THINK TOGETHER.
Have you ever made a choice that seemed good but it turned out bad?
READ TOGETHER
Proverbs 14:12. There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death.
The warning in this proverb is pretty serious. Solomon is telling us that a person can be convinced that they are doing the right thing, but it is actually the wrong thing. What does that mean? It means we can’t always trust ourselves to know right from wrong.
You are growing up in a world that tells you to “follow your heart,” and to “be true to yourself.” But the Bible is saying the exact opposite. Your heart’s choice can seem right at the time and even make you feel good, but that same choice can be leading you into all kinds of trouble.
How can we know that our choices are actually right and not wrong? First, we must always compare them to what the Bible says. If the Bible tells us to be honest, but lying seems better, then what do you do? You tell the truth. Second, we should always check our ideas and choices with others and get the advice of the people who love us and care about us. Finally, we can listen to the Holy Spirit who lives inside of us. He will always tell us to do what Jesus would do.
There’s one really big area of life where this proverb is true – how to have eternal life and go to Heaven. What seems right to most people is that we get to Heaven by being good. But that is actually a way that ends in death. No one can get to Heaven by being good, can they? Only by faith in Jesus can a person make it to God and his presence forever.
Are you trying to get to Heaven by being good, or by faith in Jesus?
Because of Jesus we can go to Heaven by faith alone.
With Jesus we can know what is right.
DO SOMETHING TOGETHER
Read Matthew 7:13-14. Talk about the difference between the wide gate (doing good to get to Heaven) and the narrow gate (faith in Jesus alone).
PRAY TOGETHER
Jesus, I know I can’t always trust my own heart, so help me to always trust yours. Amen.
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