God's Virtues
Prepare for Launch
get ready with these Helpful Resources
Phil. 1:9-11; 2 Cor. 8:7; Dan. 5:12-14
“Cheese Doodles”
How are you doing with your resolutions? New Year's resolution #fails have become a familiar joke every January — only 9-12% of us hang on to them as we close the year[1]. Most have a half-baked "resolve" unworthy of calling "resolution," but that doesn't diminish the value of goals, even if we never achieve all our aspirations. Sure, we could vedge our life away with cheese doodles on the couch, but God created us to strive for growth. So as we shift our focus from God's gifts to virtues, let's pursue Christlike excellence.
Though we're not perfect, we glorify God by stretching daily to be better and do better.
THE BIG IDEA
Perfectionists lose their way, craving acceptance and chasing peace through flawlessness. But through Christ, we receive God's favor despite our faults (Eph. 2:4-10). We'll never reach God's perfection. But he "called us to his own glory and excellence" (2 Peter 1:3; 2:10) to imitate him (Matt. 5:48).
So "press on ... straining forward" (Phil. 3:12-14), growing "to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ" (Eph. 4:13). Hone your character, sharpen yourself (Eccl. 10:10). Make your life the masterwork you never tire of crafting in Christ's image (2 Cor. 3:18). Aspire to a "life ... worthy of the gospel" (Phil. 1:27).
Love is "the more excellent way" (1 Cor. 12:31ff), so may it "abound more and more ... so that you may approve what is excellent" (Phil. 1:9-10). And when you find "any excellence ... think on these things" (Phil. 4:8), noticing and appreciating it.
Sometimes "Whatever!" means we don't care. But Scripture says, "whatever you do, do all to the glory of God" (1 Cor. 10:31)! If we long to hear "well done" from Christ who "has done all things well" (Mark 7:37), we'll try to "excel in everything ... in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all earnestness" (2 Cor. 8:7).
Where do you need to strive for greater excellence?
THE BIG QUESTION
Excellence
Push Forward to Be More Christlike
INTRODUCTION
Launch the study with a CONVERSATION STARTER on the Big Idea.
Read or watch “Cheese Doodles” (above). What do you take from that Big Idea and Big Question? ICE BREAKER — Get everyone engaged and talking.
What New Year's Resolution have you actually succeeded at?
ACT I
LIKE THE TEACHER — Matthew 5:14-16
What’s the main point of this passage?
How does this idea relate to pursuing excellence?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
HEAVY WORDS — Excellence
arete (ar eh TAY) — This Greek word — often translated “excellence” — has a wide range of meaning, but it often has to do with achievement and mastery. It can describe anything excellent at accomplishing its purpose, doing what it’s supposed to do, from land that grows well to an excellent tool or animal, but mostly it describes the excellent human. From a moral standpoint, it’s about virtue. It refers to someone of “uncommon character worthy of praise” (BDAG). But, it could also describe the manifestation of divine glory and power, and it could describe praise. Put all of this together and you start to see why the New Testament puts this word in a list of virtues (2 Peter 1:5), but also tells us to proclaim the arete of God (1 Peter 2:9; 2 Peter 1:3). What strikes you about this word’s original meaning and usage in Scripture?What do you notice about the words use when describing God’s attributes (1 Peter 2:9; 2 Peter 1:3)?How can we grow in virtue/excellence (2 Peter 1:5)?How should excellence affect our thoughts (Phil. 4:8)?
ACT III
REACH OUT — Connect with each other with this question.
What are some areas that you're committed to growing in this year?
WRAP UP
THE CHALLENGE — Ready to put it into practice?
Share a short term goal with a friend and ask them to check in with you soon.
REQUEST — Go to God in a closing prayer.
For example: “As we trust in you Lord, our God, lead us to excel in good works for others to your glory and honor.” (cf. Titus 3:8).NEXT SESSION — Kindness
Prepare by reading Luke 6:35; 1 John 3:16-18; Eph. 4:32