Should I or Shouldn't I?

In in the current day and time, we are faced with many decisions to participate or not participate in certain situations and/or activities.  Many of these things are not mentioned "specifically" in the Bible (i.e. watching movies, facebooking, smoking, sharing music, eating ice cream, video games, etc.).  So, how do we know what to do and what not to do?  How do we know what is pleasing to God and what is not?  I've compiled the following list of questions to help in these "uncertain situations or activities."  They are not an exhaustive list, but they should help.   You can put anything in the "_____________" and test it.

1. What does God’s Word say about ________________?   (1 Timothy 3:16-17)
2. Is _______________ illegal? (Romans 13:1-2)
3. What do my parents say about _______________? (Ephesians 6:1)
4. Does ______________ enable me love God and others more effectively? (Matthew 22:37-40)
5. Does ______________ bring Glory to God? (1 Corinthians 10:31)
6. Does _____________ increase or decrease the effectiveness of my witness to others? (Acts 1:8)
7. Is _________________ beneficial to others or me? (1 Corinthians 6:12)
8. Is ________________ something Jesus would approve or participate in? (Ephesians 5:1-2)
9. What do other mature Christians say about _______________ ? (Proverbs 12:15)
10. What is God's Spirit saying to you about ________________? (John 16:7-9)

Life Transformation Groups (LTG)

Our speaker this past Thursday (as well as our DC speaker) talked to us about Life Transformation Groups, or LTGs.  These groups consist of 2-3 people who meet together weekly in order to do the following:

1. Discuss Scripture read throughout the previous week.  25-30 chapters of the Bible are to be read throughout the week.
2. Confess sin in mutual accountability.  Take a look at James 5:16.
3. Pray for individuals who do not know Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.

Once a group grows to be 4 or more, then the group splits and multiplies.  A group of 4 would then become a two groups of 2.  These groups can meet at school or after school.

Pray that God will lead you to the right person/s to start an LTG with.  Then, make sure to set a weekly time to meet.  If you do not set a regular weekly meeting time, chances are you will not meet regularly.

I still have some laminated cards if you would like one.  These cards have reminders, instructions, and questions to ask in the LTG meeting times.

For more detailed information, check out the Overview and FAQ links.

Spotlight - Hannah Karunakar

Name: Hannah Karunakar

School: Dubai American Academy

How many years have you lived in Dubai? 10 years!

Random fact about yourself? I carry my iPod around with me, everywhere, everyday. (:

Favorite Bible Verse? One of my favorites is 1 Corinthians 13:10-- But when what is Perfect comes, the things that are not perfect will pass away.

Involvement in 180 Degrees? Being part of the worship team is a great experience and at the same time the singing and strumming is all for Him, which is the best part.

What has God been teaching you lately? How great His power really is, but along with power; His love is just as great.

Spotlight - Johannah

Name: Johannah Teo

School: Raffles Int'l School

Years in Dubai: 4...

Random Fact About Yourself: hmm...i like koi fish. =)

Favorite Bible Verse: i cant really pick one as i have a few...matthew 7:7, psalm 139, psalm 1:3...and many more...

Involvement in 180 Degrees: In worship team..

What God Has God Been Teaching You Lately: Self-control, discipline, perseverance etc. I think that God has told me what i should be doing and also try to be consistent.. Also, on how to listen and help anyone who needs it. =)

Bible Study Questions

1. What do you like best?
2. What do you like least?
3. What do you not understand?
4. What do you learn about God?
5. What do you personally need to do about it?
6. Which phrase/verse do you want to take with you?

The list provided above are Bible Study questions we have used a few times on Friday mornings.  I first discovered these questions when I took the Perspectives course a couple of years ago.  These questions are easy and can be used by anybody.  So often we have this fear about leading Bible Studies.  Sometimes it is good to simply read God's Word together and then discuss it.  If there are things you do not understand, write them down and find the answers later.  

Question 4 is very important.  Every time we read the Bible we should be striving to learn more and more about who God is (remember, the Bible is God's revelation of Himself).  This is not so we can amass huge amounts of knowledge but so we can grow closer to our Heavenly Father and learn how best to serve and love Him. 

The answer to Question 6 gives us a phrase/thought/truth for us to meditate on throughout our day.  So often the particular phrase that God leads us to will be the exact phrase we need later in the day.  For instance, I might read a passage on patience and then be confronted with a situation later in the day that requires me to be patient.  God's Spirit working through the Bible is always preparing us for good works.