Follow-Up Study Guide To:

 

How Do I Finally Stop?

Part 3 of 6 in the series “Out Of Control”

February 17, 2008                                              Pastor Scott Oldenburgh

 

READ MATTHEW 19:16-30

 

Ê  What was the man’s addiction?

Ê  Why do you think he struggled with being able to let God have control of this area?

Ê  What was the result of the man’s unwillingness to surrender?

Ê  What could have been the result had he allowed God into that area of his life?

Ê  Can you identify certain things or activities that are an easy addiction for you, either now or in the past?

 

Addiction is bigger than just drugs and alcohol.

Think through things that have controlled your time, resources, energy, and emotions.

 

Ê  Can you only be addicted to something bad?

Ê  Think of an addiction to something good. How can the addiction part still be dangerous?

 

READ ROMANS 1:18-32

 

Ê  Looking deeper into verse 21, what is the actual sin of addiction?

Ê  How does addiction darken our hearts and minds?

Ê  How does an addicted person usually respond to someone else pointing out the addiction?

Ê  Why do you think addiction blinds the person of the reality?

Ê  Looking on to verse 24, what happens when a person continually denies God’s Lordship and remains unfaithful?

Ê     What are the consequences to living in an addiction and not surrendering to God’s Lordship?

 

READ PROVERBS 27:17

 

Ê  What role does accountability play for the addict?

Ê  Where would be the best place to find accountability?

 

STATISTICS TELL US THAT MOST ADDICTS WILL GROUP TOGETHER

 

Ê  What are the advantages of someone struggling with addiction getting help from another addict?

Ê  What are the disadvantages?

Ê  At FOM, where would you find this type of accountability for any type of addiction struggle?

Ê  Where would you find a safe place to share, grow, and be accountable?

 

 

Pray this week for God to open your eyes to areas that might lean toward the addiction side in your life. Evaluate time, resources, energies, and emotions and commit to keeping God at the center of your priorities and heart.

 

Pray this week for those in your path at work, home, and church that struggle with addiction.  Ask God for the heart to help, hold accountable, and love those around you. Research some resources online, at church, or through a counselor that can provide help for those that might be struggling with addictions in their lives.