1. Read Romans 12:14-21 , 1 Corinthians 13:4-8, and Galatians 5:22-23.  

   Love*, an action verb, is broken down into five adverbs that when implemented by you in any given situation,         describes Holy Love which then generates feelings of peace and joy. (*Love is implemented into the physical         world by certain actions that are implemented through you - but are empowered by the Holy Spirit (adverbs).           Doing actions that communicate love impacts both the giver and receiver. As a result of giving God's love, you       can feel the peace and joy of the Lord, both adjectives that describe a state of being/doing.)

 

• While the Holy Spirit empowers you to implement these five skills, it takes a willful decision on your part to         practice (self-control, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness and faithfulness; revisit Appendix 1U). Do you agree and if so, do you make this intentional decision - in all circumstances?

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• When you look at the descriptions of Holy Love (listed above and in Galatians 5:22-23), which ones cause your personality type the biggest struggle to develop? What will you do to develop the trait?​

 

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• Who you’ll become “in Christ” is your decision. God has empowered you to be and to do His will-love, but it’s up to you to choose to do it. Will you bend your will to God’s and submit to all of His standards or just those you agree with? ​Will you let gratitude rule over your attitude and/or circumstances?

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• Christian cognitive consistency (empowered righteousness) is walking in faith as shown by actions of love to God, self and others as led by the Holy Spirit (obedience to God’s commands resulting in holy - not secular conduct). Give an example of when and how you have recently done so.

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2. Do you cry out to God? How often do you pray? 

• When you do pray, do you believe God hears you?

• Do you ask God to bless your desired outcome or do you ask God to help you see how to apply the truth of His Word to your circumstances?​

• Do you end your petition to God with praise? 

• Do your prayers resemble the example of the structure that the book of Psalms reveals so that you end your prayer reaffirming your hope in the integrity of God?  Read "Take Hold of Hope".     

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3. Stop, drop, and roll is a common saying used to remember what to do when a fire breaks out. The difference           between reacting (running & screaming) and responding (a calculated decision) is relying on intention rather            than uninhibited instinct/impulse. Do you count (to 3 or 300) so you can select an appropriate response to try to

    prevent an escalation in conflict? (Revisit Appendix 2K.)

• Can you choose to walk away when a conversation has turned into a disagreement that is quickly escalating? Why or Why not?

• Do you apply Ephesians 4:1-3 and Hebrews 6:12 to help ease your mind?​ ​ 

• How do you resolve conflict? Are you prone to confront it or avoid it (become assertive or aggressive about it or just ignore it because your emotions are getting you too upset to continue)?

  • Do you get offended or look at it through the eyes of compassion?

  • Do you become competitive and independent so you can win the argument or do you become cooperative and look for an amiable solution-agreeable to both sides in the conflict? 

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4. What boundaries will you build around your behavior to keep bad influences from seeping back into into your         mind? ​

• How do you protect the "treasure" in your heart? (Read Luke 12:33-35). What attitude ensures this? (Review Appendix 2G and Appendix 2N.)
   

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5. Read the following scriptures; Numbers 23:19, 30:2, Judges 11:30-40, Deuteronomy 31:3-5, Joshua 9:1-15 and          James 5:12.​ “Say what you mean and mean what you say” is a familiar phrase today. It’s another way of saying,      “you reap what you sow”. ​Do you control your speech and actions in public to agree with God or man?

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• ​What can you do if you don’t recall God’s instructions when you are about to make a decision?​

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6. What does waiting on the Lord look and feel like? Do you make a conscious shift from impulsive and self-                 gratifying behavior to intentional other-focused behavior because of your love, trust and obedience to the               faithful, living God?

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7. Do you show hope through your A, B, C’s by being resilient? ​Can you feel your resiliency? Can others see it in        your attitude and behavior? ​

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• Do you "Choose an Attitude of Capability along with Practicing Coping Behaviors" when faced with difficulties or disappointments?

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8. In 2 Samuel 5:4-5, David became King over all of Israel. He didn’t have to consult anyone before making a             decision. What did King David do before he made a final decision to attack his enemy (2 Samuel 5:17-25)? Do         you ask God to bless your plans about what you already decided to do, or do you ask God if it’s the right                 decision in the first place?​ ​

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• Read the article about King David’s tendency to inquire of the Lord prior to decision making. When do              you inquire of the Lord? (https://tafj.org/2012/01/06/davids-nine-inquiries-of-the-lord/ )​

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9. In 1 Samuel 10:8, Samuel the priest tells Saul to wait for him at Gilgal (seven days from their last meeting) and          together they will make an offering to God. In 1 Samuel 13:8-9, Saul grows impatient because Samuel was late.        King Saul decided to do the priestly offering himself so he could move on. What was wrong with this decision?​

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• Soon afterwards, Samuel arrives. Read 1 Samuel 13:10-14. What did King Saul’s decision cost him? ​

 

• Do you think the standard for obedience is the same in the New Testament? ​Why? Why not?

 

• David waited 15 years to become king. Faith waits and allows you to persist through the discomfort of                future events that can cause doubt. Think of times when you decided to wait on the Lord and times                  when your impatience created impatience. What was a key factor in your inability to wait patiently? ​

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10. God is independent of time. That means that the amount of space between a promise of God (as recorded in          the Bible or personalized into a God-given vision or dream) can happen immediately or can take decades.              Does doubt and impatience motivate you to forgo the instructions and promises of God or do you trust God            and make decisions that are consistent with His Word regardless of the present circumstances or your own            agenda?​

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• Are you willing to wait and learn to trust God (even when you are under duress) to "finish the work He began  in you when you were sealed with the Holy Spirit? (Finish the work ... the ability to become righteous in soul and body, not just in spirit? Philippians 1:9-11, 2:12-13). 

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11. Judgement of other people without the accompanying responsibility is acting on a biased perspective and is           hypocritical of you. It communicates a mightier than thou attitude. What do you do to avoid judging others so           you can keep focused on your own integrity and you way to fulfilling the goal of pleasing God?​

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