Training yourself to be Godly

INTRODUCTION 1) What is involved in training?(athletic, spiritual)      a) repetition      b) learning the basics 2) How will you train yourself to be Godly?      a) consistent, daily times with God in Bible study and prayer      b) having self-control in challenging situations The goal of this study is to help you to see hat your spiritual progress depends on your willingness and effort to build your relationship with God on the foundation that has been laid by others. God wants each of us to take personal responsibility to mature and grow. To be Godly requires self-discipline and seriousness in heart and mind. 1. Philippians 2:12-13 12 Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed--not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence--continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, 13 for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose. Who is responsible for your salvation?      Pick one : parents, teen leader, church, or you. What does it mean to "work out your own salvation'?      a) obedience to God, even when other spiritual people aren't around      b) personal attention to your spiritual welfare      c) fearing God Bottom line : God puts the responsibility to work out your salvation on you. Then when you start working, he works in you to help you live out this purpose. 2. 1 Peter 2:2-3 2 Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, 3 now that you have tasted that the Lord is good. What does it mean to crave?      a) To have an intense desire      b) Can't wait to get it What is" pure spiritual milk"?      a) the Bible and prayer      b) Godly advice from parents, teachers and leaders      c) christ like examples Bottom line : What we desire, we pursue. You must cultivate an appetite for a Godly character by "tasting" the goodness of the Lord through your personal Bible study and imitating Godly qualities in others. 3. 1 Timothy 4:12 Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity. What example can you set for other teens?      a) Bible study and prayer being daily and life-changing      b) Daily evangelism with faith      c) Home life (Christianity starts in the home!)      d) Serving without hesitation      e) Speaking to others to build them up and not tear them down, whether it's a challenge or an encouragement; giving from your heart in all conversations      f) Acting maturely in church (not silly or immature)      g) Being real and sincere in your motivation to become a Christian Bottom line : ven though you are young, you can inspire others by your Godly example PERSONAL HEART-CHECK QUESTIONS      a. What areas do you see that you need to mature in?      b. Are you willing to take responsibility for seeking to change in these areas? PRACTICAL APPLICATION      a. Keep a journal for your quiet times so that you can remind yourself of the things you are learning and growing in.      b. Decide that you will be an example to the other teens when you are in the fellowship.      c. Go over the studies we are doing so that you can be sure to put the things you are learning into practice.

To the leaders of the study

A teen embarking on studying the Bible must have the maturity to follow through with the life-changing decisions that they will make throughout the study series. One way that their maturity can be discerned is by their efforts to train themselves in Godliness through their personal Bible study and their own hands and not waiting for others to do all of the initiating. The goal of this study is to help them to see their need to be self motivated in their relationship with God and their pursuit of the studies. Hopefully they will come away with the confidence that they can mature in their character quickly.