How to Make Right Decisions

8/13/2019 How to Make Right Decisions

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LIFE AT THE CROSSROADSHow to Make the Right Decisions

(Session 1)

BIG IDEA: GOD HAS GIVEN US PRINCIPLES BY WHICH WE CAN MAKE LIFE'SDECISIONS. BY FOLLOWING THEM WE CAN AVOID MUCH TRAGEDY ANDHEARTACHE.

PURPOSE: BY THE END OF THIS STUDY YOUTH SHOULD BE MOTIVATED TO

SEEK GOD'S WILL AND KNOW PRACTICALLY HOW TO FIND IT.

REMINDER: God doesn' !"e#$"% "&ne o # se( )% se( *e+od o, dee$*&n&n- H&s &"" &n+e B&)"e. T+e ,o""o&n- ($&n!&("es #$e $ooed &n +e S!$&($es. B "e +e S(&$& -&de %o #s

o +&!+ (o&ns o e*(+#s&/e. Pe$+#(s %o &"" d&s!o0e$ o+e$ B&)"&!#" e#!+&n-s +# #(("% #se"". Yo #$e $es(ons&)"e o !o*e )e,o$e God #nd H&s Wo$d #nd o #!!$#e"% e#!+ +e ,"o!1

He +#s ( nde$ %o$ !#$e.

INTRODUCTION

A,e$ +e s1&2 #"1 #)o +e &*(o$#n!e o, "&,e's de!&s&ons. T+e$e &s # #% o,

#)nd#n!e #nd ,""ness 3see Ps#"* 45:6672 ) +e$e &s #no+e$ #% +# "oo1s $&-+ o s2 )ends &n des$!&on 3see P$o0e$)s 65:687. H#0e %o+ $e,"e! on +&s P$o0e$)s (#ss#-e #nd-&0e e9#*("es o, (eo("e +e% 1no 3don' -&0e n#*es7 +o *#de de!&s&ons +# +#d )#d!onseen!es. ;

*Written ! Ste"e Mi##er$ Co%!right A&g&st' 1 ! Reach O&t Ministries$ Co%! *or &se on#! within !o&r

own #oca# ch&rch$ +ot *or resa#e$

SKIT TIME!! A week prior to this session, ask several youth to prepare a skit around the followingtheme: Three different youth approach a crossroads, one at a time. The first walks to the crossroadsmuttering, What to do. What to do. Should maor in "ath# $r train to %e a chef#& The ne'tcomes to the crossroads talking a%out his need to decide what to do during the Winter holidays: go

skiing with his church group or on vacation with his family. A third is trying to decide whether or notto ask a girl to marry him (you can add humor to this one %y having a guy trying to decide which girlin the youth group to marry.) All stop at the crossroads trying to decide which way to go (whichdecision to make). The first checks his horoscope in a newspaper. t reads, *on+t take on pro%lemsthat you can+t easily solve.& ro%lems can+t easily solve# $f course! Avoid the "ath maor!-hef+s school, here come!& e walks on. The second asks the advice of the third person and thendecides to go with his family on the vacation. The third casts a dice and decides on a girl.

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PRAYER: 3I s#""% ($#% +# God &"" -&de s &n +&s !$!" sd%. T+en2 I -&0ee0e$%one # *o*en o ($#% 6 < ,o$ God o o(en +e&$ +e#$s2 -&0&n- +e* #en&0e s(&$&s#nd 8 < ,o$ God o s(e#1 +$o-+ *e #s I e#!+.7

T$#ns&&on: =Be,o$e e ($#%ed2 %o $oe don so*e de!&s&ons +# !#n' )e

ACTI,IT-. Ask !o&r !o&th to write /own one or 0ore /ecisions the! wi## nee/ to 0ake eithersoon or within the net co&%#e o* !ears$

rover%s /:0,1 This classic verseon guidance shows that we musttrust and know 2od, if we are toe'pect im to straighten our paths.He#$3 with the whole convictionand force of the mind, a%solutely.&(Toy) The e%rew word refers to

one+s emotions4%ut more often tohis intellect (such as understanding,discernment, reflection, or will.&(56-) $ur intellect can %e %linded%y passion, temptation, andignorance. We must wholly trustim. Le#n on 3 not 7incline+&(6idner), %ut to lean with the whole%ody on something, in order to restupon it4.& (6eil) A!1no"ed-e 34not a nod of recognition %ut anintimate knowledge of 2od.& (56-)8uite simply 7know+, whichcontains not only the idea ofacknowledging, %ut the much richercontent of %eing 7aware of+, andhaving 7fellowship with+. (6idner)M#1e %o$ (#+s s$#&-+3 Themetaphor is derived from thepreparation of a highway4.& (Toy)Thus, you might say that 2od%ulldo9es our paths, removingdifficulties and hindrances. This

verse appears to say more than ustthat 2od will direct us. e will clearout a road %efore us. And asconfusion a%out which way to gorepresents a hindrance, e will showus the way.

