"Integrity" is not a very common word these days. How would you define it to someone? Do you think it is an important character trait? Why or why not? Think of a time you had the option of acting with integrity or not acting with integrity. The times when no one is watching are sometimes the most tempting times to fall into sin, yet God makes it clear through His Word that He wants us to trust Him no matter what.
INTEGRITY: Following God inside, outside, and everywhere!
MEMORY VERSE: “People with integrity walk safely, but those who follow crooked paths will slip and fall.” PROVERBS 10:9 (NLT)
This Week’s Finish Line: Integrity Begins with Trusting that God's Way is Perfect
After Israel conquered and settled into the Promised Land, they were led by a series of judges. One of these judges was Gideon and God chose him to lead the Israelite army to defeat the Midianites. Gideon started out with only 32,000 men to go up against 135,000 Midianites. If this battle didn’t sound lopsided enough, God had a plan to show Israel that He was bigger than any enemy they may face. Gideon had to choose to rely on his own strength or to live with integrity and trust God, believing that His way is perfect.
Family Questions:
- What promise did God make to Gideon several times throughout this story?
- What did God tell Gideon to do that may have seemed a bit crazy? How did God show His power through Gideon and the Israelite army?
- Brainstorm some times coming up this week when you might need to decide whether to follow God’s way or you own way. How could you show integrity in those situations?
- Talk about times when you chose to follow God’s way even though it seemed crazy at the time. What happened?
Bring it Home Conversations & Activities:
* Check out our vision for parents and how to use these activities each week.
Teacher: Defining Integrity
While eating dinner see if as a family you are able to come up with a good definition of INTEGRITY. As answers and thoughts come in you can help your kids really learn what integrity is and isn’t. Then along with knowing what integrity is you can discuss how you can live by having integrity in your everyday lives. (Give real life examples where you have made the choice to walk in integrity.)
Friend: Living Out Integrity
This could be hard, but do whatever you need to do every morning to get the kids ready for school in time so that when you are driving you will never have to break the speed limit. As you are driving ask them to keep you accountable to living out integrity in real time as you keep the law of speed limits.
Counselor: Where is Integrity Hard?
During bedtime ask your kids how you can help them live with integrity. Can I brush my teeth with you so that you aren’t tempted to say you did, but not actually do it? Then ask them what things present the hardest temptation to not choose integrity. What can I/you do to see those temptations coming and fight them?
Coach: Practicing Integrity
Remember the things your children told you that make it hard for them to live with integrity. Spend some time during the week to pray with them for strength and grace to live with integrity. Ask them at the end of the day how they did, and tell them how you did. Praise them for the moments they chose integrity and talk through the moments you both did not choose integrity.
Prayer
Thank God for replacing your heart of stone with a new heart & spirit. Ask Him to help you rely on the Holy Spirit when tempted to not follow Him inside, outside & everywhere so you can be a person of integrity.
Looking Ahead
Next week we will continue looking at the character trait of INTEGRITY. We will learn about this trait by reading in the Gospels about the Pharisee's actions compared to their hearts.
Also coming up will be our Pumpkin Gospel event! Click here to see details of the event for Dallas and Plano!
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