Making decisions rightly
When we think of ethical issues, we tend to think of big topics such as euthanasia or abortion. But Christian ethics is concerned with more than whether something is right or wrong. Besides which, there are many issues the Bible does not address directly. What is to be expected of us as Christians then? More importantly, how do we know we are doing the right thing in the hundreds of decisions we have to make everyday?
1. What is your decision-making process when it comes to:
Picking something to watch on Netflix
Describing a used item you’re selling on Gumtree
Finding a potential partner
2. What have been some issues in which you’ve taken an opposing position to others in your course at uni?
Read Ephesians 4:17-32
17 Now this I say and testify in the Lord, that you must no longer walk as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their minds. 18 They are darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, due to their hardness of heart. 19 They have become callous and have given themselves up to sensuality, greedy to practice every kind of impurity. 20 But that is not the way you learned Christ!— 21 assuming that you have heard about him and were taught in him, as the truth is in Jesus, 22 to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, 23 and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, 24 and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.
25 Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another. 26 Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, 27 and give no opportunity to the devil. 28 Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need. 29 Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. 32 Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.
3. In what way is v.17-19 an accurate description of people on campus? Would you be comfortable texting it to your classmates?
4. What is the motivation given in the passage for how Christians are to live?
5. Revisit question 1. How could you incorporate Eph. 4:17-32 into your decision-making process?
5. The Bible is clear on disallowing certain actions and behaviors. But is permissibility a good criterion in ethical decisions?
If yes, in what way?
If no, what other criteria are there?
7. Can you think of an example where Jesus struggles with a decision? What lesson can we learn from it?
8. Look again at v.25-32. Which of these do you see as most applicable for Christians on campus today?
Spend time praying for each other.
Further reading:
Steven West, Christian Ethics, TGC