Proverbs: Formed by Jesus - Who Is Self-Control For?

OUTLINE:

• Mind: Matthew 4:4
• Heart: Luke 22:42
• Soul: Colossians 3:3
• Strength: 2 Corinthians 12:9

QUESTIONS:

• Mind: The Pharisees knew the Word and counted it as their righteousness. Jesus knew the Word and stood on it. When He was tempted, He answered, "It is written." Where has knowing better failed to make you do better? What's the difference between knowing a verse and standing on it? What temptation do you face most often, and what has God said about it? Name the Scripture.
• Heart: What I want changes with the day. In the garden Jesus told the Father what He wanted, and then He prayed, "not my will, but yours, be done." Where are your wants and God's wants pulling in different directions right now? What do you need to say out loud to God first? What would "not my will, but yours" sound like in that one area this week?
• Soul: Walls built on people's praise crumble when those same people tear you down. Your life is hidden with Christ in God, so they have to go through Him to get to you. The wall works like a filter. Which gets through your wall easier, praise or criticism? What does it do once it's in? Whose opinion of you has the most say in how you act? Think of one thing someone said about you recently, good or bad. What changes when you run it through what God has said of you? What has God said about who you are in Christ? Name one thing you have trouble believing.
• Strength: "Look at what I've been able to accomplish" builds a tipsy wall with junk mortar. True strength starts with surrender. His grace is sufficient, and His power is made perfect in weakness. Where have you been trying to beat something with discipline alone? How has that gone? Is there an area you've conquered that you now take the credit for? Where are you weak right now? What would it look like to bring that weakness to Jesus before you bring a plan?

SCRIPTURE:

Proverbs 25:28

NEXT WEEK:

Proverbs 30:7-9