Bible Class notes for Fall 1996 and Spring 1997- Lessons from
Written in Stone - Ethics for the Heart
by Rubel Shelly
Introduction
Chapter 1. Ethics grounded in reverence
...there was thunder and lightning, with a thick cloud over the mountain....Everyone in the camp trembled Ex 19.16
Chapter 2. The inseparable bond of law to grace
I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery Ex20:2
Chapter 3. God as center and circumference
You shall have no other gods before me Ex 20:3
Chapter 4. From the sublime to the trivial
You shall not make for yourself an idol... Ex 20:4
Chapter 5. There's something about that name
You shall not misuse the name of the LORD your God Ex 20:7
Chapter 6. My time is His time
"Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy." Ex20.8
Chapter 7. God among the generations
"Honor your father and your mother ... " Exodus 20.12
Chapter 8. The value of human life
"You shall not murder." Ex 20.13
Chapter 9. Keeping marriage intact
"You shall not commit adultery." Ex 20.14
Chapter 10. Taking what belongs to another
"You shall not steal." Ex 20.15
Chapter 11. The Pinocchio Syndrome
"You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor." Ex 20.16
Chapter 12. The Envy Trap
"You shall not covet ...." Ex 20.17
Chapter 13. The Issue is Character
"Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people." Pr 14:34
INTRODUCTION.
Some Christians think that salvation by grace means exemption from divine law
Taking God's Law seriously
Law vs love OR Law and love
Divine commandments - the only safe guidelines for love
Law needs love as its driving force
Love needs law as its eyes
Permissiveness of modern culture is an offense against love, rather than an authentic
application of it.
WRITTEN IN STONE - ETHICS FOR THE HEART
by Rubel Shelly
CHAPTER 1. ETHICS GROUNDED IN REVERENCE
Relationship of God's person to His Law
A. Crisis of ethics
60's anti-establishment
70's self-absorbed The decade of ME
80's greed
90's crisis of ethics
Crime is prevalent
B. We did it to ourselves
1. Lost sensitivity
2. Gave up our voice
C. The nature of morality
1. Begins with God and His nature
2. Legalism (simplistic following of rules) vs antinomianism (situation ethics, ignore rules)
3. The nature of Deity defines morality
4. Relevance of scripture
5. God in us
D. The O.T. reveals an eternal moral code
E. Decalogue is starting point for serious study of ethics
QUESTIONS
1. Recall situations when you should have spoken out against wrong.
2. What is the Christian's role in public life? Should religion remain strictly private, or
does it have implications for the public arena?
3. What is your personal morality based upon -- the nature of God or something else?
4. What Biblical story most clearly reveals God's holy nature to you?
5. If legalism is a 1 and antinomianism is a 10, where are you in that range today? 5 years
ago? In 10 years?
6. How do you resolve ethical questions about genetic engineering, euthanasia, in vitro
fertilization, etc. that the Bible does not directly speak about?
7. How do we determine which laws of Scripture are culturally specific?
8. Are you conscious of God's Spirit having helped you develop purity of heart?
9. Do you understand ethics as a way of seeing or acting?
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WRITTEN IN STONE - ETHICS FOR THE HEART
by Rubel Shelly
CHAPTER 2. THE INSEPARABLE BOND OF LAW TO GRACE
Grace as the Background for Divine Law
"I am the Yahweh your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out the land of slavery."
Ex 20.2
A. Deliverance always precedes obedience
1. Israel's deliverance came before the Divine Law
2. Gospel grace came before our good deeds
B. Two extremes
1. Legalism - belief that salvation is based on our keeping the law
2. Universalism - belief that all are saved because of God's gracious nature
C. Trusting obedience
1. Example of Abraham - Ja 2.20-24 Heb 11.8-10
2. History of Israel
D. What difference does it make?
1. Teaching obedience before deliverance produces failure
2. Understanding deliverance produces obedience
3. Grace does not exclude obligation
E. How to use the Decalogue
1. They reflect divine ideals for human behavior
2. They mark the trouble spots of life
3. They can bring us to Christ for salvation - Gal 3.24
QUESTIONS
1. Have you ever tried using law to get into relationship with God? How? What was the
result?
2. Are you more inclined to be a legalist or a universalist? Why? Which is the worse
error? Why?
3. Has God ever called you to "leave Ur"? If so, how did you respond? How did God
respond? Reflect on some specific ways God has asked you to demonstrate your faith.
