PART I - DECISIONS AND THEIR CONSEQUENCES 

INTRODUCTION: 

We know that the problem of decision making has plagued men and women from the beginning.  Several well-known quotes express this idea succinctly.

v    Indecision becomes decision with time.

v    When one bases his life on principle (law), 99 percent of his decisions are already made.

v    The hardest thing to learn in life is which bridge to cross and which to burn.

However, for the Christian, there must be guiding principles for everything we believe and do.  Our choices in this life must be based on a “thus sayeth the Lord.” 

GALATIANS 6:7

… For whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. 

·       In Pr 16:33, we see that lots are cast into our laps, and we are put in situations where we are called upon to make decisions.  In the end, the Lord disposes thereof; but what do we do first?

·       According to Pr 16:9, we devise; we make decisions.  Yet, in the end, the Lord directs the steps; but do our decisions (how we devise) have any bearing on how He directs?

·       In Jer 17:10, we see He gives according to our ways and the fruit of our doings.  What does He do to evaluate our ways and our fruit?  We know He searches the heart and tries the reins.  Does it matter what is in our hearts and our inner-most parts; does it matter what decisions we make, what lots we pick?

·       Solomon in Pro 20:27 says the Lord is searching the most inward parts of the belly.  Does God care what He finds; does it matter?  Do the decisions we make matter; are they of any importance?

·       According to Gal 6:7-8, we know they certainly matter.  What we reap is dependent on our decisions and subsequent actions.  We will reap what we sow!  So what if we decide to sow to the flesh all the time versus sowing to the spirit?  Will it make any difference in the end?

·       This study is intended to center around decisions we face and make, especially in our youth.  We want to understand that these decisions have consequences in this life as well as in the life to come.  We need to be fully aware that we reap what we sow.  We then want to consider some principles, given to us by the Lord, to help us in making these decisions.

·       We will pose the question to the class: what decisions do we face or expect to face in youth, as teenagers and young adults and what will be the consequences of those decisions?  We will start with a list of potential decisions and refer to it throughout our studies, making application in the subsequent lessons to the decisions we have on our list.

Potential decisions are as follows:

1.            Will we serve God or self?

2.            Who will we keep as companions or friends?

3.            Who will we marry; or will we marry?

4.            What kind of work or career will we choose?  Will we have a public career or be a homemaker?

5.            Where will we live as we work or go to school?

6.            What church congregation will we attend, or be a member of?

7.            How will we make financial decisions?

8.            With what determinations and commitment will we approach school, work, and other responsibilities?

9.            In what activities will we be involved (sports, recreation, social groups, service groups)?

10.         To what media (T.V., radio, music, books, movies, magazines, Web pages) will we allow ourselves to be exposed?

11.         What clothes, jewelry, alterations or additions to our bodies will we allow or disallow?

12.         What kind of language will we use; will we curse or use euphemisms?

13.         Will we allow ourselves to get involved in fornication, drunkenness (alcohol or drugs), riotous living, or the like?

14.         Will we go places or do things that could lead to actions described in #13?

15.         What do we do with our time, especially “free” time?  What should I do today, tonight?

16.         With what spirit/attitude should I conduct myself? 

The basic outline of the course will be as follows; however, some topics will require more than one lesson. 

Part I.  DECISIONS AND THEIR CONSEQUENCES

INTRODUCTION: THE CONSEQUENCES OF DECISIONS 

Part II.  PRINCIPLES IN MAKING GOOD DECISIONS

1. LIVE FOR GOD, AND FOR FINISHING THE RACE

2. LIVING TO REAP ETERNAL THINGS

3. LIVING BY FAITH, LOVING GOOD AND HATING EVIL

4. SEEKING GOOD OF OTHERS, NOT OUR OWN; BEING A LIGHT

Part III.  MORE APPLICATIONS--DECISIONS PECULIAR TO GENDER

WHAT IS A GOOD HUSBAND?

RESPONSIBILITIES OF A GOOD FATHER

BEING A GOOD PROVIDER AND A GOOD EMPLOYEE

BEING A SERVANT IN THE CHURCH

WHAT IS A GOOD WIFE AND MOTHER?

BEING A KEEPER AT HOME

BEING A SERVANT IN THE CHURCH

© Beth Johnson

Lessons may be distributed freely without changes.