Teaching Notes are Bible studies we taught before GraceLife Ministries began publishing articles online in 1995. Some were presented as sermons, others as group studies.
Our hope is that these older studies will be a blessing to you in your life and ministry. Please use them in any way God leads you.
This study looks at solving life’s problems from the perspective of God’s Word.
[These notes are from a Bible study taught more than 40 years ago. The notes are in outline form.]
Causes of Problems
A. Outward problem – sinful actions and reactions
B. Outward cause – sinful attitudes
C. Inward problem – sinful desires
D. Inward cause – resisting the will of God
(Surface problem, surface cause, root problem, root cause)
Example
Outward problem – high school boy is a trouble-maker and always in fights
Outward cause – frustrated by father’s apparent lack of interest in anything he does and is rebelling and crying out for his dad’s attention
Inward problem – a floating root of bitterness towards his dad who broke many promises to him and shows more attention to older brother
Inward cause – rejecting the will of God who would have him forgive his father and work towards a restructuring of relationship with his dad
Example
Outward problem – high school girl gets pregnant out of wedlock
Outward cause – lack of discipline in personal life and lack of personal security in feeling genuine love
Inward problem – moral impurity and temporal value system
Inward cause – rejecting the will of God who would have her be pure and wait for God’s timing in finding the right life’s partner
Solutions to Problems
God looks at a person’s life from a different viewpoint than that person. The solution to problems a person faces is found he or she looks at himself/herself and their problems from God’s viewpoint.
The Bible says, “Man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.”
God’s Viewpoint
A. God’s prescription – before you were born, God prescribed exactly what you were to be like (Psalm 139:13-16)
B. God’s project – after you were born again, God continued to “create” you as a special project of His workmanship. (Ephesians. 2:10)
C. God’s purpose – as God continually works in your life, His purpose is to make you Christ-like. (Romans 8:29)
D. God’s plan – ultimately “every knee shall bow and every tongue confess that Christ is Lord,” but until then God’s plan for your life is to do all to His glory. ( Cor. 10:31)
[Thank you for reading these teaching notes from more than 40 years ago. My prayer is they will be a blessing to you, your family and your ministry.]
