Decision Making and the Will of God

Self guided study assignment for people facing major decisions

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What does the Bible say about our decisions? Does God have a plan for your life that resembles
something like a script in a theatrical production? Or has God allowed people the freedom to make
choices within the framework of his revelation? In other words, did God pave the road, paint the lane
markers and post the road signs but leave us free to choose how fast we will drive or where we want
to go?

Principle # 1 Life is like a game of baseball. Notes:

If you’ve ever seen a baseball game you’ve noticed that the field is always
referred to as a diamond. This is because the distances between the bases is
dictated by the official rules of baseball. So is the height of the mound, the
number of players on the field and whether a ball is ‘in play’ or a ‘foul’ ball. All
of the rules that govern baseball are unchangeable. And yet when two teams
take the field no one knows who will win. No one knows who will prove to be
the most valuable player or make the most spectacular plays. You see despite
the rigid rules of baseball, it is these rules that create the environment where
individual players making split moment decisions can rise to the apex of victory
or slump in defeat. Rules provide the framework for the game to be played,
without them there would be no game.
Reality as defined by the Bible is comparable to this baseball illustration.
God has provided the ‘rules’ by which to ‘play’ the game of life. If you
understand the rules you will understand how to play life well. Life it can be
said is nothing more than the sum total of all the decisions and choices you have
made in life. These following verse will provide you with an introduction to the
rule book so you can begin learning how to make better plays when it comes to
decision making.

A. Seek First His Kingdom…. (Matt. 6:33)

Read Matthew 6:24-25
In your words what is Jesus trying to teach you in these
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B. Delight Yourself in the Lord … (Psalm 37:4)
Explain the relationship between delighting in the Lord and
your personal desires? Can God grant you the desires of your
heart right now? Why or why not?
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C. Profitable for LIFE and Godliness….(2 Peter 1:3)

Most people tend to think of the Bible as a ‘religious’ book
that contains little or no teaching on how to live life today?
Do you agree or disagree with this statement? If the Bible is
relevant today, can you explain how?
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D. Be diligent to present yourself approved to God. (2 Timothy 2:15)

What does it mean to not be ‘ashamed’? What does it mean to
‘handle accurately the Word of truth?
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SUMMARY: In order to make Biblically wise decisions one must obviously be ‘born again’
unto life in Jesus Christ. The natural heart is dead and does not comprehend the things of
God. A believer, according to the Bible now lives of the agenda that Jesus has set. Your are
to delight in the Lord by reading the Bible with an aim towards understanding how its
principles can be lived out in your life. As you learn to ‘play’ life according to God’s ‘rules’
the stage is set for an amazing and varied experience. Jesus said of himself, “I came so that
you could have life and life more abundantly (John 10:10 my paraphrase).”
Principle # 2 You’ve Got to Have the Right Equipment to Play the Game

Now that you understand the basic rules for the game, we’ll turn next to
understanding the right equipment you need to perform well. The equipment
we are talking about here are some practical principles you need to understand
to make Biblically informed decisions. Knowing the rules of baseball doesn’t
mean you’ll be a star athlete. Likewise a star athlete without the proper
equipment, say a baseball bat for instance, cannot perform at his peak. When it
comes to making decisions, the next 6 points will help you perform at your
peak.

A. Talk to God….Prayer and Essential (Proverbs 16:1)

Read this passage and then answer the following
In your words, explain the meaning of this passage. Why is it
important to pray to God?
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Do you trust God? Why?

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B. Define the Decision

Is the decision a moral one (like whom to marry) or a practical one
(which car to buy or school to attend)? It is typically easier to discern
the will of God in moral areas because most of the time you can find
explicit direction in God's Word (for example: Do not be unequally
yoke 2 Cor. 6:14). If God has already revealed his will in Scripture,
your only response is to obey.
Non-moral decisions can be more difficult to make because of the
lack of explicit instruction. These kinds of decisions must still be
guided by the Scripture and the principles found there. Often the will
of God is simply that a person make a decision after wrestling with
the options in light of Gods Word!

Is the decision you need to make a moral decision or a non-moral

decision? How did you decide?
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C. Prepare Your Heart to Accept Any Outcome (Proverbs 3:5-6)
A key understanding Christians have to keep in mind is that we are
called to pursue Jesus’ agenda. When seeking God’s wisdom about the
decisions you need to make you must be willing to accept any option the
Lord responds with. Remember if you delight yourself in the Lord He
will give you the desires of your heart (Psalm 37:4)

Are you willing an ready to accept any outcome the Lord has
prepared? Why?
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D. Obtain Counsel
Proverbs 15:22 says “Without counsel plans fail, but with many
counselors they succeed”
Who are trusted sources of counsel in your life?
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Can non Christians be a source of Biblical counsel?

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E. Do Your Homework / Weight Your Decision

A pro’s and con’s list is a very helpful tool for you to evaluate your
thinking. After making a list of the benefits or consequences of a
decision think through what verses speak directly or indirectly to the
items on your list. Important questions to ask yourself are:
• Is God in what you are about to decide?
• Will this decision draw you closer to God or place impediments in
your walk with Him?
• How will your decision impact your Christian testimony and the
witness you have with the World?
• Are your priorities Biblical?

F. Act in Faith (Hebrews 10:38)

After defining the choices before you, praying to God for guidance, seeking
Godly counsel and doing your homework, it is time to act! Whatever is not
of faith is sin and a clear conscience is to be pursued. Therefore when you
decide to decide ask yourself if the choice you are about to make is being
done in faith or sinful pragmatism. Is the choice you are about to make
going to result in a quiet conscience or an accusing conscience?
Principle # 3 Play Ball!
Now that you have an outline of the rules for the ‘game’ of decision making
and understanding of the basic equipment God has provided, we’ll turn
next to understanding how to study your motivations and prepare your
heart for action. These next 6 questions are general principles that can be
used to probe your own heart and motivations

A. Is my Primary Desire to Please and Glorify God? Or Self?

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B. Do I Have Any Sinful Desires Involved? If Yes, can you specifically

identify any sinful desires?
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C. Do You Recognize that God is Sovereigntly in Control?

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D. Will the Decision You Make Cause Another Christian to Stumble in

Their Walk with the Lord?
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E. Will Your Conscience be Pure and at Peace?

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F. Can I Honor God with the Action my Decision Will Require?

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Pro’s and Con’s Worksheet

Pro’s Con’s