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INTRODUCTION
1) Describe "righteousness" in your own words?
Some answers;
a) doing the right thing
b) being obedient to God and parents
c) obeying laws
2) When is it most challenging to be righteous?
a) during peer pressure
b) when things are hard
c) when you just don't feel like obeying
d) when you don't understand
The goal of this study is to help you to biblically define righteousness and to help you see you need to be righteous in every situation no matter what.
1. 1 John 3:7
Dear children, do not let anyone lead you astray. He who does what is right is righteous, just as he is righteous.
Who is righteous?
a) Those who do what is right.
b) Those who are not led astray.
c) Those who imitate Jesus.
2. James 2:21-22
21 Was not our ancestor Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar?
22 You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did.
What made Abraham righteous?
a) He offered Isaac
b) He obeyed God.
c) He obeyed with faith.
Bottom line :. To be righteous is to do what is right and obey God's commands.
3. Matthew
26:38-39
38 Then he said to them,
"My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here
and keep watch with me."
39 Going a little farther, he fell with
his face to the ground and prayed, "My Father, if it is possible,
may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will."
How was Jesus feeling?
Overwhelmed, sad or
sorrowful, "this is hard", "I do not want this'
How did Jesus respond to his feelings?
a. He was open about them in prayer.
b. He was willing to do God's will.
c. He made a decision to obey, no matter what.
Bottom line : we must do what is right even when we do not feel like obeying God.
4. Acts 5:28-29
28 "We gave you strict orders not to teach in this name," he said. "Yet you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and are determined to make us guilty of this man's blood."
29 Peter and the other apostles replied: "We must obey God rather than men!
Why were the apostles being persecuted?
a) They filled the city with the words of Jesus.
b) They made people feel guilty about hurting Jesus.
How did they handle the persecution?
a) They were bold.
b) They obeyed God no matter what.
c) They did what was right or righteous
Bottom line : In the face of persecution or peer pressure, we must do what God says.
PERSONAL HEART - CHECK QUESTIONS
a. Is righteousness a daily goal in your life?
b. What areas are you most tempted to be unrighteous?
PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS
Matthew 6:33
But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
Start every morning by seeking God first.
a) Pray to be righteous
b) Be open about areas of weakness.
c) When unsure of what to do, ask, " what would Jesus do?
Write out one page about what you've learned from this study about righteousness, some things you have done or will do differently
because of this study; and how this will help you be a disciple someday.
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