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en$sed o +e $o"" o, +e d&!e. As e "oo1 o God's Wo$d ,o$ d&$e!&on2 +&n1 o, %o$ s(e!&,&!

de!&s&ons #nd +o +ese ($&n!&("es *#% #(("%.=

I. PRERE>UISITES TO GUIDANCE

W+en so*e (eo("e !o*e o *#?o$ !$oss$o#ds &n +e&$ "&0es2 "&1e de!&d&n- on # !o""e-e*#?o$2 o$ !+oos&n- # "&,e@s *#e2 +e% #"" o, # sdden #1e #n &ne$es &n -e&n- God@s &n(.B God doesn@ !o**& +&*se", o -&de ?s #n%one. I, %o #n God@s d&$e!&on2 #s1%o$se", +ese +$ee es&ons:

A. ARE YOU SAVED 3o+n :6 A!s 8:47

2For 3o/ so #o"e/ the wor#/ that he ga"e his one an/ on#! Son' that whoe"ere#ie"es in hi0 sha## not %erish &t ha"e eterna# #i*e$4(5n$ 6718)

I, %o #$e no God's !+&"d2 %o +#0e no #ss$#n!e +# He &"" -&de %o. H&sHo"% S(&$& &nde""s H&s !+&"d$en #nd -&0es +e* &ns$!&on #nd -&d#n!e.

B. ARE YOU OBEYING WHAT YOU ALREADY KNOW TOBE HIS WILL 3o+n :6 P$o0. :27

2Tr&st in the LORD with a## !o&r heart an/ #ean not on !o&r own &n/erstan/ing9in a## !o&r wa!s acknow#e/ge hi0' an/ he wi## 0ake !o&r %aths straight$4 3P$o0. :27

ILLUSTRATION: Famous author Mark Twain once said, "Its not the !arts o the#i$%e I dont understand that $other me& Its the !arts I do understand&"

In o+e$ o$ds2 &, %o #$e ($#%&n- +# God &"" -&de %o &no &sdo* ,o$ #n e9#* #s!+oo"2 ) %o 1no +# 6 < %o o"d !+e# &, %o !o"d -e ##% &+ &2 8 < %o'$e no

#"1&n- o %o$ "&"e )$o+e$ )e!#se %o $e,se o ,o$-&0e +&* ,o$ so*e+&n-2 #nd < %o!#$e "&"e ,o$ ,o""o&n- God's &"" &n o+e$ #$e#s2 +en don' e9(e! God o $s+ o %o$ #&d.

C. ARE YOU WILLING TO ACCEPT HIS WILL2WHATEVER IT MAY BE

2I* an!one chooses to /o 3o/:s wi##' he wi## *in/ o&t whether 0! teaching co0es*ro0 3o/ or whether I s%eak on 0! own$4 (5n$ 71)

ILLUSTRATION: One 'u( !ra(ed or )od to 'i*e him his 'ir%riend $ack& #ut hewasnt !ra(in' or )ods wi%%, e*en i +is wi%% mi'ht $e or them to sta( a!art& hen his 'ir%rienddidnt come $ack, he had *er( %itt%e interest in o%%owin' )od&

TRANSITION: Be,o$e e -o on2 "oo1 # +e s&ons +e$e %o need o *#1e de!&s&ons.

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A$e %o ,",&""&n- +e ($e$e&s&es

II. PRINCIPLES OF GUIDANCE

A. TALK TO GOD. 3*s. 6:2 M. :


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ILLUSTRATION: Two Mormons came to a (oun' man.s door, ur'in' him to read the#ook o Mormon and !ra( that )od wou%d re*ea% to him whether or not it was )od.s ord& The(said to c%aim /ames 0:1: 2I an( o (ou %acks wisdom, %et him ask o )od,3and it wi%% $e 'i*en to

him&4#ut he knew that !ra(in' and waitin' or a su$5ecti*e conirmation is not the on%( wa( to

ind )ods wi%%& +e wise%( to%d them, 2Accordin' to )a%atians 0:6, e*en i an an'e% rom hea*ento%d me a messa'e that contradicts the 'os!e% as 7au% !reached it, I shou%dn.t $e%ie*e that an'e%&So, since the 'os!e% accordin' to the $ook o Mormon contradicts what we read in the #i$%e, Idont ha*e an( $usiness askin' )od to 'i*e me a warm ee%in' i it is true&4 It wou%d $e %ikesomeone ur'in' me to stea% some cand(, and when I o$5ected, he sa(s, 2i%% (ou at %east !ra(

a$out it84 )od.s wi%% concernin' stea%in' and the acts o the 'os!e% ha*e $oth $een c%ear%(re*ea%ed in +is ord& I dont need to ask )od to te%% me somethin' a second time, that +e.sa%read( to%d me in the Scri!tures&4

=S+o"d I d#e +&s (e$son +# *% (#$ens don' #n *e o d#e= Loo1 #Co"ossns :8. God's Wo$d +#s #"$e#d% -&0en %o +e #nse$.

