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Fruit of the Spirit: Self-Control
Author: Jeff Fritsche
The Aim: To consider together the Fruit of the Spirit of Self-Control
Passage: Matthew 4:1-11
Study Questions:
- The definition of Self-Control from the on-line Lexicon is: the virtue of one who masters his desires and passions, esp. his sensual appetites.
- What does the world tell us about self-control? (i.e. dealing with sexual desire? Materialistic desire? etc.).
- Read 1 Corinthians 9:19-27
- Why do you think Paul uses a race analogy here for the Christian life? How does an athlete exercise self-control? How is this similar to a Christian?
- What should be our motivation for running the race (don’t miss v. 25)?
- Read verse 27 and verse 19? What is the freedom we have? Why enslave ourselves?
- What are the benefits of self-control from these verses: Eph 6:12,1 Tim 6:12, 2 Tim 4:7-8, James 1:12, Rev 3:11
- How did Jesus model this kind of race for us?
- What do you need self-control in right now?
Optional Leaders’ Helps:
Self-control for God’s person does not imply that with severe self-discipline I can control my conduct…self-control for the Christian means that my “self”, my whole person, my whole being, body, soul, spirit comes under the control of Christ. It means that I am an individual governed by God. My entire life, every aspect of it – has become subject to the sovereignty of God’s Spirit. I am a “man under authority.” The running of my affairs, my attitudes, my actions is a right which has been relinquished and turned over to God’s gracious Spirit…It is His privilege to produce what He will in the way He desires without hindrance…(Keller, Phillip, A Gardener Looks at the Fruit of the Spirit, p. 177-78).
Other Passages: 2 Peter 1:2-11 – What is the significance of Peter’s list here?
Read these words of Jesus and record your observations (especially concerning His relationship with God, the Father):
John 5:18-20
John 6:38-40
John 8:28-30
John 10:14-18
John 10: 24-30
John 12:49-50
What does living under authority and self-control have to do with one another?
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