The 7 Traits of Highly Effective Christians, Part 2 25 Apr 20

7 Habits of Highly Effective People: Quadrants Image

2 Facts about the parable of the fig tree:

1. Bearing fruit is really important to God
2. God is merciful when we blow it… but there’s a deadline

Supplement your faith with a generous portion of:

1. Moral Excellence
2. Knowledge
3. Self Control
4. Patient Endurance
5. Godliness
6. Brotherly Kindness
7. Love

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2 Peter 1:8
The more you grow like this, the more productive and useful you will be in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

2 Peter 1:5-7
In view of all this, make every effort to respond to God’s promises. Supplement your faith with a generous provision of moral excellence, and moral excellence with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with patient endurance, and patient endurance with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love for everyone.

James 1:2-4
Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.

2 Peter 1:10-11
So, dear brothers and sisters, work hard to prove that you really are among those God has called and chosen. Do these things, and you will never fall away. Then God will give you a grand entrance into the eternal Kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Start talking. Find a conversation starter for your group.

• Have you ever planted something and it never grew or flowered, no matter what you did? What did you end up doing with this plant or tree, etc.?

Start thinking. Ask a question to get your group thinking.

• Troy talked about the 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey and the four quadrants of prioritizing our lives. Think of the priorities in your life. Are they in the correct balance? On what things do you focus most of your attention? Are they the most important things in your life? Do you need to make some changes?
• Jesus told a parable to His disciples. It was about a man who planted a fig tree in his garden and took care of it and waited year after year for it to bear fruit, but never did. Finally, this man told his gardener to cut it down, it is just taking up space. The gardener said, “let’s give it one more year, and then if it doesn’t bear fruit, I’ll cut it down.” Has there been a time, past or present, when you were unfruitful and didn’t use the gifts God gave you? Share what happened.
• Read 2 Peter 1:8. Troy said that even though God is merciful when we blow it and don’t use our gifts, God has a deadline. How does this make you want to respond?

Start sharing. Choose a question to create openness.

• We’ve been discussing each of the 7 Traits of Highly Effective Christians individually. (Moral excellence, Knowledge, Self-control, Patient endurance, Godliness, Brotherly Kindness, and Love) Troy said last week that while they are individual traits, they are also cumulative. How do these build on each other and how can you see that being worked out in your life?
• Discuss the last 4 traits that Troy talked about this week (Patient endurance, Godliness, Brotherly Kindness, and Love). Which one of these 4 traits is the most challenging for you personally? What steps do you think you need to take to work on that step?
• Read 2 Peter 1:9. What happens to your life when one of these 7 traits is weak or lacking? Do you need to make any changes to get things back in balance? What is the difference between self-control and patient endurance? Which is more difficult for you? What changes can you make that may make it easier?
• Troy concluded his message by challenging us to finish well. Many people are great starters but struggle finishing. Read 2 Peter 1:10-11, why is finishing well so important?

Start doing. Commit to a step and live it out this week.

• Commit to prayer about which traits need work in your own life. After you have pinpointed the ones that are your weaker traits, plan the steps you will take to strengthen them. 

Start praying. Be bold and pray with power.

• Father, thank you for Your Word and how it challenges us to live our lives in right standing with You. Help us to be willing to work on the things that You are convicting us about and help us to finish well. In your name, we pray. Amen.

Start digging. For further study.

• Read the article, “What is the meaning of the Parable of the Fig Tree?” in Got Questions.

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