These studies use a gospel-centered approach to five of the most relevant issues on campus, confronting the primary idols in the lives of today’s student with the good news of Jesus Christ. Originally designed by Tyler Zach for the Greek Movement, they are relevant to every student.
Overview
God gives us many good gifts. But, these “good” things can become “god” things. This study explores how we use things like alcohol, sex, beauty, and relationships to get approval, power, comfort, and security. Instead of dealing with our behavior at a surface level, this study surfaces the root reasons behind our abuse of God's gifts and why we look to them for fulfillment instead of God himself.
What makes Gifts of God unique?
The Bible study series...
- Affirms the gifts of God (avoids fundamentalism)
- Surfaces idolatry (avoids behavior modification)
- Applies the Gospel (avoids moralism and legalism)
- Gives practical advice (avoids being abstract)
Summary of the Studies
- Relationships: The Pursuit of Fulfillment
Relationships are a gift from God. But, we have sought after ultimate fulfillment in them. The Gospel confronts the way we try to pile the deepest longings of our heart onto one person instead of God himself.
- Alcohol: The Pursuit of Happiness
Alcohol is a gift from God. But, it is often an abused gift. The Gospel confronts both the way we use alcohol to get the happiness that only God can give and the way we use legalistic solutions to fix alcohol abuse.
- Beauty and Appearance: The Pursuit of Acceptance
Beauty is a gift from God. But, it is often a redefined and abused gift. The Gospel confronts both the way we use beauty to get the acceptance that only God can give and the way we use our moral performance to make ourselves beautiful enough for God.
- Sex: The Pursuit of Intimacy and Pleasure
Sex is a gift from God. But, we abuse this gift by redefining its boundaries. The Gospel confronts both the way we pursue sex as life's highest pleasure and the way we reduce sex to either an appetite or procreation.
- Success: The Pursuit of Worthiness
Success is a gift from God. But, we use our work, family, and spiritual achievements to receive praise from God and others. The Gospel confronts the way we try to acquire a sense of worthiness from our successes rather God himself.
- Time: The Pursuit of Productivity
Time is a gift from God. But, we abuse this gift by spending our time chasing our own pursuits rather than God Himself. The Gospel confronts our complaint that we have no time.
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