The “Principle of the Path” doesn’t feel spiritual to some… Could that be because our view of spirituality has been over-romanticized by the fairy tales and bedtime stories that we are used to? We want the “happily ever after” miracle, but the principle of how God works is often neglected in our lives. What is the difference between walking the “wise” path, and walking the “foolish” one?
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The BEST way to discuss this message is to use your thoughts, questions, comments from your notes on Sunday’s message. The 2nd best way is to use the questions I have provided here. Use your Podcasts App (IOS) to SUBSCRIBE to the podcast, so you always get it automatically delivered to you before life group. (Usually on Tuesday mornings)
Drawing the picture
On Sunday, I talked about how our lives draw a picture. Sometimes the picture doesn’t become clear till we connect a lot of dots. Did that make sense to you? How does that work in your life?
Direction, not intention, determines our destination.
The prudent see danger and take refuge, but the simple keep going and suffer for it.
Proverbs 27:12
Responding to danger by “taking refuge” involves action. What are some things that you might have to do in order to avoid danger?
I said most of us won’t do this. Why?
One of the most famous stories in The Bible is that of those Jewish boys deported to Babylon who, despite what everyone else in their culture was doing, chose to live in a different direction.
“But there are some Jews—Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego—whom you have put in charge of the province of Babylon. They pay no attention to you, Your Majesty. They refuse to serve your gods and do not worship the gold statue you have set up.”
Daniel 3:12
In fact, even when these boys were brought before the king under the threat of death by fiery furnace, they stood their ground, choosing to take an action that seemed to really be counter-culture, and death-defying.
“If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God whom we serve is able to save us. He will rescue us from your power, Your Majesty. But even if he doesn’t, we want to make it clear to you, Your Majesty, that we will never serve your gods or worship the gold statue you have set up.”
Daniel 3:17-18
This was potentially a pretty big sacrifice, but they were willing to walk the right path anyway. Even in the face of certain, painful death, they were willing to take the action of walking the Godly path.
Interesting that the “prudent see danger and take refuge.” Why does that almost feel opposite in this story?
The boys saw danger ahead, but they perceived an even greater danger than the furnace, didn’t they? What does that mean? What does that mean for us?
Walking the Godly path can often involve sacrifice. Probably not quite this level of sacrifice, but there may be some short-term sacrifices that you and I need to make. What is a situation in which it might be embarrassing to take steps to walk the Godly path?
Where in your life do you see danger ahead, and what will you actually do this week to avoid it?