Now let’s try MUSICNow let’s try MUSIC
EDUCATION- Exposure to different styles and types of music form our taste
STEWARDSHIP - Time, balance
PSYCHOLOGICAL IMPACT - Music touches us at our core, our movement, our emotions both good and bad
CULTURE/TRADITION - some types of music are “better” than others they say.
EDUCATION- Exposure to different styles and types of music form our taste
STEWARDSHIP - Time, balance
PSYCHOLOGICAL IMPACT - Music touches us at our core, our movement, our emotions both good and bad
CULTURE/TRADITION - some types of music are “better” than others they say.
Now let’s try MUSICNow let’s try MUSIC
What is the life-affirming choice you have to make about music?
We try to apply all of the values above
Appropriate music - place, time, culture, tradition
Is the content helpful? - the words
Positive psychological impact?
Consistent with my education-preference
What is the life-affirming choice you have to make about music?
We try to apply all of the values above
Appropriate music - place, time, culture, tradition
Is the content helpful? - the words
Positive psychological impact?
Consistent with my education-preference
ConclusionsConclusionsIdentify where sin really is. It is in our heart.
Get your heart right and learn to see how God impacts your choices
People have the ability to make choices. You must take time to sort out your life with God, after all you have to live your own life with God.
Identify where sin really is. It is in our heart.
Get your heart right and learn to see how God impacts your choices
People have the ability to make choices. You must take time to sort out your life with God, after all you have to live your own life with God.
ConclusionsConclusions
With the above in mind, it would be helpful to focus on "criteria" that empower our everyday decisions and choices.
By focusing on these criteria we provide needed Christian direction for everyday choices.
With the above in mind, it would be helpful to focus on "criteria" that empower our everyday decisions and choices.
By focusing on these criteria we provide needed Christian direction for everyday choices.
1. Where is Jesus?1. Where is Jesus?1. Where is Jesus?1. Where is Jesus?
2. 2. CommunityCommunity2. 2. CommunityCommunity
3. Love3. Love3. Love3. Love
3. LOVE3. LOVE
44. . SolitudeSolitude44. . SolitudeSolitude
5. Openness5. Openness5. Openness5. Openness
6. 6. GrowthGrowth6. 6. GrowthGrowth
7. 7. LimitationsLimitations7. 7. LimitationsLimitations
8. Values.8. Values.
99. . AFFECTIVITYAFFECTIVITY99. . AFFECTIVITYAFFECTIVITY
1010. . RESPONSIBILITYRESPONSIBILITY
1010. . RESPONSIBILITYRESPONSIBILITY
We can summarize our decision-making criteria by listing some general questions that touch on our experience of making everyday choices and decisions.
What role does Jesus Christ exercise in this decision?
Can I truly say that this decision is a responsible use of Christian freedom in my own life?
We can summarize our decision-making criteria by listing some general questions that touch on our experience of making everyday choices and decisions.
What role does Jesus Christ exercise in this decision?
Can I truly say that this decision is a responsible use of Christian freedom in my own life?
How does my choice reconcile me with the community of faith of which I am a part, and how does my decision take into account the effect my decision has on others?
What are the ostensible signs of Christian love evinced in this decision I have made?
In making this decision, do I find time for interior silence whereby I can really listen to the Lord?
How does my choice reconcile me with the community of faith of which I am a part, and how does my decision take into account the effect my decision has on others?
What are the ostensible signs of Christian love evinced in this decision I have made?
In making this decision, do I find time for interior silence whereby I can really listen to the Lord?
How open am I to consulting others about this choice in my life?
How do past decisions, or decisions related to the one I am presently making, influence my present Christian choosing, and how does this choice allow for possible future growth?
How open am I to consulting others about this choice in my life?
How do past decisions, or decisions related to the one I am presently making, influence my present Christian choosing, and how does this choice allow for possible future growth?
Can I recognize and admit the limits and imperfections of my choice, accepting my shortcomings, yet still relying on the need for ongoing and deepening conversion?
Can I recognize and admit the limits and imperfections of my choice, accepting my shortcomings, yet still relying on the need for ongoing and deepening conversion?
How does this decision proclaim Christian values, and are my own values authentic signs of true Christian living?
What feelings do I have when making this decision, and how might these affective responses influence my attempts to determine an authentic Christian choice?
How does this decision proclaim Christian values, and are my own values authentic signs of true Christian living?
What feelings do I have when making this decision, and how might these affective responses influence my attempts to determine an authentic Christian choice?
