Interesting and stimulating conversation last week in Source group. We welcomed several new people to our group. Looking forward to continuing our study on "Character" with you joining us tomorrow night!
Pages 6-11 "Character Matters" by Dr. Mark Rutland
"Virtue and Vitality"
Japanese and U.S. mothers of school-aged children survey: What do you consider the most important variable in a child's success in school? US: intelligence Japan: work and diligence
If a teenager holds rebellion as a virtue, he will imitate rebellious adults.
The businessman who holds success without integrity as a virtue will sell tainted baby food to a third World country without question.
A congressman who makes power a virtue may sell his soul for votes.
COURAGE separates men from beasts.
Evaluate the virtues evident in the church. Will it produce a John Wesley today?
IF we adhere to the protestor motto: "There is nothing worth dying for", What about the cross?
Discuss p. 8 (New England woman who was found guilty and probated her 5 year sentence after shooting her mentally handicapped 4 year old.) Where is the sanctity of life?
Discuss p.8 (Pro-choice rabbi debate with Dr. Rutland)
Our ideal cannot be the quality of life. If it is, then comfort, ease, beauty, intelligence, wealth, power and convenience trumps decency, goodness, kindness and the innate value of every life created by God.
THE QUALITY OF LIFE CANNOT BE MORE IMPORTANT THAN THE VALUE OF LIFE! If not,who will define quality?
Virtue: Faith and Works
Paul: "By grace you have been saved, through faith--and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God--not by works, so that no one can boast" (Eph. 2:8-9. NIV)
Peter: "Add to your faith virtue" (2 Pet. 1:5).
Discuss parable p. 9...Tree, stone and sun
Ps. 37:5-6 "Trust in Him and He will do this; He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn."
We must not sit like the stone, hardened against the Son of righteousness. God's willingness to help us must be met with our willingness to be helped. WE MUST ADD VIRTUE TO FAITH. God can teach us virtue, but we must want it.
Think on this:
"Perhaps a hundred years ago in the West, a book on character might have been so obvious as to have seemed frivolous. There would hardly have been a need to teach or write on virtue. God said the Ninevites did not know their right hand from their left. Perhaps the same might be said of modern America. America has lost her basic concept of virtue." Rutland
New ways of understanding and teaching character must be explored and used in schools, businesses, and places of worship. That is why we are studying this topic presently in our singles ministry. We can each make a difference when we decide to embrace godly virtues.
WE CAN AND HAVE LIVED WITH LESS WEALTH THAN WE HAVE. WE HAVE SURVIVED STOCK MARKET CRASHES, DEPRESSIONS AND WORLD WARS. WE CANNOT LONG SURVIVE WITHOUT CHARACTER, HOWEVER!
Next week......Courage: Character in Crisis
Don't miss one week.
(Let's discuss meeting the first Thurs. of each month for our Source class at a nearby restaurant like, Mcalisters, Tumbleweed, O'Charleys, Steak-n-Shake.)
mark Monday August 23 on your calendar for joining us at Christian Concert...Ky State Fair.
Pursuing Godly Character,
Becky
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