God's Virtues
Prepare for Launch
get ready with these Helpful Resources
Matt. 5:8; 1 Tim. 4:12; Ps. 51:10
“Snow in November”
I looked out my window this fall morning, expecting to see brown. But instead, everything I saw outside my window was covered in snow. Untouched by footprints or car tracks, it seemed to have baptized the world I knew — parked cars, trees, mailboxes — under a blanket of white. When you see how clean it looks, sparkling in the sunlight, you understand the Lord's invitation: "Come now, let us reason together ... though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow." He says, "Wash yourselves; make yourselves clean; remove the evil of your deeds from before my eyes.” And he wants his people to “learn to do good” and “seek justice” for the oppressed (Isa. 1:16-18). So let's complete our study with one final praiseworthy virtue, filling our hearts with "whatever is pure" (Phil. 4:8).
Filling our hearts and minds with goodness leaves no room for the filth of sin.
THE BIG IDEA
After David's sin, he prayed for God to wash him "whiter than snow" (Ps. 51:7). But he didn't stop at a prayer for forgiveness. Instead, he asked God to create something new in him. "Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me" (Ps. 51:10)
Rather than impure, fleshly thoughts, "those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit" (Rom. 8:5). The old you died. In baptism, you rose with Christ (Rom. 6:1-5), who reigns above. So set your mind on what's above and put to death "what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry" (Col. 3:2, 5).
What do supermarket labels mean when they say, "100% Pure"? Purity is about completeness. It's "100% pure Canadian maple syrup" only if the entire product is Canadian maple. And we're "pure in heart" (Matt. 5:8) when we devote ourselves entirely to the Lord, with single-minded sincerity.
What sin is it easy for you to overlook, and how can you give it more attention?
THE BIG QUESTION
Facing Facts
Fill Your Heart With All the Best Things
INTRODUCTION
Launch the study with a CONVERSATION STARTER on the Big Idea.
Read or watch “Snow in November” (above). What do you take from that Big Idea and Big Question? ICE BREAKER — Get everyone engaged and talking.
What do you do with the junk in your house when someone stops by to visit?ACT I
JESUS SAID — Matthew 5:8
What’s the main point of this passage?
What does this passage teach you about purity?
What insights and applications do you take from these words of Christ? What do we need to get from these words that — if understood and applied — has the power to bless and strengthen us?Is there anything else here you find helpful or interesting? Anything you’ve never noticed before — or have always loved about these words?
ACT II
HELLO, MY NAME IS — Bezalel & Oholiab
We’ll focus this character study of Daniel on chapters 1, 6, and 9 of the book of Daniel. Use the space below to summarize what happens in these three “scenes,” and then apply the passage.Setting The Stage
The book starts in the early days of exile in Babylon, before Jerusalem fell. In 605 BC Nebuchadnezzar took some of the “best and brightest” of Judah into his cour. So though far from home, Daniel interacts at the very highest levels of power in the world. Telling The Story
SCENE 1: Daniel Purposes in His Heart (Daniel 1):
SCENE 2: Daniel Stays Consistent (Daniel 6):
SCENE 3: (Daniel 9): Daniel Prays for God’s People (Daniel 9):Applying the Scripture
What do you take — for your life — from the example and story of Daniel? ACT III
REACH OUT — Connect with each other with this question.
How have these gifts and virtues helped you elevate your thinking.
WRAP UP
THE CHALLENGE — Ready to put it into practice?
Take time to be holy this week.REQUEST — Go to God in a closing prayer.
For example: “Create in me, a clean heart, O God!” (cf. Ps. 51:10).“Quality Assurance”
Conclusion
Put your hands in the pocket of a brand-new pair of pants, and you might pull out a slip of paper that reads, "PROUDLY INSPECTED BY 9." Whoever "9" is, they want you to know that they've checked the seams, zippers, pockets, and belt loops on your new britches and want you to feel confident in the construction. Quality assurance may not be a glamorous job, but it's sure better than having a wardrobe malfunction in the middle of the grocery store!
In this What's Good study, we've been inspecting the quality of our thoughts. If we're thinking about whatever is "true ... honorable ... just ... pure ... lovely" and "commendable" (Phil. 4:8), we know we're thinking long-lasting and time-tested thoughts. So, as we wrap up these conversations, let's look back at the big ideas we've tackled, praising God for his incredible goodness.
THE BIG IDEAS FROM THIS STUDY
God's Good Gifts
When we don't take in the natural world, we miss a window into the wonder of God's goodness and greatness.
The chance to do good work and appreciate the work of others is worth celebrating.
Work is good, but God also created us to enjoy the sweetness of rest.
God manifests his wisdom and glory in the diversity he has filled his good world with.
Singing expresses what's inside us — what we believe, feel, and decide.
It pleases and glorifies God when we gratefully enjoy his blessings together.
Family bonds can give us love and acceptance that reflects our Heavenly Father's.
Through consistent acts of loyal love, we stockpile trust that friends draw on for a lifetime.
Praiseworthy Virtues
Though we're not perfect, we glorify God by stretching daily to be better and do better.
God teaches us to appreciate kindness by pouring his unimaginable love and mercy into our lives.
We love truthful words because they're the language our God uses to speak to us.
When we lift ourselves above others, we forget that our King lowered himself for us.
Filling our hearts and minds with goodness leaves no room for the filth of sin.
A CLOSING QUESTION
How has this study changed the kinds of things you think about?