Dress for Spiritual Success
August 12th, 2008This is a small group lesson based on 1 Timothy 2:8-10 and 1 Peter 3:3-5. The basic concepts include the idea of modesty in appearance and the spiritual applications of being clothed in the spiritual qualities of Jesus and his Spirit.
Open
***Please share your ideas about the following:
Think about a recent commercials or advertisements. Which was:
- Most appealing to you?
- The worst or most obnoxious to you?
- The most outrageous to you?
- Normal to you?
What do you think our culture is communicating by the things we advertise? By the contents (clothing used; products displayed; etc.) of the advertisements?
***Leaders - to enhance this exercise, you may want to have newspaper or magazine ads available for your group to look through.
Study
Please read 1 Timothy 2:8-10 and 1 Peter 3:3-5 and discuss the following:
- What do you think is the relationship of the “holy hands” and prayers?
- How do you think outward appearances match inward characteristics (see also Mark 7:20-23)?
- Why do you think God does not give us a “uniform” as some religious groups have but gives us leeway in how we dress ourselves?
- Where does “culture” end and God’s will begin?
- Why is it so important that we display spiritual qualities as though we are “wearing” them (see Colossians 3:12-14)?
Apply
- What helps you keep the value of people in perspective? How do you KNOW that the man in fine attire is no more valuable to God than the man in “regular” clothes? How does this impact your treatment of them?
- How can you keep from judging others by appearances?
- What can you do to clothe yourself with Christ and his qualities? What kind of impact will that have on those around you?
