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Choices that Challenge!

Choices that Challenge!. V. Bailey Gillespie, Ph.D. — La Sierra University Hancock Center for Youth and Family Ministry bgillesp@lasierra.edu. Thesis. “Living a life of faith is living a life full of choices Some choices we make freely Some choices are made for us. Biblical Illustrations.

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Choices that Challenge!

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  1. Choices that Challenge! • V. Bailey Gillespie, Ph.D. — La Sierra University • Hancock Center for Youth and Family Ministry • bgillesp@lasierra.edu

  2. Thesis • “Living a life of faith is living a life full of choices • Some choices we make freely • Some choices are made for us

  3. Biblical Illustrations • Moses made choices • Egypt or Sinai • Wealth or poverty • Akanaton and his one god vs. One God • Killing a co-worker (Ex. 2) • At the burning bush • He argues (Ex. 3:13) • “What if they don’t believe?” (Ex. 4:1) • And says, “I can’t speak!” (Ex. 4:10) • At Sinai and the golden calf (Ex. 33)

  4. Jesus’ Choices • In the Temple • In the Wilderness • In the Garden • All His choices sorted out who was in charge of his life

  5. What does the Bible say? • Phil. 3:20 “But our citizenship is in heaven.” • Rom. 12:2 “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is. . .”

  6. Values • Biblical Motivation for Values • Old Testament - “Great day of the Lord” - (return and rebuilding) • Prophetic reasons- “Examples to the nations” • New Testament - “Citizens of the Kingdom” (now and then) - • Sanctification (We belong to God!) • The Jesus Reason - WWJD

  7. Adventist Standards . . . • Types of Standards • Substance abuse standards = tobacco, alcohol, and illicit drugs • Adventist way of life standards - Sabbath, diet, exercise, modest dress, and non-marital sexual behavior

  8. Types of Standards • Popular Cultural Standards = Caffeinated drinks, hard rock music, dancing, movies, competitive sports, excessive jewelry, violent video games

  9. Why not give standards a new name? • Instead of “standards” call them “Life-Affirming Choices” • Instead of “negative standards” call them “Life-Denying Choices”

  10. Substance Abuse Standards“Tend” to “Definitely agree”

  11. Adventist Way of Life Standards

  12. Popular Cultural Standards “personally agree”

  13. Helpful Definitions • Values - A preferred quality or action. It refers to what is good, desirable, and worthwhile. • Sabbath-keeping, healthful living, honesty, faithfulness. • Our guidelines, our target for life

  14. Helpful Definitions • Principle - A guideline that flows from our values. • Not specific such as “should this dress end one or two inches above my knee?” but more general, “I choose to dress modestly.”

  15. Helpful Definitions • Standard - A practical application of a principle. A principle gives specific direction and clear goals for Christian behavior. • “I think I should not lie.” Honesty is the value, “Not lying” is the principle “I choose not to lie,” the standard that demonstrates the principle and value.

  16. Helpful Definitions • Rule - A specific interpretation of a standard for local settings. A rule is established as an aid in organizing behavior. • “At this meeting, we will not stand on the seats!”

  17. Values Principals Standards Rules

  18. How Do You Decide On Personal Standards? • Identify the principle or value • Defend it from a Biblical standpoint if possible, or at minimum find the “value” or “values” in it • See if there are exceptions to the standard, it may just be a rule and therefore have only a local application

  19. An Illustration • The Value - HEALTH • The Principle - “Be Healthy” • Why? • “Your body is the temple of God, health is your reasonable service (worship).” • My standard - “I” choose to be healthy • My rule - “I” will not smoke

  20. Now let’s try MUSIC • Most youth listen to some kind of music • What is the value that holds up our standard and rules about music? • WITNESS - We are a witness and others will learn about God from us • PURITY - Contents (words) could be a problem • BEAUTY - a subjective quality

  21. Now let’s try MUSIC • EDUCATION- Exposure to different styles and types of music form our taste • STEWARDSHIP - Time, balance • PSYCHOLOGICAL IMPACT - Music touches us at our core, our movement, our emotions both good and bad • CULTURE/TRADITION - some types of music are “better” than others they say.

  22. Now let’s try MUSIC • What is the life-affirming choice you have to make about music? • We try to apply all of the values above • Appropriate music - place, time, culture, tradition • Is the content helpful? - the words • Positive psychological impact? • Consistent with my education-preference

  23. Conclusions • Identify where sin really is. It is in our heart. • Get your heart right and learn to see how God impacts your choices • People have the ability to make choices. You must take time to sort out your life with God, after all you have to live your own life with God.

  24. Conclusions • With the above in mind, it would be helpful to focus on "criteria" that empower our everyday decisions and choices. • By focusing on these criteria we provide needed Christian direction for everyday choices.

  25. 1. Where is Jesus?

  26. 2. Community

  27. 3. Love • 3. LOVE

  28. 4. Solitude

  29. 5. Openness

  30. 6. Growth

  31. 7. Limitations

  32. 8. Values.

  33. 9. AFFECTIVITY

  34. 10. RESPONSIBILITY

  35. We can summarize our decision-making criteria by listing some general questions that touch on our experience of making everyday choices and decisions. • What role does Jesus Christ exercise in this decision? • Can I truly say that this decision is a responsible use of Christian freedom in my own life?

  36. How does my choice reconcile me with the community of faith of which I am a part, and how does my decision take into account the effect my decision has on others? • What are the ostensible signs of Christian love evinced in this decision I have made? • In making this decision, do I find time for interior silence whereby I can really listen to the Lord?

  37. How open am I to consulting others about this choice in my life? • How do past decisions, or decisions related to the one I am presently making, influence my present Christian choosing, and how does this choice allow for possible future growth?

  38. Can I recognize and admit the limits and imperfections of my choice, accepting my shortcomings, yet still relying on the need for ongoing and deepening conversion?

  39. How does this decision proclaim Christian values, and are my own values authentic signs of true Christian living? • What feelings do I have when making this decision, and how might these affective responses influence my attempts to determine an authentic Christian choice?

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