TO THE LEADER OF THE STUDY (Tap to Expand)
Righteousness is one of the most least pursued qualities of Jesus. To be righteous is to be like Jesus. The goal of this study is to challenge and inspire the teens to seek righteousness with all their hearts (you must be open about your life to facilitate openness in the teenager).
Discussion
Describe “righteousness” in your own words.
- Doing the right thing
- Being obedient to God and parents
- Obeying laws
When is it most challenging to be righteous?
- When you feel peer pressure
- When things are hard
- When you just don’t feel like obeying
- When you don’t understand.
The goal of this study is to help you to biblically define righteousness and to help us see our need to be righteous in every situation no matter what.
The Scriptures
1 JOHN 3:7 (Tap to Expand)
Dear children, do not let anyone lead you astray. The one who does what is right is righteous, just as he is righteous.
What are three qualities found in this verse describing those who are righteous?
- Those who do what is right.
- Those who are not led astray.
- Those who imitate Jesus.
JAMES 2:21-22 (Tap to Expand)
Was not our father Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? 22 You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did.
What made Abraham righteous?
- He offered Isaac.
- He obeyed God.
- He obeyed with faith.
Bottom Line: To be righteous is to do what is right and to obey God’s commands.
MATTHEW 26:38-39 (Tap to Expand)
Then he said to them, “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.â€
39 Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.â€
How was Jesus feeling?
- Overwhelmed, sad or sorrowful, “This is hard,” “I do not want this”
How did Jesus respond to his feelings?
- He was open about them in prayer.
- He was willing to do God’s will.
- He decided to obey God, no matter what.
Bottom Line: We must do what is right even when we do not, feel like obeying God.
ACTS 5:28-29 (Tap to Expand)
“We gave you strict orders not to teach in this name,†he said. “Yet you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and are determined to make us guilty of this man’s blood.â€
29 Peter and the other apostles replied: “We must obey God rather than human beings!
Why were the apostles being persecuted?
- They filled the city with Jesus’ words.
- They made people feel guilty about hurting Jesus.
How did they handle the persecution?
- They were bold.
- They obeyed God no matter what.
- They did what was right or righteous.
Bottom Line: In the face of persecution or peer pressure, we must do what God says.
Personal Heart Check Questions
1. Is righteousness a daily goal in your life?
2. What areas are you most tempted to be unrighteous?
Practical Applications
MATTHEW 6:33 (Tap to Expand)
33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
Start every morning by seeking God first.
- Pray to be righteous.
- Be open about areas of weakness.
- As cliché as it sounds, when unsure of what to do ask “What would Jesus do?”
Write out half a page about what you’ve learned from this study about righteousness; some things you have done or will do differently because of this study; and how this will help you be a disciple someday.
