Message: YOUR PATH... Creating the Story you Want to Tell
Week of June 7, 2009

Thematic Focus
Finding the right path requires managing the emotions involved with decision-making.

Main Points
The context in which we make decisions is never emotionally neutral. When we are emotionally charged:

1. We are easily influenced by what is considered conventional wisdom.
2. We buy into the norms of our culture.
3. We conform to what everyone else is doing.
4. Or, we simply follow old and familiar patterns of behavior.

Questions that will help you create the story you want to tell:

1. Does this violate God's law?
2. Does this violate a principle?
3. Is this the wise thing to do?

Summary Points
The will of God is never accomplished by breaking His laws, violating His principles or by ignoring His wisdom.

Scriptural Lens:
· 1 Samuel 24:1-22

Pursuing clarity
Use the following structure to guide your discussion:

Opening Prayer
Take a moment to recognize Christ’s presence with you.

Opening Reflection
How would you describe "happiness?" Identify some people who have chosen to do unwise things when they aloud their pursuit of happiness to cloud their better judgment.

Scriptural Focus
Take time to read the suggested Scriptures.

Group Discussion
Use these questions to reflect further:

1. Considering the story of David. How did the law of God argue against taking Saul's life? How did the principles of God argue against taking Saul's life? How did the wisdom of God argue against taking Saul's life?
2. Why are decision-making environments never emotionally neutral? How might understanding this help?
3. How does one's perspective change when you are emotionally charged?
4. Describe an emotionally charged decision-making situation that you recently faced.
5. Describe a time when incredible pressure changed the decision you had to make.
6. At the end of your life what stories do you desire to tell, or have told about you?
7. Are you on that path?