OBC ATT 8 ATTITUDES OF THE HEART

OBC ATT 8 ATTITUDES OF THE HEART NOV / DEC 2007

LESSON EIGHT

How can I keep my attitudes / thoughts pleasing to God?

No matter how hard we try, there will be times when our attitudes / thoughts are not pleasing to God. When preparing the lessons for this course, I realized more work was needed on some of my own attitudes. No doubt, during the course of this study, you have also realized the same thing. Hopefully, together we will have grown through this study. In this last lesson, we will consider some scriptures that can help us to continue growing, as we strive to maintain the Christian attitudes which will help us reach heaven.

1. We must be committed to pleasing God and strive to give every thought to Christ.

2 Corinthians 10:4-5, "For the __________ of our _________ are ___ ______ but ________ in ____ for pulling down _____________, casting down ____________ and ______ high thing that exalts itself __________ the _____________ of ____, bringing ______ ________ into _________ to the ____________ of ______,"

2. Philippians 2:5, "Let this _____ be in ____ which was also in _____ _____,"

How can we learn to think like and have attitudes like Christ Jesus?

3. In God’s word, Paul wrote to Timothy, his son in the faith, often reminding Timothy of the importance of study. Find a verse(s) in either 1 Timothy or 2 Timothy which teaches us also to continue in the study of God’s word.

Why is the study of God’s word so important, especially concerning "Attitudes Of The Heart?"

4. Read Psalm 1 and note the contrast between the righteous and the ungodly. In verse 1, what three things will the righteous NOT do?

Do you think the doing or not doing of these three things would have any influence upon one’s attitudes?

Explain your answer.

What does verse 2 say is the delight of the righteous?

5. Study again the parable of the sower in Luke 8:4-15. If the word of God falls on "good ground," what kind of heart is there?

What will one with that type heart then do with the word?

6. Read the list given in Philippians 4:8 on which a Christians is to think and meditate. What application would this have to the "Attitudes Of The Heart" course?

7. Colossians 3:1-2, "If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth."

How is one raised with Christ? (Hint: read Colossians 2.)

On what is one who has been raised with Christ to set his / her mind?

What would this have to do with "Attitudes Of The Heart?"

8. Colossians 3:15, "And ___ the ______ of ____ ____ in your ______, to which also you were called in ____ ____ ; and ___ __________."

Isaiah 26:3, " ___ will keep him in ________ _____, Whose _____ is ________ on ___, Because he _____ in ____."

God’s _________ is another help in maintaining attitudes pleasing to God.

9. In 1 Peter 3, God gives more commands for Christians. In verses 3 and 4, women are told their adornment is not to be merely outward, but also inward. The hidden person of the heart should be adorned in what manner?

What is this type adornment in the sight of God?

10. As we close this time of study together, I share with you the following scripture and encourage each of you to "be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might."

Ephesians 6:10-18, "Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints –"

Thank you for sharing this study with me. I hope it has encouraged you to consider the importance of your attitudes and helped you to grow. There will be times when each of us fall, but hopefully, we will ask God for forgiveness and keep on striving to obey God and be pleasing to Him.

11. Now it is time for you to make comments about this study (such as to how it did or did not help you, ways it could be improved, things you would like to have covered in the lesson, etc). Please ask questions you might have and provide helpful suggestions concerning the course. If you have topics you would like to see offered for study in the future, please list those also.

"And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and

all discernment, that you may approve the things that are excellent, that you may be sincere

and without offense till the day of Christ, being filled with the fruits of righteousness which

are by Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God." (Philippians 1:9-11)

Dena Ivie

d_ivie_obc@hotmail.com

"Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!" (Philippians 4:4)