Looking at the Outcome

TEXT: Colossians 3:17-25; Romans 14:21; 1 Corinthians 6:12; 10:31; 2 Corinthians 5:10; 6:14; 1 Thessalonians 5:22; James 4:15

OBJECTIVE

The students will be able to explain the importance of measuring the actions of their daily lives—whether the actions will draw them closer to God or lead them farther away.

REFERENCE INFORMATION

God does not intend for man to be confused about the daily decisions that come his way. Because the outcome of daily choices can have a direct influence on man’s eternal destiny, God has provided a number of guides for man to use in making choices that will draw him closer to God.

First, He has given mankind the Bible, and it addresses every issue of life either directly or in principle. When a question arises about any activity, the Bible should be the first resource turned to. The Holy Spirit is another powerful source of direction, and provides guidance for Christians in measuring the actions of their daily lives. The Holy Spirit and the Word always agree. Godly counsel is another way Christians can weigh an action. A minister, a godly parent or older Christian, or someone who has had experience with choices like the one faced, are good sources for advice.

QUESTIONS

Every day of our lives should be lived in the center of God’s will. Measuring our daily actions by the Word of God will show us whether we are drawing closer to God or moving farther away. If we daily ask God to show us His will, and then follow His will, we can be sure of God’s blessing, and that He will be honored by the outcome of our lives.

1. According to our text in Colossians 3:17,23, what is supposed to be the motivating factor in a Christian’s life? In what manner is this to be accomplished?
   
   Response: We are to do all in the Name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by Him. Ask your students how much good for the Lord can be accomplished by our own strength. Let this discussion lead to the conclusion that if we want to work for Christ, we must secure His help and strength. This text directs us to base our words and deeds on the Name of Jesus. When we are conscious of Christ in all we say and do, then the outcome of our living will be right. The admonition is also given that our work should be accomplished heartily. Help the students understand that this means to do our service with enthusiasm and not with the attitude of, “I have to do it.”
   
2. Any act on our part that would cause a brother to stumble spiritually or to become offended is not good. See Romans 14:21. Scripture indicates that an opposite course of action is the responsibility of the Christian, and that conduct of this kind will bring about the outcome desired by God. What is this opposite course of action? See Romans 14:19.
   
   Response: Christians are to follow after the things which make for peace, and endeavor to edify one another. Discuss with your class the benefits that come both to the giver and receiver of actions of this type.
   
3. In 1 Corinthians 6:12, we read the phrase, “All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient.” The word expedient means “useful, or helpful to attain some end.” In light of this definition, how does the phrase apply to a Christian’s life?
   
   Response: Discuss with your class that there may be many things that are not sinful as such, but they are not useful or helpful in pleasing God or in getting ready for Heaven. We must also consider how our actions will affect others. As Christians, we want to do the things that produce the best spiritual outcome.
   
4. Name some ways one might be “unequally yoked together with unbelievers” (2 Corinthians 6:14). What would be the likely adverse outcome of a Christian’s putting himself into such a situ­ation?
   
   Response: Encourage the students to give their answers, which might include marrying an unbeliever, business partnerships with non-Christians, participating in professional sports or other activities that are not expedient. We do not win the world by joining forces with the world, but we win souls by living a godly life separated from the sins and attitudes of worldly people. If we keep ourselves pure in our thoughts and holy in our living, separating ourselves from the influence of unbelievers as much as possible, then our lives and testimony will have an influence upon the ungodly to help them realize the reality of Christ’s redeeming grace.
   
5. After reading 1 Thessalonians 5:22, explain what a Christian should do about evil. Name several ways this can be accomplished.
   
   Response: A Christian should abstain from all appearance of evil. The answers the students give may include staying away from places of sinful amusement, choosing friends from among those who are morally upright and not from among those who are conspicuously sinners, always telling the truth and not being guilty of speaking half-truths, and being sure that all business dealings are lawful and above reproach. This is an important question and should elicit student participation. For the Christian to refrain from even the appearance of evil is of special significance to the world, for the world usually looks upon the actions of Christians, not their intentions.
   
6. The Bible says, “Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good” (Romans 12:9). Make a list of things that are evil which a Christian encounters almost daily. How should we go about avoiding the evils that have been listed?
   
   Response: Your students may list such things as cursing and swearing, cheating, being disobedient to parents, lying, stealing, and taking the Lord’s Name in vain. The answers to the second part of the question should bring out the need of being saved, being a new creature in Christ Jesus. Other answers will probably include the thoughts of being careful where one goes, careful of what one looks at, careful of what one reads, and careful to avoid evil company. Discuss with the class that most of our actions will either bring us closer to God or move us away from Him. To obtain the desired outcome, we should plan our actions so they will bring us closer to God.
   
7. In your own words explain how James tells us to plan for tomorrow (James 4:15). Why is this important?
   
   Response: “If the Lord will.” This is important because we do not have a guarantee of tomorrow. God holds the time of each life in His hands, and ordinarily He does not reveal the extent of that life to the individual. Discuss with the class how necessary it is that the Christian plan his life to be in the center of God’s will. The Apostle gives us the key: “If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that.” If a person determines to do something against the Lord’s will, the outcome will be disastrous, probably in this life and surely in eternity. How much better to plan our lives according to God’s Word and His will as He shows it. In that way we will have the best in this present life and the final outcome will be eternal life with Jesus.
   
8. Knowing that 2 Corinthians 5:10 is true, why is it so important to look at the outcome of our daily living?
   
   Response: It is important because the actions of our daily lives either draw us closer to God or cause us to move away from Him. This is a good question with which to sum up the lesson. Draw the students into a discussion as to the consequences of living only for oneself. Contrast this, then, with living daily for Christ and eternity. Some may excuse their actions with the thought that living to please only themselves can, in time, be repented of and forgiven. This is true—if the time God has allowed them doesn’t run out. And if they do repent, just think of all that time that is lost to them. How much better to be thoughtful of the outcome of each day’s living, being guided by Christian thought, principle, and determination. The “Well done, good and faithful servant” will be heard by those who have been faithful in their everyday living. Jesus said, “Thou hast been faithful over few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord” (Matthew 25:23).

CLASS ACTIVITIES

Give each student a copy of a drawing of the face of a clock (large enough so that students can write in the space between the hours), or provide paper and pencils so students may draw their own clock. Ask the students to fill in the main thing they did each hour of the previous day. Allow about five minutes for this, then ask them to review their day. How could they have done better? What are they glad they did? Did they remember to pray? read the Bible? Would they like an opportunity, were it possible, to do some things differently? Bring out that it might be possible to have done some things they wouldn’t want to fill in if they knew someone else would read it.

Strike a match and let it burn a bit. Blow it out. Emphasize to your students that the match could have been used to light a candle, a stove, a campfire, etc. But, instead it did no good and is now useless. Stress the point that once a day is over, you can’t go back and change anything you have done. Being sorry or wishing things had been different doesn’t change a thing. Be careful with each day of your life. Draw close to God and ask Him, every morning, to help you make that day count for Him—a day which, in retrospect, you will have no regrets for the way you lived.

Make a list on a chalkboard containing all the lesson titles from this quarter. Write the key verses on slips of paper. Put them in a sack and mix them up. Have the students draw a slip of paper from the sack and tell you which lesson the verse matches. If they don’t know, or answer incorrectly, put the slip back into the bag for someone else to draw until all slips have been matched to lesson titles. As you go through each verse, you can ask the students to sum up the importance of each lesson and how it can draw each of us closer to God.