4. Under what circumstances does obedience to the divine will produce peace and joy?
Have you ever tried to share this insight with someone else? What was the person's
response?
5. What keeps us from presenting the gospel as a gift? Why do we tend to include so many
hurdles?
6. Have you ever used grace as an excuse to refuse obedience to God? What was the
result?
7. Why does legalism inevitably lead to disobedience and failure? Is this true for every area
of life (e.g., marriage, child-rearing, work) or only in one's relationship with God?
8. Do you have trouble reflecting God's love for those you know who break his
commandments?
9. Have you ever "hit a rock" in your life where God has put up a marker? What were the
consequences for you and others?
10. Has law helped bring you to Christ?
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WRITTEN IN STONE - ETHICS FOR THE HEART
by Rubel Shelly
CHAPTER 3. GOD AS CENTER AND CIRCUMFERENCE
You shall have no other gods before me. Ex 20.3
Head of the list & prerequisite view for other nine
Biblical religion - exclusive. God alone is divine & claims right to be our center &
circumference
Center - focus heart, soul, mind, strength Deut 6.4-5
Circumference - adopt lifestyle of dedicated disciple, to know, affirm, live within God's will
Jesus: I am the way, the truth, and the life. Jn 14.6
I. Pagan view of Deity Babylonian, Egyptian, Greek, etc.
A. no real distinctions between rocks, animals, people, or even God
B. All are divine
C. Self-fulfillment is ultimate good for us
D. Each person's view of truth is as good as others
E. All religions are one
II. God's right to reign
No room for view that all religions are equally true
Only one true God - Must be first in our priorities
Reasons for God's demand of exclusive allegiance:
A. Divine identity
YHWH (Yahweh) Ex 3.13-15 I AM Jesus - Jn 8.58
B. Divine activity He redeems, delivers, and saves
God does for us what we are totally unable to do for ourselves
III. What is required of us?
Discipleship - real, meaningful - not just baptism, church membership, etc but
following Jesus' example of unreserved commitment to the kingdom & surrender of
lives to righteousness
becoming more Christlike in everything
QUESTIONS
1. How do you attempt to make God in your own image?
2. How do you approach the subject of your faith with unbelievers?
3. Does your faith "overflow in everything you do"?
4. Have your encountered any New Age ideas this week? How do you react to
reincarnation, magical powers, etc.?
5. On what ground do you accept Jesus' claim to be the only way to God?
6. How do you balance tolerance & love for people of other religions with the need to share
God's truth & love?
7. Do you try to put God around the edges of your life?
8. Are there certain areas in your life you aer more or less likely to involve God in?
9. What has God done in your life that reminds you that he deserves your complete loyalty
and obedience?
10. How does your relationship to God affect your finances? Career? Family? Friends?
Church?
11. What matters more to you than anything else?
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WRITTEN IN STONE - ETHICS FOR THE HEART
by Rubel Shelly
CHAPTER 4. FROM THE SUBLIME TO THE TRIVIAL
"You shall not make for yourself an idol ... You shall not bow down to them or worship
them." Ex 20.4-5a
Throughout history, religion has tended to go downhill.
I. Idolatry reduces God to the definable
A. Israel reduced God to an idol
Moses, Aaron, & people Ex 32.1-4 The people wanting some tangible
representation of God
B. How religion reduces God
1. Tangible image
2. Set of doctrines
3. Parochial deity of a certain denomination
C. Sacred objects and symbols
superstitious use vs reminder of a truth
calf, ark 1Sam 4:3, brass serpent 2Kng18.4, cross
D. Churches, creeds, and rules
worship of theology, sects, or leaders
legalism is itself a form of idolatry
Sets of rules: ... ... ... ... ... (P.60)
the "right" view on issues
Don't confuse commitment to theological perspectives with devotion to God.
Rom 14.17-18
II. Idolatry destroys morality
A. Rom 1.21-25
B. When religion slides from the sublime to the trivial, the first thing to go is moral
restraint
Ex 32.6
Sex in pagan religions
3 gods of today: money, sex, and power
III. Idolatry provokes God's jealousy
God's jealousy (single-minded devotion to us) is his consuming pursuit of our good
Ex 34.14 Zech 1.14-15 2 Cor 11.2a
QUESTIONS
1. Do you try to put God into a neat package you can define and manage?
2. What was at the root of the Israelites' insecurity while Moses was on the mountain? Do
you struggle with insecurity?
3. How do you try to limit and control God? What boundaries have you put on him?
4. How likely are you to make an idol out the cross? Out of a religious practice? A leader?
5. Have you ever confused love for your particular church with love for God?
6. How can you know when something becomes an idol in your life?
7. Identify some areas of your life in which you "strain out the gnat and swallow the camel"
8. How do you react to the idea of God's jealousy for you?
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WRITTEN IN STONE - ETHICS FOR THE HEART
by Rubel Shelly
CHAPTER 5. THERE'S SOMETHING ABOUT THAT NAME
"You shall not misuse the name of the LORD your God" Ex 20.7
Jesus taught "Hallowed be your name" Mth 6.9
Reverence for the name of God does not preclude pronouncing the tetragrammaton YHWH or require a
special set of pronouns in prayer.
I. What's in a name? - In ancient times names had meaning: Cain (possession Gen 4.1), Moses (draw
out Ex 2.10), Isaiah (may Yahweh save!), Daniel (God is my judge), Timothy (God-fearer), Abram(exalted
father), Abraham (father of many nations), Barnabas (Act 4.36)
A. God's Name reveals his essence
The name of God stands for the person he has revealed himself to be. -- not just a title, nor a word
to be called by
B. Jesus shares God's name
God, first know by titles and later by name, was ultimately and finally revealed in the person and
work of Jesus (Immanuel Mth 1.23)
...in the name of God's one and only Son Jn 3.18, 1Jn 3.23
baptism in name of the Holy Trinity (Mth28.19) and of Jesus Christ (Acts 2.38)
at the name of Jesus every knee will bow (Phil 2.9-11)
The divine name is a theological shorthand for all that is known of God and his deeds, how he has
revealed himself to us, and how we are enabled to share his fellowship.
II. Abusing The Holy Name
To "misuse" the divine name is literally to empty it or reduce it to nothingness - showing disrespect to him,
his presence, his work, his fellowship with his people.
A. Perjury - Biblical practice of taking a solemn oath in His name (Lev 19.12, 2Sam 2.27, Mth
26.63-64, 2Cor 1.23, Gal 1.20, Phil 1.8) - Jesus cautioned us about invoking the name of God to take
oaths in trivial matters. (Mth 5.33-37)
B. Profanity - reference to God as an expletive or combined with vulgar words
C. Pretense - using God's name to cover up an evil heart or to pretend to be something -
Mth 7.21-23 "Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name...
D. Presumption - Wrong actions done in the name of God: the crusades, inquisitions, slavery,
South African apartheid, etc
II. Honoring The Name Of God
Respectful fear of the Lord, not a paralyzing terror
The people of God's covenant community respect Him. When he speaks, they listen; when he commands,
they obey
Love God (Deut 6.5) and fear Him (Deut 6.13)
Fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom... Ps 111.10
QUESTIONS
1. Would God prefer us to have a special, pious reverence for his name in worship or to revere his name
by holy living?
2. How does the name of the Lord protect those who know it?
3. Have you ever taken an oath or vow in the name of God? How serious were you?
4. How do you react to people's referring to God with their profanity?
5. How are people affected when they hear God's name used repeatedly in profane ways?
6. Do you know situations where God's name is invoked to further evil purposes?
7. Has God's revelation ever overwhelmed you to the point of fear?
8. How is fearing the Lord different from the fear of punishment?
9. How does the fear of God lead to wisdom?
10. Does your fear of God lead you to treat sacred matters with deserved importance?
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WRITTEN IN STONE - ETHICS FOR THE HEART
by Rubel Shelly
CHAPTER 6. MY TIME IS HIS TIME
"Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy." Ex20.8
Of the 10, this is 1 of only 2 that are positive
It was most emphasized in Mosaic legislation
It was integral to the life of Israel - to be kept faithfully (Ex
34.21)
Intended not as a burden but as a delight Isa58.13 and part of
spiritual renewal Neh10.31; 13.15-22, c.f., Ac15.10b
In NT, it was the center of controversies: Mk2.23 Mth12.1, Lk
13.10, Jn 5.1, Jn 9.1, Lk 14.1
When started? Ex20, Ex16.22, or Gen2.3 ?
I. The meaning of the Sabbath
A. Meaning: cessation, pause, rest - seventh day
Ex20.8-11, c.f., Deut5:12-15 3 things mentioned: work,
everybody ceases, link to creation week
B. Devotion to God
Mankind needs a fixed time of spiritual devotion to God. The day
is not meant primarily for entertainment or selfish indulgence
but in devotion to worship and service of God.
C. Not intended to prohibit necessary functions - priestly
duties, caring for sick, saving life of animal, c.f., Mth12.1ff
- Jesus shows that the commandment was never intended to be taken
to the extremes that rabbis taught
D. Legalistic misinterpretation
The Jewish oral law (Mishnah) - had many rules/interpretations
about the Sabbath - what was allowed or forbidden then
E. Intended to bless
Mk2.27 "The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath."
Legalism turned a beautiful day into a harsh, hateful ritual.
God intended it to be a blessing to family and friends to be
together in devotion to God
II. Saturday or Sunday? Same or different?
Sabbath belongs to Israel - Sunday belongs to Jesus' Church. The
two are not the same.
III. The enduring principle of the Sabbath
While Sunday not governed by Sabbath rules, it is not just
another business-as-usual day. It is the Lord's Day (Rev 1.10)
and should be used accordingly - a day for public worship and a
time for family
A. Our time belongs to God
The first 4 commandments center on
1. putting Him first in our devotion
2. sanctifying him in our hearts
3. honoring Him with our lips
4. glorify Him with our time
Ps90.12, Eph5.15-16, Col 4.5b We need good stewardship of our
time under the Lord Jesus Christ
"Organize and execute around priorities."
....Do all for the glory of God 1Cor10.31
B. The right balance
A time for work (Ex20.9, Gen2.15, 2Thess3.10) and
a time for rest (Ex20.10) and
a time for worship (Heb10.25)
IV. Conclusion
Not "it's my life and I'll do with it what I want" but instead we
belong to the Lord, so it's His life, and my time is His time.
QUESTIONS
1. Why did the Jews turn the command into a burden?
2. Have we ever turned a gift of God into a burden?
3. Do you feel a need to set aside time from ordinary life
affairs to focus on God?
4. In what areas of spiritual life have modern Christians
created lists of cans and can'ts that cause controversy?
5. How do you spend a typical Sunday?
6. Compare your stewardship of time to your stewardship of
money. With which are you more careful?
7. How do you prioritize your use of time?
8. How do you divide your time among work, rest, and worship?
9. Ideally, how should you divide your time?
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WRITTEN IN STONE - ETHICS FOR THE HEART
by Rubel Shelly
CHAPTER 7. GOD AMONG THE GENERATIONS
"Honor your father and your mother ... " Exodus 20.12
Family - warmth, security, help, love, growth together
In society now? We must reestablish Biblical honor within the
family
I. Meaning of the fifth commandment
A. Its recipients - first: the adults of Israel, second: all
Mth 15.3-9, Eph 6.4
B. Its emphasis - honor: elevating, esteeming, respect
God is source of all life, and parents are participants with
him Prov. 23.22
C. Its promise - that you may live long...
Honor else die Ex 21.15,17; honor their counsel for better
quality of life
D. Its neglect - story about korban Mth15.3-9
Adult children must care for elderly parents
E. Its exceptions - if family prevents faithfulness to God
Also, abandonment or abuse
II. Heart of the fifth commandment
A. Vital role of the family - a basic social unit; parents are
in loco dei to young children
B. Blessings of showing honor - respect, maturity, spirituality,
good attitude toward authority (esp. God)
C. How to show honor - many ways
D. Society's need to show honor
E. Generation to generation - some things change, but honor of
elderly in family is a constant set by God
III. Our perspective on aging
- longer lives (to a limit), be careful of emphasis on physical
over spiritual, and of action over being
QUESTIONS
1. How does "promise" portion of Ex 20.12 work?
2. Do you know of cases when people use religion as an excuse for
not meeting family obligations?
3. Has your relationship with your parents made it easy or
difficult to honor them? What about with your children?
4. "Being a good parent is the most demanding and important role
any of us will ever fill." Agree?
5. How has your relationship with parents affected that with your
heavenly Father?
6. Is it easier to meet financial or emotional needs of your
older relatives?
7. How do you honor older members of your family? ...work
environment? ... church?
8. Do you try to avoid the physical signs of aging? Why?
9. What do you think about your death?
10. How does respect for parents relation to issues of euthanasia
and physician-assisted suicide?
11. What creative possibilities exist in your church for
affirming older people and helping them preserve their dignity?
What else should we do?
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WRITTEN IN STONE - ETHICS FOR THE HEART
by Rubel Shelly
CHAPTER 8. THE VALUE OF HUMAN LIFE
"You shall not murder." Ex 20.13
Current culture places very little value on human life.
America leads the industrialized world in violent crime and murder. And there is a new form of
violent crime: random and brutal crime. Violence, brutality, murder -- they multiply in a culture
that has no respect for the sanctity of human life.
I. The commandment in context
People are created in God's image - Gen 1.26-27, 9.6
People are of infinite intrinsic value - Mth16.26
Not wealth, talent, or position - but being in God's image - that makes people worthy of respect
and fairness
Jesus extended sanctity of human life beyond "no murder" to "no anger, rage, malice" Mth 5.13-18
Murderers - in the fiery lake of burning sulfur Rev21.8
II. Not all killing is murder
Intentional vs accidental Ex21.12-14, c.f., Deut 19.11-13
vs self-defense Ex 22.2
Only the intentional homicide is referred to Ex20.13
III. Some things NOT forbidden
A. Capital punishment for murder Gen 9.6, rape Deut 22.5, kidnapping Ex 21.16
NT agrees that government has right to punish crime
Acts25.11, Rom13.1-5
But personal retaliation is not allowed - Rom 12.19
B. Police action - Ex 32.27, 1 Pet 2.13-14
C. Justified war - Ex 17.8-16. 1 Sam 15.1-3
when a nation uses military force to resist a threat to its people or rescue others from harm
IV. Some things forbidden
A. Abortion - a new life begins at conception
B. Suicide, physician-assisted suicide, active euthanasia
C. Self-inflicted harm - alcohol, drugs, gluttony, ...
QUESTIONS
- What does it mean that all people are "in the image of God"
- How do you define your worth? Others?
- If anger were a crime, could you be convicted? Malice? Racism? Sexism?
- Is capital punishment ever appropriate?
- Which wars do you classify as "justified wars"?
- How should Christians respond to the issue of abortion
- What about active euthanasia? passive euthanasia?
- Has anyone in your family ever faced a decision about euthanasia? How was it handled?
- Are there ways you do not treat your body in an appropriate manner? How can you change
that?
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WRITTEN IN STONE - ETHICS FOR THE HEART
by Rubel Shelly
CHAPTER 9. KEEPING MARRIAGE INTACT
"You shall not commit adultery." Ex 20.14
Current problems regarding marriage: dishonor, unfaithfulness, giving up, divorce, children of
divorce
"Far too many people walk away from marriages that could be saved."
I. The covenant nature of marriage
OT & NT teach about honoring commitment in marriage.
Marriage is a covenant between a man & a woman that is to be lived in love until death separates
them Gen 2.24...
Exclusive marital commitment
Publicly significed in some culturally approved manner,
lasting, consummated by sexual intimacy, heterosexual
Not irrevocable, yet dissolving a marriage is a departure from God's ideal will - it is meant to be a
lifelong relationship - Math 19.4-6
God says He hates divorce - Malachi 2.16
Yet He continues loving, blessing, and keeping His promises - a model for us
II. The divorce legislation of Scripture
Corruption of marriage - in Noah's time (Gen 6.1-3), harems (Gen 12.10ff), concubines (Gen 16.1ff), homosexuality (Gen 19.1ff), incest (Gen 19.30-38)
Deut 24.1-4 "writing her a certificate of divorce"
"Something indecent about her" - debated - c.f., Mth 19.3
1 Cor 7.10-14, 28
Discourage divorce, try to reconcile, don't condemn, forgive and try to help ...
III. Fighting for our marriages
Be on guard constantly against things that threaten fidelity
Beware of society's devaluing of marriage
Ed Wheat's 4-part prescription: bless your mate, edify, share times together, touch
QUESTIONS
1. How has divorce affected your family? Personal friends of yours? Your church?
2. Why do you thing the OT prophets used adultery as a metaphor for idolatry?
3. Why would Rabbi Hillel argue for such a broad interpretation of "something indecent" in Deut
24?
4. Is divorce in a special category of sin, or can it be forgiven as other sins are?
5. How should we support and encourage people who have sinned by divorcing and have later
repented?
6. What are some situations you face that are dangerous to your marriage?
7. How do you both work to strengthen your marriage?
8. What new approaches could you take toward making your marriage better?
9. Which do you do best for your spouse: blessing, edifying, sharing, or touching?
10. How often do you pray with your mate?
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WRITTEN IN STONE - ETHICS FOR THE HEART
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CHAPTER 10. Taking what belongs to another
"You shall not steal." Ex 20.15
Robbery - most prevalent crime we fear from strangers.
1.2 millions thefts per year
Stealing - violation of our duty to love others Golden Rule
I. A Biblical ethic of property
A. Collectivism in Scripture? No - Acts4 and Acts 6 was
voluntary sharing of goods with poor & needy
B. The work ethic - Eph 4.28 steal no longer, but work
C. Stewardship - Parable of Talents Mth25; store up
treasures in Heaven Mth 6.19-21; put hope in God not
wealth 1Tim 6.17-19
Under divine law, everything under human's authority is
regarded as God's property held in trust.
Don't be irresponsible and unspiritiual in our stewardship
Evangelize (Mth 28) and care for poor (Mth 25), instead
of expensive buildings
Be content with what we have 1Tim 6.6-9
Love of money is a root of all kinds of evil 1 Tim 6.10
II. Violating this commandment
A. Taking money or property from another - burglary,
embezzlement, fraud, plagiarism, padded expense
accounts, bogus insurance claims, leaving debts unpaid
B. Dishonesty in business dealings - overpricing goods
and services, misrepresenting quality of a product,
employer's not pay fair wages, employee failing to
perform job (Eph6.5-9, James 5.4)
C. Taking intangible things from another - deny others'
rights in society, unfair discrimination, gossip & slander
D. Withholding from God - Mal 3.8
III. Restitution: a forgotten principle
OT Ex 22, Lev 6, Lk 19.8
Our current legal system fails in this
Personal relationships - "I'm sorry", trying to correct
QUESTIONS
1. How would you react if $20000 fell from a vehicle in
front of your car? What if no one was looking?
2. What is the difference in owning something and holding
it in trust? How does this apply to our stewardship
3. How does an eternal perspective change one's view of
the priority of material things?
4. What method do you suggest for making spiritual
decisions about money that is dedicated to God?
5. How would your lifestyle change if you were required
to give 1/4 or 1/3 of your income to God?
6. We looked at 4 categories of stealing? Which seems
easiest/hardest for you to avoid?
7. Have you ever considered such things as irresponsible
indebtedness, sexism, and slander as forms of stealing?
8. How do you feel about incorporating the principle of
restitution into our criminal justice system?
9. In light of the various types of stealing we discussed, is
there anyone to whom you need to make restitution?
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WRITTEN IN STONE - ETHICS FOR THE HEART
by Rubel Shelly
CHAPTER 11. The Pinocchio Syndrome
"You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor."
Ex 20.16
What has become of the premium our culture once placed
on truthfulness? Have we abandoned "It is true?" for "Will
it bring about the desired result?"
I. A Nation of Liars?
Tabloids, government officials, politicians, salesmen,
scientists, job applicants, students,...
Rumors
II. What is truth?
John 18.37-38 Jesus before Pilate
A. Factual truth vs moral truth
Factual - accuracy of statements
Moral - honesty in telling, and not withholding
pertinent facts
B. Personal integrity
Believers must love truth-telling and abhor lying in
order to honor our being in God's image
God is truthful Rev 15.3; 16.7; Titus 1.2; John 14.6,7
Don't lie, be truthful Eph 4.25
God hates liars: Prov 6.16-19
III. How we violate this commandment
A. Perjury
B. All lying (discuss concealment c.f., Gen 20.1-18, 1
Sam 16.1-5)
Discuss this def: A lie is an intentional misleading of
another person
C. Slander James 4.11
IV. The "Justifiable" lie - (not really)
QUESTIONS
- Is there a distinction in your mind between lying about
trivial matters and lying about important things?
- Can you illustrate how it is possible to say something
that is factually true but morally false?
- Is it possible to lie by being silent?
- Are you inclined to view lying as "immoral" or
"against God" in the same way as sexual immorality,
murder, and idolatry?
- Do you agree with the definition of lying offered
above? How might it be improved?
- How are slander and lying related to each other? Is it
possible to slander a person if everything you say
about him is true?
- What situations might appear to "justify" telling a lie?
- Imagine that people's noses actually grow when they
tell lies. What would the world look like?
- How do you guard your heart against the temptation to
lie?
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WRITTEN IN STONE - ETHICS FOR THE HEART
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CHAPTER 12. The Envy Trap
"You shall not covet..." Ex 20.17
The command deals with coveting what belongs to others
I. The meaning of covetousness
Ambition, dreams, working hard - not wrong, unless they
lead you away from God or they corrupt relationships
Don't sacrifice eternal values for perishable things
Love of money is root of evils (1 Tim 6.10)
Covet: Hebrew "hamad" means "enthusiastic desire"
Only a sin when misdirected or out-of-control and turn us
away from God's will
II. Biblical case studies
King Ahab's desire for Naboth's vineyard 1 Kings 21.1-16
King David's desire for Bathsheba 2 Sam 11.1ff
Covetousness called idolatry by Paul Eph 5.5, Col 3.5
III. What to do with good fortune
Do we use our gifts, possessions, and talents for
selfishness or for service?
IV. Paul's personal confession
Sin produced covetous desire in him Rom 7.7-8
We must allow the Spirit to transform and direct us Heb
12.1-2, Rom 8.6
V. The doctrine of self-denial
Deny self, take up your cross, follow Christ Mth 16.24
Paul's experience Phil 3.-9; love Jesus most Lk 14.26
QUESTIONS
- Name the form of success that is most attractive to you
from this list: money, athletic ability, intelligence,
physical attractiveness, fame, power. Why is it?
- What might you be tempted to do for $10,000,000
- What things do you think about and desire most? Are
they holy things or things that may lead you away
from God?
- Do your personal desires ever compete with God's
will? What do you do about the conflict?
- Have you give up any of your early, idealistic dreams
of sacrifice for the kingdom of God?
- Why do you have the things you have? Are they for
God's purposes or your own?
- How has God's Holy Spirit worked to transform and
renew your mind?
- What do you still need to let go of in order to "deny
yourself" and follow Christ?
- Do you agree with the statement that covetousness will
" more nearly cost you your soul than murder,
adultery, or stealing"?
- Are there things of your neighbors that you covet?
Why? What should you do about it?
- How do Paul's words in Phil 4.11-12 (about being
content with what we have) relate to this topic?
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WRITTEN IN STONE - ETHICS FOR THE HEART
by Rubel Shelly
CHAPTER 13. The Issue is Character
"Righteousness exalts a nations, but sin is a disgrace to any people." Pr 14:34
The fundamental negative shift in ethical understanding
and behavior of recent years must be challenged.
I. Failed attempts to reverse ethical decline.
"Ethics" courses in colleges - some only confuse
Written policies are not sufficient
II. Ethical relativism - the idea that there are no universal
principles binding all persons, but that morality differs by
culture and time
III. Absolutes DO exist - there are some things we
KNOW to be right or wrong (don't mistreat children,
don't steal, be considerate, be respectful, be honest,...)
These transcend human opinion
IV. The unique relationship of the Christian to law
A. Christian freedom leads to obedience - set free from
sin's dominion to be free to live for Christ. But do not use
your freedom to indulge the sinful nature (Gal 5.13)
B. Salvation based on Jesus alone - a gift from God rather
than a reward for our efforts
C. Relationship with God maintained by confession
1 Jn 1.9
V. An emerging consensus
We must link arms with people of decency and good will
of many perspectives without agreeing fully with them
VI. An ethic of minimal civility - foundational principles,
core of right values - based on mutual respect (not for
personal gain) - Golden Rule
A. Teaching it:
1. Teach ethics in school
2. Behavior codes for school & business that emphasize
civility
3. Don't be intimidated by opponents who cry
"brainwashing"
4. Use positive stories to help teach ethical principles
B. The Christian's maximal level of ethics
Mth 5.48, Phil 2.5ff
The issue is character.
QUESTIONS
- Why have written ethics policies in an organization?
- What benefits (and problems) arise from "linking
arms" with other groups to fight unethical practice?
- How does our "discipleship" affect our behavior?
- Is there ethical relativism in your community?
- What are the problems with allowing young people
"discover their own values"?
- What stories would you recommend for moral
instruction of children?
- What about "value-neutral" literature?
- How can our church be more involved in influencing
the character of people in our community?
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