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Who are you Living to Please?

December 11th, 2011

To the leader of the study

People-pleasing is predominant among teens. As they develop a stronger sense of their own identity, they seek approval and acceptance from others. Christian-parented teens are commonly motivated by people-pleasing to study the Bible. They feel a great deal of pressure to the Bible to please their Christian parent(s), siblings and friends. Then you, as a teen leader or an older teen, begin to study, they can strive to give the “right” responses to questions – not necessarily their true heartfelt responses.

Intro

Ask: Whose approval is important to you?
Who do you want to please or get approval from?

Some answers:

  1. myself
  2. parents, teachers
  3. teen leaders or older teens
  4. friends
Why?
  1. to be accepted, liked, popular
  2. to feel good about myself
  3. because it feels good to be praised
Bottom line: The goal of this study is to help you to see the importance of pleasing God and seeking praise and approval from Him.

The Scriptures

John 5:41-44
What is Jesus teaching in this Scripture?
  • We need to follow his example by focusing on getting praise from God, not people
  • We will please who we love
Bottom line: These people knew the truth but did not follow it because of peer pressure. They cared more about their reputation with people than they cared about doing what was right before God.

Galatians 1:10
What does Paul tell us about the difference between please people and pleasing God?
They are opposites!

When are you tempted to do the God-pleasing thing but with people-pleasing motives?
  • going to church
  • obeying parents just because they said so, not because we want to make God happy
  • serving, but wanting recognition for all you do by peers or leaders
Bottom line: When we strive to please God, we may not be popular with the world, but keep in mind that man’s approval is temporary, while God’s approval is eternal.

2 Corinthians 5:9-10
Why should we care about trying to please God?
  • It doesn’t just happen – it has to be a set goal
  • We all (every single person, whether we believe in God or not) will be accountable for our lives
  • Jesus died for us, and we need to live to please him.

Personal Heart-Check Questions

Can you relate to people-pleasing Pharisees in any way?
Have you counted the cost of studying the Bible? Becoming a Christian will effect your reputation with your non-Christian
friends.
What do your lifestyle and your priorities say about how much faith you have in God?

Practical Applications

Make a three columns on a page. In the first column, list the activities you are involved in – everything, including studying the Bible, school activities, free time, etc. In the next column, write the reason you think you participate in it. Ask others who know you well to tell you why they think you are involved. Allow them to point out the areas where they see you “loving praise from men rather than from God, “ and write their insights in the third column. Be honest and encourage honesty! Bring the list to your next study and review it with your teen leader. This will help you see who you are living to please and decide to please God instead.

Write out a one-page essay about why you really want to study the Bible. Include who you are trying to please by studying and why.