CONCLUSION

T+&n1 o, +e de!&s&ons +# %o $oe don e#$"&e$. H#0e %o $"% ($#%ed #)o +ede!&s&ons Do %o 1no #n% )&)"&!#" ($&n!&("es +# o"d #,,e! +e de!&s&ons

Do %o $e*e*)e$ P$o0e$)s 65:68 ,$o* o$ &n$od!&on Re#d & #-#&n. M#n% %on-(eo("e #$e *#1&n- de!&s&ons on&-+ +# &"" +#0e e&+e$ -ood o$ )#d !onseen!es ,o$ %e#$s

o !o*e. Le@s !o**& o$se"0es o *#1e &se de!&s&ons &n "&ne &+ God@s &"".

PRAY

Ne9 ee1 e &"" #"1 #)o o+e$ ($&n!&("es +# !#n +e"( s #0o&d +e $#(s se )% +e o$"d#nd +e Ene*%.

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8. EPERTS

I, %o #$e !ons&de$&n- ($s&n- # !e$#&n 0o!#&on2 #"1 o (eo("e +o

#$e &n +e ,&e"d o see +# & &s "&1e #nd +o %o !#n )es ($e(#$e. So*e 0o!#&on#" -&d#n!e

ess !#n +e"( n#$$o don %o$ &ne$ess #nd #(&des.A"so2 $e#d -ood )oo1s )% e9(e$s. Fo$ e9#*("e2 #"+o-+ #"*os e0e$%

!o("e )e-&ns *#$$-e =&n "o0e= &+ e#!+ o+e$2 #)o +#", o, +e *#$$-es don@ "#s.And +o *#n% o, +e o+e$ +#", +#0e # de!en $e"#&ons+&( #,e$ se0e$#" %e#$s o, *#$$-e

So2 &, *#$$-e #nd d#&n- #$e &*(o$#n o %o2 $e#d se0e$#" -oodC+$&sn )oo1s on +e s)?e!s. Peo("e ,#"" &n "o0e #"" +e &*e. B (eo("e don@ s#""% ,#""&no # -ood *#$$-e. A -ood *#$$-e #1es "e#$n&n- #nd -$o&n- #nd e,,o$.

. YOUR CHURCH 3A!s 6:6


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($s&n- d$e#*s +# God ne0e$ e&((ed +e* o ,",&"". I, %o@$e ,&0e ,oo one #nd !#n@

?*(2 !ons&de$ +# God ($o)#)"% d&dn@ &nend %o o *#1e %o$ *#$1 on +e )#s1e)#""!o$

W+en %o+ e9($ess #n &ne$es &n C+$&sn *&n&s$% #s # 0o!#&on2 I e"" +e*o -e &n0o"0ed &+ d&,,e$en 1&nds o, *&n&s$&es no. B% do&n- +&s2 +e% )e-&n o ,&nd +#*&n&s$&es God +#s e&((ed #nd *o&0#ed +e* ,o$.

E. CONSIDER YOUR CIRCUMSTANCES IN THE LIGHTOF BIBLICAL PRINCIPLES 3Ro*#ns 6:8entecost' eca&se a great /oor *or e**ecti"ework has o%ene/ to 0e' an/ there are 0an! who o%%ose 0e$4 3I Co$. 6:427

Noe P#"'s $e#son&n- ($o!ess &n Ro*#ns 6:8


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How to Make the Right DecisionsHow to Make the Right Decisions(Session 6)(Session 6)

INTRODUCTION

We@0e )een #"1&n- #)o ($&n!&("es o, d&s!e$n&n- God@s -&d#n!e2 #nd +#0e +o-+o, se0e$#" de!&s&ons +# e#!+ o, s need o *#1e2 &n o$de$ o #(("% +ese ($&n!&("es. So2 e@$eno ?s #"1&n- #)o +eo$% +e$e. We@$e #"1&n- #)o +o o *#1e +# de!&s&on +#@s )eenon %o$ *&nd 3JW+e$e s+o"d I o$1 +&s s**e$2 JS+o"d I -o o +# (#$%2 o$ -o 0&s&$e"#&0es &+ *% ,#*&"%7 H#s +e se$&es )een +e"(," so ,#$

Tod#% e &"" "oo1 # so*e !o**on *&s#1es (eo("e *#1e &n see1&n- God@s G&d#n!e.

A!&0&% D&0&de &no s*#"" -$o(s2 -&0&n- e#!+ -$o( +&s "&s o, s#e*ens o e0#"#e.

