These are the answers for the insert of the message presented on August 31, 2014. The answers for the Message Based Discussion Questions are  suggested and intended to stimulate discussion, not to prevent it. May you use these to enrich your discussions!

Do you have freedom to choose what to do?

1) In freedom, the Lord Jesus always chose God’s will John 5:19, 26-30

• The Lord Jesus submitted to __the Father_____
• Heb. 10:5-9 Jesus came to __do the Father’s will_________

2) You have freedom only in God’s holy will 2 Tim. 3:16-17

• Col. 2:9-10
• 1 John 2:15-17
• Ps. 19:7-11

3) You have freedom from sin only when filled with the Spirit Rom. 6:12-14; Eph. 5:18

The difference:

• Love   or        Desire                        1John 4:19; 1 John 2:16
• Dependence or        Independence          Pro. 3:5-6; Gal. 5:16
• Humility         or        Pride               Jam. 4:6; Phil. 2:5-8
• Gratitude        or         Presumption Col. 3:17
• Diligence       or         Laziness        Col. 3:23; Pro. 12:24,27
• Generosity     or         Selfishness   1 Tim. 6:17-19
• Contentment or        Greed             Phil. 4:11; Heb. 13:5

The Lord Jesus gives you freedom to choose in His holy will!

• Know His Word to know His holy will. When you choose what you want, that is slavery to the flesh.
• Compare your decisions to His holiness, not man’s righteousness.
• Embrace the passion for which you were made.

Message Based Discussion Questions

1) What are some decisions that you have had difficulty making in life? When you were young? As you have become older?

• It was definitely difficult learning to submit to my parents. Not because they were not good, but because my flesh wanted to do what it wanted to do!
• As I have become older, it is often difficult saying, “No.” When people ask for help, I want to help, but I too often say yes, but then sacrifice time with my family.

Digging Deeper:

2) Does God care where you walk in life? _yes___ Read Psalm 1:1-3. What guidance does this passage give you? How specific is the passage?

• Don’t walk in the counsel of the wicked, or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of scoffers. But delight in God’s Word and it will cause great blessing.
• It is not specific. It tells the child of God to steer clear from those who will pull you away from God’s Word in contrast to consuming God’s Word and enjoying the fruit of it.

3) If you have freedom, how much of the choice is dependent upon you? __The choice is to honor God or dishonor Him__ Upon what should you depend (Josh. 1:8; John 16:13; Phil. 4:6-7) What are five ways to know it better and ensure your choices are according to it? Of the list of differences from the message, how do the comparisons affect your choices?

• Five ways to know it better are:
  • Read it for devotions every day.
  • Join a home group to discuss the messages.
  • Read the passage of the sermon ahead of time.
  • Memorize passages that apply to areas of growth and struggles.
  • Lead another person in discipleship.
• The comparisons reveal that I have to think about each decision so that I am dependent on the Holy Spirit, and not my own desires. Apart from complete dependence on the Father, I will fall short of God’s holy standard of walking with Him.

4) Regarding God’s will, does He ever become specific (1 Thes. 4:3)? __yes____ What does that look like? Can there be various ways that that is accomplished? How so?

• He wants me to be holy as He is. My life should be different from the lives who live in the world.
• I can give a portion of my time and life to pursuing the Lord Jesus, or I can give 100% to Him. It’s an issue of commitment and faithfulness to please Him. What matters in life? Does visiting family prevent me from going to church? Then God is not as important as visiting family.

Making application from the message to life:

5) How do you help a teen understand the difference between “freedom of choice” and “freedom to choose under God”? What examples would you give? How do you disciple him when he is just getting to the age when he has more and more freedoms?

• Freedom of choice is to pursue what the flesh wants. Freedom to choose under God requires a denial of self and pursuit of His holy will.
• The former is choosing to stay out past parent’s call to be in, while the latter is being home 5 minutes earlier than what parents say. The former is using the family car for friends and fun, while the latter is cleaning out the car and filling up the gas tank in gratefulness to use the car.
• Consistently teach John 5:19-30 and orientation to the Father’s will. Teach about humility as in Jam. 4:6; 1 Pet. 5:1-5. Teach about oneness (John 17:20-23). Teach about the importance of discipleship (Matt. 28:19-20; 2 Tim. 2:2).

6) If the Christian has freedom in God’s holy will, does that mean that the Christian does not have any goals? Why or why not? Read 1 Pet. 4:10-11. What does this passage teach regarding how we should influence others?

• He has goals, because he desires to pursue God’s goals of holiness for his life.
• We are to use whatever God has given us for His glory, which means to diligently influence the people around us in His church. He’s given resources in order to influence and impact His people. We do not have to influence as others will influence. We are uniquely able to bless others.

7) If you have freedom as a believer, how do you avoid becoming lazy about your decisions?

• It requires great concentration to remain dependent on the Holy Spirit for His control. Laziness is not a life of faith. Laziness is a selfish mode of living, because the focus is caring for self, rather than using what God has given in order to bless others.
• That’s why Paul uses words like “agonize” for your faith!