REALLIFE STUDY GROUP

“From Zero To Hero”

Part 2 - Character

ICEBREAKER: Popeye ate spinach for strength. What is your favorite pep food or drink when you are feeling low on energy? (In other words when you stop at the gas station or McDonalds’ what do you find yourself reaching for?)

DEFINITIONS: Character: 1. The sum total of a person’s behavioral traits, history, & reputation in community.

2. The combination of qualities or features that distinguishes a person, group or thing.

3. A distinctive mark or characteristic

4. Moral strength, excellence, or fortitude

Origin of the word “character” meaning to write, print, engrave, or inscribe

OUTLINE: 8 Character Traits We Must Write On Our Heart

1. Faith: Complete Trust

2. Virtue: Moral Excellence

3. Knowledge: Experiential Spiritual Understanding

4. Self-Control: Discipline

5. Perseverance: Passionate Patience

6. Godliness: Reverent wonder

7. Brotherly Kindness: Warm Friendliness

8. Love: Sacrificial Generosity

TEXT: 2 Peter 1:2-9, Proverbs 3:3, 7:3, Jeremiah 17:1

STUDY GROUP QUESTIONS:

1. Name one quality that you would expect to see in a great hero or leader. Name a Bible character that exhibited that quality.

2. The Bible tells us to write God’s Word on our heart because your character good or bad is developed first in the heart. What promise from God or Bible verse are you most holding on to right now?

3. Of the list of character traits described in the outline, which one do you find yourself needing to work on the most right now? Explain.

4. David in the Bible was one of those guys that went from zero to hero. What about David do you think most touched the heart of God

a. He never gave up

b. He took huge faith risks

c. He worshiped in the best and the worst of times

d. He repented when he failed

e. He fought like a crazy man

f. He wrote great songs

g. He loved people and wept over them even when they hated him

h. ____________________________________________

5. It has been said that your ideal is what you hope to be; your reputation is what people think you are; and your character is what you really are. What do you want people to say about you when you aren’t around?

6. God sent an angel to Gideon to tell him he was a mighty (heroic) man of valor. If God sent an angel to prepare you for one really big heroic act what would He have to say to you to get you to believe in yourself?

a. You’re not going to do this by yourself, I’ll be with you

b. Don’t worry about your family, education, or ability

c. Don’t limit your self because of your past, I believe in you

d. Just chill out I have been preparing you your whole life for this

e. ______________________________________________

7. What is the most important thing you are doing with your life right now?