JA((o&n # se!$e#$% #nd +#0e +&* o$ +e$ ( # !+e!1 )% +e s#e*ens +# $e($esen -ood($&n!&("es o, de!&s&on *#1&n-2 #nd #n J )% +e ones +# $e($esen es&on#)"e e!+n&es.

2I:0 not /eci/ing on a co##ege 0aor &nti# I @*in/ it in the Scri%t&res:$ A*ter Ra#%h %ra!e/

ao&t whether to atten/ the ?ni"ersit! o* 3eorgia or the ?ni"ersit! o* Chicago' heo%ene/ his i#e at ran/o0 to Le"itic&s =71' where Israe# is co00an/e/ to o**er 2gritso* new growth4 to the Lor/$ 2Since %eo%#e &% +orth se#/o0 eat grits' I knew 3o/ was/irecting 0e to ?3A$

2I wo/ go "isit 0! gran/0o0 in the n&rsing ho0e' &t I can:t &sti*! going to see her

when I co/ e witnessing to 0! #ost *rien/s$ -o& know' the i#e sa!s I sho/ go into

a## the wor#/' %reaching the gos%e#$4

I:0 worrie/ sick ao&t this /ecision$ I* I eat the &arter >o&n/er' I:## get too 0an! gra0s o*

*at *ro0 a## that ee*$ On the other han/' the ig Mac has too 0&ch /ressing an/ st&**$Oh' I /on:t want to 0iss 3o/:s est on this /ecision.

2I &st know she:s the gir# *or 0e$ S&re' e"er!o/!:s against the re#ationshi%' &t I *ee# in 0!

So*e %o+ *#% #n o

d&s!ss so*e o, +e&$de!&s&ons o "od #nd -e

&n( ,$o* +e $es o, +e-$o( #s e"" #s %o. An%s!+ d&s!ss&ons o"d #1e+&s se$&es o o, +e+eo$e&!#" #nd *#1e &

&nense"% ($#!&!#".

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heart that it:s right$4

2I:0 not 0aking a /ecision ao&t co##ege &nti# 3o/ gi"es 0e a 1GG certaint! that I:0

0aking the right /ecision$ E"er! ti0e I start to 0ake a 0o"e' I ha"e secon/ tho&ghts$

That can:t e o* 3o/$ I know' I know$ C#asses start to0orrow$ Ma!e I sho/ &st get ao &nti# 3o/ gi"es 0e a tota# %eace ao&t where to go$4

2He! o' this g&! ca0e to 0! /oor with a /ea# that #ooks incre/i#e. I* I &st %a! JGG$GG

/own an/ sign a co00it0ent to %a! JG$GG a 0onth *or the net !ear' I can ha"e an!car *ro0 his &se/ car #ot$ An/ I know that he:s got so0e *antastic cars$ &t he:s at the/oor now an/ te##s 0e I:"e on#! got this one chance to sign &%$ I can:t ca## hi0 ack#ater' since he can on#! take so 0an! %eo%#e$ What /o !o& thinkK4

2So e"er!o/! thinks I sho/ e a %astor$ An/ I &st know that 3o/:s %#ing 0e that

/irection$ &t i* I were to /o that' I:/ e 0isera#e$ I know it so&n/s a/' &t I:"e on#! got

one #i*e$ An/ I want to s%en/ it /oing so0ething *&n$4

Se # &*e "&*& ,o$ +e&$ s*#"" -$o( d&s!ss&ons. And don@ +#0e +e* &**ede"% d&s!ss

+e&$ #nse$s &+ +e en&$e -$o(. Inse#d2 $e,e$ )#!1 o e#!+ s#e*en 3&n o$de$7 #s %oe#!+ +e ,o""o&n- ($&n!&("es. As1 +e en&$e -$o( +# +e% +e% +&n1 *&-+ )e $on-&+ e#!+ s#e*en.

; Don' #1e S!$&($es o o, Cone9.

2Do !o&r est to %resent !o&rse#* to 3o/ as one a%%ro"e/' a work0an who /oesnot nee/ to e asha0e/ an/ who correct#! han/#es the wor/ o* tr&th$4 3II T&*. 8:67

3Be,o$e *en&on&n- +&s &"e2 $e#d #-#&n +e ,&$s o, +e #)o0e s#e*ens. As12 JW+# do %o

+&n1 *&-+ )e $on- &+ +&s #(($o#!+ Yo *&-+ e0en -e so*e d&s!ss&on.T+en2 "#n!+ &no +&s ($&n!&("e. Fo""o +e s#*e (#e$n ,o$ e#!+ o, +e ,o""o&n- (o&ns.7

