Decision Making and the Will of God

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    Decision Making and the Will of GodSelf guided study assignment for people facing major decisions

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    What does the Bible say about our decisions? Does God have a plan for your life that resemblessomething like a script in a theatrical production? Or has God allowed people the freedom to makechoices within the framework of his revelation? In other words, did God pave the road, paint the lanemarkers and post the road signs but leave us free to choose how fast we will drive or where we wantto go?

    Principle # 1 Life is like a game of baseball.

    If youve ever seen a baseball game youve noticed that the field is alwaysreferred to as a diamond. This is because the distances between the bases isdictated by the official rules of baseball. So is the height of the mound, thenumber of players on the field and whether a ball is in play or a foul ball. Allof the rules that govern baseball are unchangeable. And yet when two teamstake the field no one knows who will win. No one knows who will prove to bethe most valuable player or make the most spectacular plays. You see despitethe rigid rules of baseball, it is these rules that create the environment whereindividual players making split moment decisions can rise to the apex of victoryor slump in defeat. Rules provide the framework for the game to be played,without them there would be no game.

    Reality as defined by the Bible is comparable to this baseball illustration.God has provided the rules by which to play the game of life. If youunderstand the rules you will understand how to play life well. Life it can besaid is nothing more than the sum total of all the decisions and choices you havemade in life. These following verse will provide you with an introduction to therule book so you can begin learning how to make better plays when it comes todecision making.

    A. Seek First His Kingdom. (Matt. 6:33)Read Matthew 6:24-25

    In your words what is Jesus trying to teach you in these

    verses?__________________________________________ _______________________________________________ _______________________________________________ _______________________________________________

    Center for Biblical Counseling and Discipleship. 1020 Tyson Ave, Paris , TN. 38242. (731) 642 5585. Visit us at www.center4 biblicalcounseling.org

    Notes:

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    B. Delight Yourself in the Lord (Psalm 37:4)

    Explain the relationship between delighting in the Lord andyour personal desires? Can God grant you the desires of yourheart right now? Why or why not?_______________________________________________ _______________________________________________ _______________________________________________ _______________________________________________

    C. Profitable for L I F E and Godliness.(2 Peter 1:3)Most people tend to think of the Bible as a religious book that contains little or no teaching on how to live life today?Do you agree or disagree with this statement? If the Bible isrelevant today, can you explain how?_______________________________________________ _______________________________________________ _______________________________________________ _______________________________________________ ______________________________________________

    D. Be diligent to present yourself approved to God. (2 Timothy 2:15)What does it mean to not be ashamed? What does it mean tohandle accurately the Word of truth?___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________

    ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________

    SUMMARY : In order to make Biblically wise decisions one must obviously be born againunto life in Jesus Christ. The natural heart is dead and does not comprehend the things of God. A believer, according to the Bible now lives of the agenda that Jesus has set. Your areto delight in the Lord by reading the Bible with an aim towards understanding how itsprinciples can be lived out in your life. As you learn to play life according to Gods rulesthe stage is set for an amazing and varied experience. Jesus said of himself, I came so thatyou could have life and life more abundantly (John 10:10 my paraphrase).

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    Principle # 2 Youve Got to Have the Right Equipment to Play the Game

    Now that you understand the basic rules for the game, well turn next tounderstanding the right equipment you need to perform well. The equipmentwe are talking about here are some practical principles you need to understandto make Biblically informed decisions. Knowing the rules of baseball doesntmean youll be a star athlete. Likewise a star athlete without the properequipment, say a baseball bat for instance, cannot perform at his peak. When itcomes to making decisions, the next 6 points will help you perform at yourpeak.

    A. Talk to God.Prayer and Essential (Proverbs 16:1)Read this passage and then answer the following

    In your words, explain the meaning of this passage. Why is itimportant to pray to God?______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________

    Do you trust God? Why?______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________

    B. Define the Decision

    Is the decision a moral one (like whom to marry) or a practical one(which car to buy or school to attend)? It is typically easier to discernthe will of God in moral areas because most of the time you can findexplicit direction in God's Word (for example: Do not be unequally yoke 2 Cor. 6:14). If God has already revealed his will in Scripture,your only response is to obey.

    Non-moral decisions can be more difficult to make because of thelack of explicit instruction. These kinds of decisions must still beguided by the Scripture and the principles found there. Often the willof God is simply that a person make a decision after wrestling with

    the options in light of Gods Word!

    Is the decision you need to make a moral decision or a non-moraldecision? How did you decide?______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________

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    C. Prepare Your Heart to Accept Any Outcome (Proverbs 3:5-6)

    A key understanding Christians have to keep in mind is that we arecalled to pursue Jesus agenda. When seeking Gods wisdom about thedecisions you need to make you must be willing to accept any option theLord responds with. Remember if you delight yourself in the Lord Hewill give you the desires of your heart (Psalm 37:4)

    Are you willing an ready to accept any outcome the Lord hasprepared? Why?______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________

    D. Obtain CounselProverbs 15:22 says Without counsel plans fail, but with many counselors they succeed

    Who are trusted sources of counsel in your life?________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________

    Can non Christians be a source of Biblical counsel?________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________

    E. Do Your Homework / Weight Your Decision

    A pros and cons list is a very helpful tool for you to evaluate yourthinking. After making a list of the benefits or consequences of adecision think through what verses speak directly or indirectly to theitems on your list. Important questions to ask yourself are:

    Is God in what you are about to decide? Will this decision draw you closer to God or place impediments in

    your walk with Him? How will your decision impact your Christian testimony and the

    witness you have with the World? Are your priorities Biblical?

    F. Act in Faith (Hebrews 10:38)After defining the choices before you, praying to God for guidance, seeking Godly counsel and doing your homework, it is time to act! Whatever is notof faith is sin and a clear conscience is to be pursued. Therefore when youdecide to decide ask yourself if the choice you are about to make is being done in faith or sinful pragmatism. Is the choice you are about to makegoing to result in a quiet conscience or an accusing conscience?Principle # 3 Play Ball!

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    Now that you have an outline of the rules for the game of decision making and understanding of the basic equipment God has provided, well turnnext to understanding how to study your motivations and prepare yourheart for action. These next 6 questions are general principles that can beused to probe your own heart and motivations

    A. Is my Primary Desire to Please and Glorify God? Or Self? ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________

    B. Do I Have Any Sinful Desires Involved? If Yes, can you specifically identify any sinful desires? ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________

    C. Do You Recognize that God is Sovereigntly in Control? ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________

    D. Will the Decision You Make Cause Another Christian to Stumble inTheir Walk with the Lord?

    ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________

    E. Will Your Conscience be Pure and at Peace? ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________

    F. Can I Honor God with the Action my Decision Will Require? ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________

    Pros and Cons Worksheet

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    Pros Cons


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