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The Pressures of Life
I.
School
Goal = Convince them that knowledge is good.
A.
Identify with them, how school is a pressure and how it
can be hard
B.
There is a need, though, to see the benefit in school
1.
Imagine what it would be like for you not to have any knowledge.
a)
Don't know how to operate a toaster and don't know how to read
the owners manual.
b)
Etc
2.
Imagine what it would be like to have our country run by people
far stupider than what we've already seen over the years.
3.
Imagine our scientists, who only have a 3rd graders
education, leading our space program.
C.
Compare and contrast wisdom and foolishness
1.
Scriptures
a)
Proverbs 1:7, 22 The fear
of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge. Fools despise wisdom and instruction.
b)
Proverbs 8:10-12 Wisdom is better than gold and
silver
c)
Proverbs 15:14
The smart person seek knowledge. The fool feeds on folly
d)
Proverbs 12:15
The way of the fool is right in his own eyes. Wise man listens
to counsel
e)
Proverbs 18:15
The mind of the prudent acquires knowledge. The wise seek
it out.
f)
Proverbs 20:15
Lips of knowledge are more precious than gold or jewels
g)
Proverbs 24:5 A wise
man is strong. A man of knowledge increases power.
2.
The point is---There is great value in learning--in gaining knowledge.
a)
Don't be foolish and despise knowledge.
b)
Why would you want to end up dumb?
D.
Yet school is so hard. It is a struggle
1.
Active dependence on God is key
a)
Prayer is one of the keys to active dependence on God.
b)
"Ain't too proud to beg" Ask help from friends. Maybe
from study partners. This too is dependence on God.
E.
Gospel
1.
If you don't know the God who has all knowledge, maybe you'd better
get to know Him.
II.
Popularity and Friends
Goal: Trust God for you popularity. In the mean time, continue
serving Him and others. 1 Peter 5:6: Humble yourself (serve God and
others) and God will lift you up(exalt you) at the proper time.
A.
Identify with them in our strong desire for popularity and
friendships
1.
We all want to be accepted. We all want to fit in. We all want
friends
B.
The problems of making it our goal to be popular
1.
Sometimes in the process of trying to be popular, our other-less
popular friends--get left behind. That, of course, makes them feel left
behind and hurt.
2.
Unpopularity is inevitable at times. In other words, you can't
please all the people all the time.
3.
What do you do when being popular means giving heading into damaging
sin--just to fit in with the popular crowd??.
a)
Here, you are making a choice to blow off your relationship with
God.
b)
Do you really want to be "controlled" by your friends?
C.
How to make the tough stands?
1.
Get your identity from the Lord. Here, review some key positional
truths.
2.
Try to convince them that it's God's opinion that really matters.
D.
Follow the Lord, serve Him, and serve others and He will
give you the appropriate amount of popularity.
III.
Divorce
Goal = show them how important it is to set the right
relational patterns now.
A.
Identify with them
1.
How hard it is to come from a divorced home.
2.
Show how hard it is for those parents who are divorced. The pain
they go through.
3.
Show scripture how Christ said it was never intended to be so.
B.
Instruct how things will be different (perfect) in heaven.
1.
Show some passages
C.
Learn how to build healthy friendships now--so you can make
your marriage work.
1.
It starts now. The patterns of failure or success start now.
2.
Some particulars
a)
Instead of lying or exaggerating, start telling the truth
b)
Instead of demanding your own way, try serving.
c)
Instead of using the other person to make yourself feel good, try
serving.
d)
Instead of running away from conflict, work it out with your friend
e)
Instead of bitterness, learn to forgive.
3.
If you struggle with these areas and it's really hard for you to
build healthy friendships, then talk to a friend or even your cell group
leader and get some advice.
4.
Serve God now. This is the best recipe for successful relationships
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