ILLUSTRATION: It is said that a 'u( was seekin' )ods wi%% and decided to 5ust%i! throu'h the Scri!tures and read where his in'er %anded& First, he o!ened his #i$%e random%(,!ut down his in'er, and read "/udas hun' himse%&" Interestin', he thou'ht& So he o!ened his#i$%e a second time and !ut his in'er on these words: ")o thou and do %ikewise&" +e did it a thirdtime and read the words, "hat thou doest, do @uick%(&"

As s&""% #s +&s &""s$#&on *#% see*2 so*e (eo("e do see* o #(($o#!+ +eB&)"e #s so*e+&n- *#-&!#". Fo$ &ns#n!e2 &, %o o(en %o$ B&)"e one *o$n&n- #nd $e#d o,K&n- D#0&d !+oos&n- # &,e don@ #ss*e +# %o &"" *ee %o$ ,$e &,e od#%

So*e (eo("e e9(e! God o J-&0e +e* # S!$&($e o !on,&$* de!&s&ons. W+#+e% *e#n &s +# +e% $e#d # 0e$se #nd see &n & so*e+&n- )e%ond +e n#$#" &nen o, +ee92 !on!"d&n- +# God &s s(e#1&n- o +e&$ s(e!&,&! !&$!*s#n!e. Fo$ e9#*("e2 Ho#$d &s($#%&n- #)o #s1&n- # -&$" o *#$$% +&* T+# d#% &n +&s de0o&ons +e +#((ens (on K&n-D#0&d !+oos&n- # &,e. W# "# A !on,&$*#&on O$ &s &

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A"+o-+ I !#n@ s#% +# God &"" ne0e$ s(e#1 o #n%one &n +&s #%2 ) "e

*e -&0e %o # ,e !#&ons:

6. God ne0e$ s#%s &n H&s Wo$d +# +&s &s H&s no$*#" *e+od o, d&$e!&n- H&s (eo("e . In

,#!2 I !#n@ +&n1 o, #n% )&)"&!#" !+#$#!e$ +o -o d&$e!&on +&s #%

8. I@0e seen *#n% (oo$ de!&s&ons *#de &+ +&s *e+od . In ,#!2 one -od"% !o("e )o+

,ond J!on,&$*#&on &n +e S!$&($es +# +e% e$e o *#$$%. Ye2 God ended ("e#d&n- +e* d&,,e$en d&$e!&ons.

; Don@ E*(+#s&/e So*e B&)"&!#" P$&o$&&es o +e Ne-"e! o,O+e$s

In #n e#$"&e$ "esson e -#0e so*e e9#*("es o, (eo("e *#1&n- -$e# s#!$&,&!es &no$de$ o ,",&"" # -$e# )&)"&!#" ($&o$&%: &*(#!&n- #s *#n% (eo("e #s (oss&)"e ,o$ C+$&s. Bso*e C+$&sns s,,e$ ,$o* nne" 0&s&on2 -e&n- #"" !#-+ ( &n one ($&o$&% o +e ne-"e!o, o+e$s.

ILL?STRATIO+: Remem$er ;&T& Studd, the 'u( who %et ame and ortune to im!act;hina, India, and Arica or ;hrist8 The one who said, 2Some want to %i*e within the sound ochurch or cha!e% $e%%E I want to run a rescue sho!, within a (ard o he%%&48 I think he $%ew this

!rinci!%e in his %atter (ears& >ou see, he was an e-treme%( disci!%ined 'u( and e%t %ike the !riorit(o e*an'e%ism was so 'reat that e*er(one shou%d s!end a%% da( doin' the work o the ministr(& +e$e'an work at :GG AM &"1&n sedo s#%2 JI@s e#s&e$ o -o o #

!ons&sen e9$e*e2 +#n os#% &n +e !ene$ o, )&)"&!#"ens&on.

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sickness and in hea%th3ti%% death do us !art48 So, he %et his successu% career to care or his wieat home& This 'reat inte%%ectua%, this eecti*e %eader, $e'an to em!%o( his ta%ents in eedin', carin'or, and comortin' his wie&


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W+en e +&n1 o, +e A(os"e P#"2 e end o +&n1 o, # -% +o #"#%s 1ne +e$e+e #s -o&n-. F#!&n- o((os&&on2 s$e. B !on,&den"% 1no&n- +&!+ #% o #1e # e#!+!$oss$o#d +e ,#!ed. B II Co$. 5:4 )"os +# (&!$e. 3H#0e so*eone $e#d 0e$ses


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I, #n #(("&!#&on o, #"" ($&n!&("es s&"" "e#0es %o

&+ o o$ *o$e e#""% des&$#)"e o(&ons2 %e # de!&s&on*s )e *#de2 !ons&de$ d$#&n- "os. T+e Ne Tes#*en!+$!+ sed +&s *e+od +en +e% +#d o !+oose one o, o

e#""% #"&,&ed *en o $e("#!e d#s #nd )e!o*e #n #(os"e3A!s 6:86


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$e%ie*ed we shou%d 'o on the radio and that the( wanted to $e the irst to contri$ute& And eachenc%osed a 1GG check4

2Then, when I turned to 'o to the e%e*ator, who shou%d $e standin' in the %o$$( $uta%ter and Fred& The( had $een read( to %ea*e at the air!ort, the( said, $ut somethin' had to%d

them not to 'et on the !%ane&" Thus $e'an #i%%( )raham.s "The +our o ecision" $roadcast&

; A0o&d )e&n- $s+ed &no *#?o$ de!&s&ons.

