Heart Connex Parents Page - February 8-12, 2012 - Temptations and ...
Truth Flowing from One Generation to the Next—Through Strong Heart Connections
PA R ENTS PAGE February 8-11, 2012 Temptations and Self-Control—Richard Ross, Ph.D. 1. Heart Surprise (Today a parent goes first): Say: I think about the day you will move to your first home in adulthood. I think one thing I will want to say to you will be . . . 2. Read Scripture: Invite a family member to pray. Ask family members to read Genesis 39:7b-12. Discuss the Truth and Untruths in light of these passages. Truth • God expects believers to run from evil rather than remaining where self-control can be overwhelmed. Untruths • It’s fun to flirt with temptation as long as you bail out at the last second. • You just need to go wherever your feelings may take you. • Religious people miss too much fun because of old ideas about right and wrong. 3. Explore Scripture: Read aloud Genesis 39:7b-12. Explain that Egyptian women were not secluded as women were in other ancient countries. They had freedom to move around both at home and in travel. Say: Ancient Egyptian women also were known for loose morals. Emphasize that when the flirting started, Joseph could have come “closer” to the temptation just for fun. Instead, he tried to move away. Say: When the temptation became strong, Joseph wisely ran away from the evil rather than remaining where his self-control would be severely tested. Even though Joseph was a strong believer, he did not trust his own self-control when it came to staying in the room with a woman. 4. Think It Through: A teenager will lead this step. 5. Nail It Down: Ask: If you walk up on a snake that is lightning fast and poisonous, are you likely to say, “I think I will see how close I can get my ankle to his fangs without getting bitten?” Discuss responses. Say: More than likely, you will run in an effort to save yourself from pain and possibly death. In the same way, Scripture says temptations can bite like a serpent and sting like a viper. If you and I decide to stay close to the temptation and just trust our own self-control, eventually we will be bitten in ways that will hurt us and damage the kingdom of Christ. 6. Pray: A teenager will lead this prayer. 7. Blessing: Say: I bless this family as we watch each other’s backs and help pull each other away from what tempts us. Parent Tip: Talk with your teens about the challenges and temptations they face. Ask them to help you understand the culture they face at school and in other settings where peer pressure may be strongest. Promise to pray for them and let them know that you are always available to help them design a plan to avoid temptation in the future.
Copyright © 2012 LifeWay Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention
PA R ENTS PAGE February 8-11, 2012 Temptations and Self-Control—Richard Ross, Ph.D. 1. Heart Surprise (Today a parent goes first): Say: I think about the day you will move to your first home in adulthood. I think one thing I will want to say to you will be . . . 2. Read Scripture: Invite a family member to pray. Ask family members to read Genesis 39:7b-12. Discuss the Truth and Untruths in light of these passages. Truth • God expects believers to run from evil rather than remaining where self-control can be overwhelmed. Untruths • It’s fun to flirt with temptation as long as you bail out at the last second. • You just need to go wherever your feelings may take you. • Religious people miss too much fun because of old ideas about right and wrong. 3. Explore Scripture: Read aloud Genesis 39:7b-12. Explain that Egyptian women were not secluded as women were in other ancient countries. They had freedom to move around both at home and in travel. Say: Ancient Egyptian women also were known for loose morals. Emphasize that when the flirting started, Joseph could have come “closer” to the temptation just for fun. Instead, he tried to move away. Say: When the temptation became strong, Joseph wisely ran away from the evil rather than remaining where his self-control would be severely tested. Even though Joseph was a strong believer, he did not trust his own self-control when it came to staying in the room with a woman. 4. Think It Through: A teenager will lead this step. 5. Nail It Down: Ask: If you walk up on a snake that is lightning fast and poisonous, are you likely to say, “I think I will see how close I can get my ankle to his fangs without getting bitten?” Discuss responses. Say: More than likely, you will run in an effort to save yourself from pain and possibly death. In the same way, Scripture says temptations can bite like a serpent and sting like a viper. If you and I decide to stay close to the temptation and just trust our own self-control, eventually we will be bitten in ways that will hurt us and damage the kingdom of Christ. 6. Pray: A teenager will lead this prayer. 7. Blessing: Say: I bless this family as we watch each other’s backs and help pull each other away from what tempts us. Parent Tip: Talk with your teens about the challenges and temptations they face. Ask them to help you understand the culture they face at school and in other settings where peer pressure may be strongest. Promise to pray for them and let them know that you are always available to help them design a plan to avoid temptation in the future.
Copyright © 2012 LifeWay Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention
