Session #2: What is Holding You Back?

I –Review:

·      What is a good choice? How do you know you are making a good choice?

·      How do the choices you make impact your day/your life?

·      There is a connection between being happy and our road to holiness. What do you think of when you think of the word “holy”?

 

II – “What are you doing?”

 

-       How long do you want to be happy for?

o   We are all on the quest for happiness, and this quest can look differently for each of us, but the goal is the same: happiness.

-       When it comes to happiness, the world wants to sell you a poor substitute: pleasure. God wants you to be happy forever, freely (e.g. peaceful conscience, true friendships, family, home)! The world wants you to be a slave to things that only brings temporary pleasure (e.g. cell phone, social media, money).

 

  Temporary                       vs.                 Permanent

Taking a nap	Peace
Your favorite meal	Love
Taking a vacation	Faith
Getting what you want	Getting what you need

 

-       Right Living – is what brings you happiness. What brings you happiness? What brings you misery?

 

    Misery                         vs.                   Happiness

Dishonesty	Honesty
Selfishness	Caring for others
Impatience	Patience

 

 

-       John 8:31-32: “If you remain in my word, you will truly be my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

-       What is that “word”? The Ten Commandments!

 

-       What is Enslaving You? The things we constantly turn to or feel as if we need are the very things that can be holding us back. Can you think of a couple?

 

III – Stinking Thinking

-       Sometimes our thoughts can be the very thing that can hold us back from happiness.

-       The world will try to sell you a path of living – which only leads to loneliness and selfishness.

-       When we forget that we have been made in “God’s image” and start seeing ourselves through the eyes of others, that can make us think of ourselves AND others in not so great ways.

-        “Anything that stands against God and His truth cannot last”

 

IV – Decision Point: Life is choices – do you want to be happy?

 

 

Homework (due on 10/17/21) – Please answer the following questions:

* Read the Gospel according to Luke, chapter 1. Please answer the following questions: 

    - Do you think it was difficult for Mary to hear the Angel's announcement? Why or why not?

    - How much courage did Mary need to say yes to God?

    - How do you think you would react if God asks you to radically change your life?