Choices That Determine Destiny

This is a study based off of one that one of my OC professors, Dudley Chancey, wrote. However, I am not teaching his material verbatim. A lot of my own work and conclusions are in here as well. Over the next six weeks as we study these choices, I am going to post catch up material on this blog so that if anybody misses the class they can get on and fill in the workbook. Also, if someone has a comment that they didn't get to make in class, they can get on and make it. So here's the overview of the class material for Sunday the 27th.

Prov. 22:3 - "The prudent see danger and take refuge, but the simple keep going and pay the penalty."

When you get on a highway, you are going somewhere. Even if you don't intend to go there, that's where you are going because that's the highway you're on. Life is the same way. It is full of choices that we make, choices that determine destiny. When you make a choice, you get on a path and that path leads somewhere, whether you intend to head there or not. (Andy Stanley, The Principle of the Path). We are going to study in the following weeks how to be intentional about the path that we are on.

In each lesson, we will focus on two different themes. First, we will explore a process for making godly choices in everyday life. This process, called the 4 C's, is from one of Josh McDowell's books.

Consider the choice - stop and take a look before you go.
Compare our attitudes and actions to God - Though you must know him and his word!
Commit to God's ways - pretty self-explanatory
Count on God's protections and provision - He's going to take care of you!

These are principles not rules. A principle is a personal or specific basis for conduct. An exammple of a principle is to eat good and exercise and you'll stay healthy. You aren't going to get arrested if you eat at McDonald's. And just because you are exercising and eating healthy, you might still get some disease. It's a principle, not a rule.

A rule on the other hand is a regulation or law governing conduct. If you break the speed limit, you will get a ticket. If you steal something you will get arrested. If you kill someone you will go to prison and possibly get the death penalty.

The Bible is a book that teaches principles for living (though it was called the Law before Christ). The Ten Commandments (minus the don't kill and steal commandments) are principles. No one is going to be looking over your shoulder and arresting you for putting money before God. As long as you don't resort to violence, the police are not going to show up at your house for disrespecting your parents. Principles. Think about the Sermon on the Mount. Don't be angry, let your yes be yes and your no be no, love your enemies, give to the needy, don't worry, etc. Principles. In John 10:10 Jesus says, "I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full." These principles guide us to a full and happy life. But here's the best part. God's way has a fail safe. If for some reason your life sucks here on earth or it gets cut short, heaven is coming. Dwelling in God's presence will make up for all the stuff we have to put up with on this earth. Principles.

The second theme we will be exploring in each lesson will be the influence that our friends have on our choices. Is that influence positive? Is it negative?

Ecclesiastes 4:12 - "Though one may be overpowered two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken." Which brings us to our first Bible text.

Daniel 1:3-20

Background:
God judges Judah because they are following foreign gods. He sends them into captivity. Nebuchadnezzar takes the best-looking, smartest, and most promising teenage boys for himself to come and serve in his court.

From here, you can fill out the workbook on your own from the Bible texts. God bless and we'll see you on Sunday.