2It is not goo/ to ha"e ea# witho&t know#e/ge' nor to e hast! an/ 0iss the wa!$43P$o0. 6:87

H#0e #n% o, %o )een !on,$oned )% (eo("e +o ($esen %o &+

Jo((o$n&&es +# %o *s de!&de (on &**ede"% So*e&*es2 +e% #$e $%&n- o se""%o so"en -oods. Us#""%2 +e% don@ #n %o o -o +o*e #nd +&n1 #)o &. I, & see*s oo

-ood o )e $e2 & ($o)#)"% &s. Fe de!&s&ons !#n@ )e ( o,, n&" e +#0e &*e o +&n1#)o &2 ($#%2 #nd -e so*e &se !onse".

ILL?STRATIO+: Remem$er, smart car!enters measure twice and cut once,whereas oo%ish car!enters measure once and cut twice&

; Don' +&n1 +# %o need o 1no #"" o, %o$ ,$e no.2+ow #isten' !o& who sa!' @To/a! or to0orrow we wi## go to this or that cit!'

s%en/ a !ear there' carr! on &siness an/ 0ake 0one!$: Wh!' !o& /o not e"en know what wi##ha%%en to0orrow$ What is !o&r #i*eK -o& are a 0ist that a%%ears *or a #itt#e whi#e an/ then"anishes$ Instea/' !o& o&ght to sa!' @I* it is the Lor/:s wi##' we wi## #i"e an/ /o this or that$:4

3*s. 5:6


19/27

; Don' )e de!e&0ed &no +&n1&n-+# #n%+&n- &s )ee$ +#nGod's &"".

2The thie* co0es on#! to stea# an/ ki## an/ /estro!9 I ha"e co0e that the! 0a! ha"e #i*e'an/ ha"e it to the *#$3n. 6:67

ILL?STRATIO+7 ann( /ones, a missionar( to S%o*akia, used an o$5ect %esson that (ouma( want to use here& Take two !ieces o raw meat& 7ut one in the reri'erator and %ea*e the otherout to rot& ra! each one ti'ht%( in !%astic and wra!!ed them nice%( in wra!!in' !a!er& La$e% one")ods i%%" and the other "Satans %ie"& On the outside the( %ook e@ua%%( a!!ea%in'& At this !ointin the %esson, ask two *o%unteers to choose a !acka'e to o!en UESTIONS YOU COULD USE

6. #n #ns o *#$$% # non


20/27

)e se0e$#" o(&ons +# !o"d )e $&-+ ,o$ %o2 #s "on- #s %o don' 0&o"#e #n% )&)"&!#"

e#!+&n-. W+# do %o +&n1

JDIGGING DEEPER >UESTIONS FOR TEACHERS

6. So*e -$o(s o"d s#% +# God ses (eo("e &+ +e -&, o, ($o(+e!% o -&0e d&$e!&on o!+$!+es #nd &nd&0&d#"s. O+e$s o"d s#% +# s&n!e +e S!$&($es +#0e )een

!o*("eed2 +e$e &s no "on-e$ # need ,o$ +&s -&,. W+# do %o +&n1 #nd +%8. Do %o +&n1 God@s &"" &s #"#%s 0e$% s(e!&,&! 3on"% one (e$son ,o$ %o o *#$$%2 on"% one

%(e +#*)$-e$ +e #ns %o o e# ,o$ "n!+72 o$ do %o +&n1 +# so*e&*es Godo,,e$s %o # $#n-e o, o(&ons2 #n% one o, +&!+ o"d )e !ons&sen &+ +&s &""

. Is J+e !#"" o, God o )e # 0o!#&on#" C+$&sn o$1e$ 3o$ o # !e$#&n *&n&s$%7d&s!e$ned &n # #% d&,,e$en"% +#n o+e$ *#?o$ de!&s&ons

YES: We +#0e +e e9#*("e o, +e A(os"e P#"2 +o +#d # d$#*#&! !#""&n- o +&s

*&n&s$%. T+e !#"" *#% d&,,e$ ,$o* (e$son o (e$son2 ) &+o #n n*&s#1#)"e J!#"" o*&n&s$%2 # (e$son *#% )#!1 o "#e$ +en +e -o&n- -es o-+.

