1. Describe the two PATHS discussed in Deuteronomy 30:19-20, Matthew 7:13-14. (On a separate sheet of paper draw the two paths and show where each path leads)
2. What life decisions must you make to stay on the PATH of Life?
- My Priorities: Matthew 6:33, Psalm 25:14
- My Body: Romans 12:1, John 12:24-26
- My Mind: Romans 12:2
- My Will and Choices: 1 Thessalonians 5:22, Galatians 5:24, Galatians 6:7-8
- My Tongue: Proverbs 18:21, Proverbs 12:6, James 3:1-12
3. Who is trying to lure you off of the PATH and why? John 10:9-11, 1 Peter 5:8
4. How do you fight to stay on the PATH? Ephesians 6:12-18, Revelation 12:11, Genesis 1:26, Matthew 28:18-20
Paths of Righteousness
So you will walk in the way of good men [that is, those of personal integrity, moral courage and honorable character], And keep to the paths of the righteous(obedience). Proverbs 2:20 (Amplified)
You are to walk in the ways of good men, not their paths. The Lord has planned out a perfect path for you and just for you. If the Lord tells your pastor to eat oranges and broccoli for breakfast, it doesn’t mean you should too. You can walk in their ways such as obedience to the Word, character, humility, joy, integrity, etc, but even then do not follow after them. Follow after the Word and the leading of His Spirit for your life, Psalm 119:105, Romans 8:14. As you are seeking the Lord, your character will line up with other Godly men and women. Romans 5:5 says the love of God has been poured out into our hearts by the Holy Spirit. We are all filled with the same love of God. If we are renewing our mind daily through the Word according to Romans 12:2, our character and morals will change also. This is why the verse above says walk in the WAY of good men. There is only one way to walk, and that is in humility, integrity, love, respect, not seeking your own desires, but the desires God has for you, etc… Psalm 25:14, Galatians 5:24, Matthew 23:12, John 12:24.
You will not find your path of righteousness/obedience from any sermon, teaching, or person’s life. You will only find it as you spend time in the Word with your Heavenly Father. Psalm 32:8 says, “I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will guide you with My eye.” Your path of obedience may entail working at a job driving a certain type of car, both of which the world may call non-prestigious. While another person’s path may have them working at a job and driving a car that the world calls prestigious. Does that mean that one’s path is more important? NO! It means that the Father has a master plan and that He uses every individual accordingly. This is no different than all of your body parts having a different function; is the hand more important than the foot, the ear than the eye, etc…, 1 Corinthians 12:18-27. None of God’s children are more important than the other. The Father needs all of His children doing what He has called them to do. We all have a role in the Kingdom. God has a unique path just for you. Humble yourself before God and be willing to obey whatever He shows you is your path of righteousness (Psalm 25:9).
Matthew 6:33 – But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.
Psalm 25:14 – The secret of the Lord is with those who fear Him, and He will show them His covenant.
Bonus: Deuteronomy 30:19-20 – 19 I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live; 20 that you may love the Lord your God, that you may obey His voice, and that you may cling to Him, for He is your life and the length of your days; and that you may dwell in the land which the Lord swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, to give them.