Proverbs: The Quest for Character
Who are the people you consider your heroes? What do you admire about them? In your opinion, what makes them successful?
Read Colossians 3:12-16. What qualities does Paul encourage followers of Jesus to have? How are these qualities similar or different to the qualities you listed in the first question?
Read 2 Peter 1:3-8. The words “effective” and “fruitful” can be synonymous with success. According to Peter, what qualities lead result in a successful life? Do these qualities change the way you think about success? If so, in what ways?
Considering your answers to the first and second questions, what are some of the challenges or difficulties you face pursuing this kind of success? How would you ask God to help you develop a successful life?
Further Reading
Searching for the Generous Life
Just like modest investments can grow over time, our investment into God's kingdom generates growth and produces eternal dividends. The apostle Paul presented the Macedonian believers as an example of generous giving to the Corinthian church and to us. Let's explore...
Searching for Reconciliation
Confronting others concerning biblical/theological compromise is never easy or pleasant. Such encounters must be handled with sensitivity to the needs of others, directed by spiritual wisdom and the Scriptures, and guided by the Holy Spirit. Paul closed chapter two of...
Searching for Courage
On the surface, hearing God and following His commands seems straightforward. However, when God calls us to do something that generates fear in us and feels daunting, second-guessing His call becomes reasonable. Finding the courage to obey such a call is overwhelming....
Searching for the Abundant Life
Jesus explicitly explained his purpose when He said “…I came so that they would have life, and have it abundantly” (Jn 10:10). He said similar things many times, and these ideas are repeated, over and over again, by those who wrote the New Testament. Yet many people,...
Searching for Real Friendship
Some relationships may imitate friendship, but there’s no substitute for the real thing. Exploring the relationship between David and Jonathan in the Bible, we’ll identify some distinguishing features of friendship that are often overlooked and discover how to infuse...