THOUGHT: Practical Atheist 01 Followup

Objective:
To develop our fear and awe of God so we will be able to serve Him wholeheartedly.
• Describe one of your biggest fears in life. How has that fear shaped your life and your actions?
• In what ways, can fear sometimes be a good thing in our lives?

But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers
of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their
parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control,
brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of
pleasure rather than lovers of God- having a form of godliness but denying its
power…

2 Timothy 3:1-5 (NIV)

• A practical atheist is someone who believes in God but lives as if He does not exist. In what area of your life are you a practical atheist? Give specific examples.
• Do you see any of the qualities mentioned in 2 Timothy 3:1-5 in your own daily life?

Sin whispers to the wicked, deep within their hearts. They have no fear of God to restrain them. In their blind conceit, they cannot see how wicked they really are.
Psalms 36:1-2 (NLT)

If you love me, you will obey what I command.
John 14:15 (NIV)

• The greatest evidence of the fear of God is obedience to God. What are some specific areas in your life where you struggle with obedience to God’s direction? How would a fear and awe of God make it easier to follow Him in these areas?

Final thought:
As a group and individually pray this week for God to instill a desire in you to serve Him wholeheartedly without any conditions.

For Further Study
To use this resource, simply select one or two questions from each category below that you think will help your group discussion. Alternatively, you can use these questions and Scriptures in your own personal devotions during the week.

Open
During your childhood or teenage years, describe the most disobedient thing you ever
did? How did your parents react?

Explore
Read Ecclesiastes 12: 9-14. Solomon concludes the book of Ecclesiastes in this passage by saving his most important piece of wisdom for his final thought. (12:13-14)
How did Solomon conclude this book? (12:9-14)
What did the Teacher do with his knowledge? (12:9)
For what did the Teacher search? (12:10)
How did Solomon describe what the Teacher wrote? (12:10)
How did Solomon describe the words of the wise? (12:11)
What did Solomon say about books and study? (12:12)
What is a person’s whole duty? (12:13)
Why did Solomon tell his reader to fear God and keep His commandments? (12:14)

Reflect
With what mood would you say Solomon concluded this book?
What is the relationship between fearing God and keeping his commandments?
How we can benefit from the wisdom of other Christians?
In what ways can you be a teacher or adviser to at least one other Christian?

Apply
What specific areas of your life are you struggling to obey God’s commandments?
Who do you need to seek out for the wisdom they could provide in helping you with your
areas of struggle?

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