NO: #. T+e B&)"e ne0e$ s#%s +# +e !#""&n- o, P#" &s no$*#&0e ,o$ #"" C+$&sn

o$1e$s.). P#" #s no !#""ed o # 0o!#&on #s *!+ #s # *&n&s$%. He so*e&*ess((o$ed +&*se", #s # en*#1e$. So*e (eo("e ,ee" +e% +#0e se"ed ,o$ se!ond)es +en +e% !#n@ $#&se eno-+ s((o$ o *&n&se$ ,"" &*e. B P#" d&dn@see* ,$s$#ed #)o +&s en *#1&n-. And +e d&dn@ see* o !ons&de$ & o )e&n!ons&sen &+ +&s !#"".

!. O,en2 +en es&oned *o$e dee("%2 *&n&se$s +o e*(+#s&/e +e&$ J!#""

des!$&)e & &n e$*s 0e$% *!+ !ons&sen &+ +e de!&s&on *#1&n- ($o!ess #s edes!$&)ed & &n +&s "esson.

Re!o**ended Re#d&n- ,o$ Le#de$s:

B&)"&!#" E+&!s2 Ro)e$son M!>&"1&n2 T%nd#"e Hose2 642 ((. &"1&n &s one o, +e !"e#$es +&n1&n-&ne$($ee$s o, +e S!$&($e +# I +#0e ,ond. He $e!o**ends Kno&n- God@s W&"":

B&)"&!#" P$&n!&("es o, G&d#n!e2 M. B"#&ne S*&+2 Ine$V#$s&%2 6.

De!&s&on M#1&n- #nd +e W&"" o, God2 G#$$% F$&esen2 M"no*#+ P$ess2 64. A$-es

#-#&ns +e 0&e +# God +#s # Jde#&"ed "&,e


21/27

#s1&n- H&* o )"ess +e*. M#n% +#0e )een )$o-+ o # !"ose$ #"1 &+ C+$&s +$o-+ +&s

sd%. H&s #(($o#!+ d&,,e$s # so*e (o&ns ,$o* *% #(($o#!+. W+&!+ do %o +&n1 &s *o$e!ons&sen &+ S!$&($e W+%

O*erhead

LIFE AT THE CROSSROADS

HOW TO MANE THE RI3HT DECISIO+S(SESSIO+ I)

I+TROD?CTIO+7 THREE -O?TH AT THE CROSSROADS

"No 'ood thin' does +e withho%d rom those who wa%k u!ri'ht%(&" T HIS WILL' WHATE,ER IT MA- EK (5ohn71)

II$ >RI+CI>LES OF 3?IDA+CE

A$ TALN TO 3OD$ (5a0es 17J)

>ra!ing Ao&t Co##ege

$ 3O TO 3ODPS WORD$ (II Ti0oth! 6718'1)

1


22/27

The Mor0on Cha##enge

CO+CL?SIO+7 ack to -o&r Decisions

ACTIO+ >OI+TS7

LIFP AT T+P ;ROSSROAS+O TO MAQP T+P RI)+T P;ISIONS

ERTS

e!on/ the PIn Lo"eP S!n/ro0e

-O?R CH?RCH (Acts 1671;69 1J7=='=)

D$ CO+SIDER -O?R 3IFTS A+D DESIRES$ (>sa#0 679 Ro0ans 1=76;)

E$ CO+SIDER -O?R CIRC?MSTA+CES I+ THE LI3HT OF ILICAL>RI+CI>LES$ (Ro0ans 1J7=6'=9 I Corinthians 187')

F$ ESTALISH >RIORITIES ASED O+ ILICAL >RIORITIES (Mt$

=71;=G9 Mt$ ==76;G9 I Cor$ 187'9 Acts 171;==)

2Me/icine' or Missionar! Me/icineK4

25ohn Fo##ows The 3reatest +ee/4

2C$T$ St&// Sacri*ices A##4

1


23/27

ACTIO+ >OI+TS7

LIFE AT THE CROSSROADSHOW TO MANE THE RI3HT DECISIO+S

(SESSIO+ III)

CA?TIO+S7

DO+PT TANE SCRI>T?RE O?T OF CO+TEQT$ (II Ti0oth! =71J)

3o an/ Do Likewise

DO+:T EM>HASIE SOME ILICAL >RIORITIES TO THE +E3LECT OF OTHERS$ (Ro0$

171 a#ance/ with Mt$ =71;=G)

2A Missionar! 3ets O** a#ance4

2A ?ni"ersit! >resi/ent Fin/s The a#ance4

DO+PT FALL I+TO WORR-$ (>ro"ers 67J'89 >hi#i%%ians 78)

DO+PT >?T TOTAL TR?ST I+ FEELI+3S$

23o/ Wants Me To e -o&r >astor4

23o/#!' &t Le/ Astra! ! His Fee#ings4

DO+PT ALWA-S EQ>ECT ASOL?TE CERTAI+T-$ (Acts 17=1;=8)

