Successful Life - Discussion 3

Biblical Management, Focus, and Commitment
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How to Manage Your Boss

Pray

Pray together for the group meeting, and any pressing needs within the group.

Review

Each week you’ll spend some time reviewing the previous week’s lesson. Did anything happen last week that brought the lesson to mind, and what did you learn from it?

Watch

Watch the following discussion-starter video. It’ll set the topic of discussion for the group.

1 Timothy 5:1-2

Ephesians 6:1-3

1 Samuel 24:4-12

 One person will first read the scripture selection in the King James Version. Next, another person will read the same passages in a modern language or amplified version for more clarity such as the New Living Translation (NLT), Message Bible (MSG), New English Translation (NET), Amplified Bible (AMP), etc. We recommend using the YouVersion Bible app.

Retell

  1. One person will begin retelling the scripture passage in their own words (a new person to start each week is great!) Then…
  2. As a group, work together to fill in gaps and build the story. This will help us internalize and own it. Be sure everyone participates.

Discuss

Together, share around the group how the topic and scripture setting applies to your life personally. Here are some thoughts to consider for discussion… don’t let the discussion stop here, though… what questions can you ask that will help uncover God’s message?

Scripture : 

1 Timothy 5:1 Rebuke not an elder, but intreat him as a father; and the younger men as brethren; 2The elder women as mothers; the younger as sisters, with all purity.

 What does Intreat mean?

 How would you correct your father ( or someone who is senior to you that you respect)?

  1. How would you correct your mother ( or someone who is senior to you that you respect)?
  2. What is the difference between rebuke and intreaty?
  3. This verse does not instruct us to treat anyone like they are beneath us. Why is that?

 Ephesians 6:1 Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right. 2Honour thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise;) 3That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth.

 Honor for an Elder 

  1. What is the commandment here?
  2. What is the promise?
  3. Is this commandment to the parents or to the children?
  4. How is the commandment to honor parents similar to the instruction in 1 Timothy 5:1?
  5. Does someone have to deserve honor for me to benefit from giving them honor?
  6. Are bosses always worthy of honor? Does this change who I am?

 1 Samuel 24:4And the men of David said unto him, Behold the day of which the LORD said unto thee, Behold, I will deliver thine enemy into thine hand, that thou mayest do to him as it shall seem good unto thee. Then David arose, and cut off the skirt of Saul’s robe privily. 5And it came to pass afterward, that David’s heart smote him, because he had cut off Saul’s skirt. 6And he said unto his men, The LORD forbid that I should do this thing unto my master, the LORD’S anointed, to stretch forth mine hand against him, seeing he is the anointed of the LORD. 7So David stayed his servants with these words, and suffered them not to rise against Saul. But Saul rose up out of the cave, and went on his way.

8David also arose afterward, and went out of the cave, and cried after Saul, saying, My lord the king. And when Saul looked behind him, David stooped with his face to the earth, and bowed himself. 9And David said to Saul, Wherefore hearest thou men’s words, saying, Behold, David seeketh thy hurt? 10Behold, this day thine eyes have seen how that the LORD had delivered thee to day into mine hand in the cave: and some bade me kill thee: but mine eye spared thee; and I said, I will not put forth mine hand against my lord; for he is the LORD’S anointed. 11Moreover, my father, see, yea, see the skirt of thy robe in my hand: for in that I cut off the skirt of thy robe, and killed thee not, know thou and see that there is neither evil nor transgression in mine hand, and I have not sinned against thee; yet thou huntest my soul to take it. 12The LORD judge between me and thee, and the LORD avenge me of thee: but mine hand shall not be upon thee. 

Boss and Employee

  1. What is the relationship between an David and Saul?
  2. What was Saul trying to do to David?
  3. How did David treat Saul?
  4. How does it change your perspective to do something for the Lord and not for people?
  5. Do you think it was it easy for David to resist killing Saul or did it come naturally?
  6. Does it come naturally for you to treat a un-just boss in a way that influences them to do right?

What is the application- how can we apply this to our lives?

  1. How are we to treat our bosses?
  2. How can I treat someone with honor and respect and work heartily if I don’t respect them?
  3. What is your focus- treating the boss the way they act, or acting out the character that you want to have?
  4. How can I focus more on what God wants of my character then on the character of my boss?
  5. If I intreat a boss like a father or mother – can I influence their character in a positive way?
  6. How does the new birth (repentance, baptism and infilling of the Holy Ghost) help us to live out these principles?

Next Week:  The Successful Life – Managing Your Peers

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