2i##! 3raha0 Throws O&t A F#eece4

TR- TO A,OID EI+3 R?SHED I+TO MA5OR DECISIO+S$ (>ro"ers 17=)

S0art ,ers&s Foo#ish Car%enters

DO+PT THI+N THAT -O? +EED TO N+OW ALL THE F?T?RE +OW$ (5a0es 716;1J)

Dri"ing With Li0ite/ Distance Hea/#ights

DO+PT E DECEI,ED I+TO THI+NI+3 THAT A+-THI+3 IS ETTER THA+ 3ODPS WILL$

(5n$ 1G71G)

1


24/27

2Which 3i*t Wi## -o& ChooseK4

ACTIO+ >OI+TS7

St&/ent Sheet

LIFE AT THE CROSSROADS(HOW TO MANE THE RI3HT DECISIO+S)

SESSIO+ I

I+TROD?CTIO+7 THREE -O?TH AT THE CROSSROADS

(>sa#0 711' >ro"ers 171=)

I$ TO 3?IDA+CE

A$ ARE -O? K (5ohn 67189 Acts =76)

$ ARE -O? WHAT -O? ALREAD-N+OW TO E HIS WILLK (5ohn 71)

ItPs not the %arts o* the i#e I /onPt &n/erstan/

that other 0e$ ItPs the %arts I /o &n/erstan/$ (Mark Twain)

C$ ARE -O? WILLI+3 TO HIS WILL'WHATE,ER IT MA- EK (5ohn 71)

D$ OF 3?IDA+CE

A$ TALN TO $ (5a0es 17J)

>ra!ing Ao&t Co##ege

$ 3O TO $ (II Ti0oth!6718'1)

The Mor0on Cha##enge

1


25/27

CO+CL?SIO+7 ack to -o&r Decisions

ACTIO+ >OI+TS7

St&/ent Sheet

LIFE AT THE CROSSROADS(HOW TO MANE THE RI3HT DECISIO+S)

SESSIO+ II

I+TROD?CTIO+7 The Ecite0ent o* Disco"er!

C$ TANE TIME TO SEEN WISE $ (>ro"ers 1J7==)

THOSE WHO N+OW -O? WELL

Deci/ing on a Wi*e

EQ>ERTS

e!on/ the PIn Lo"eP S!n/ro0e

-O?R CH?RCH (Acts 1671;69 1J7=='=)

D$ CO+SIDER -O?R A+D $ (>sa#0 679Ro0ans 1=76;)

E$ CO+SIDER -O?R I+ THE LI3HT OFILICAL >RI+CI>LES$ (Ro0ans 1J7=6'=9 I Corinthians187')

E$ ESTALISH ASED O+ ILICAL>RIORITIES (Mt$ =71;=G9 Mt$ ==76;G9 I Cor$ 187'9Acts 171;==)

2Me/icine' Or Missionar! Me/icineK4

25ohn Fo##ows The 3reatest +ee/4

2C$T$ St&// Sacri*ices A##4

ACTIO+ >OI+TS7

1


26/27

LIFE AT THE CROSSROADSHOW TO MANE THE RI3HT DECISIO+S

(SESSIO+ III)

CA?TIO+S7

DO+PT TANE SCRI>T?RE O?T OF $ (II Ti0oth! =71J)

23o An/ Do Likewise4

DO+:T EM>HASIE SOME ILICAL >RIORITIES TO THE+E3LECT OF OTHERS (Ro0$ 171 a#ance/ with Mt$ =71;=G)

2A Missionar! 3ets O** a#ance4

2A ?ni"ersit! >resi/ent Fin/s The a#ance4

DO+PT FALL I+TO $ (>ro"ers 67J'89 >hi#i%%ians 78)

DO+PT >?T TOTAL TR?ST I+ $

23o/ Wants Me To e -o&r >astor4

23o/#!' &t Le/ Astra! ! His Fee#ings4

DO+PT ALWA-S EQ>ECT ASOL?TE $ (Acts 17=1;=8)

2i##! 3raha0 Throws O&t A F#eece4

TR- TO A,OID EI+3 I+TO MA5OR DECISIO+S$(>ro"ers 17=)

S0art ,ers&s Foo#ish Car%enters

DO+:T THI+N THAT -O? +EED TO N+OW ALL OF -O?R +OW$ (50s$ 716;1J)

2Dri"ing With Li0ite/ Distance Hea/#ights4

DO+:T E DECEI,ED I+TO THI+NI+3 THAT A+-THI+3 IS THA+ 3OD:S WILL$ (5n$ 1G71G)

2Which 3i*t Wi## -o& ChooseK4

1


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ACTIO+ >OI+TS7 1

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How to Make Right Decisions