1. Why It Matters What You Believe

2. Agenda Hand out ballot Three Old Testament examples of why it mattered what someone believed New Testament scriptures about belief How we develop our beliefs

3. OT Example 1 - Eve Eve chose to believe Satan Genesis 3:1-6 Believing in the wrong thing can have dire consequences Genesis 3:16-19 Discussion: What things can we mistakenly believe in today that can have dire consequences in our lives?

4. OT Example 2 – Jacob and Joseph Jacob believes lies told about Joseph’s death Genesis 37:32-35 Illustration: mistaken identity What you believe affects your behavior and actions

5. OT Example 3 - Naaman Background – 2 Kings 5:1-8 Reaction – 2 Kings 5:9-12 Discussion: What can we learn from Naaman’s assumptions and reaction?

6. NT – Give an Answer I Peter 3:15-16 Discussion: What do you think it means to “give a reason” or “give a defense”?

7. NT – False Teachers Warnings against false teachers – 2 Peter 2:1-3 – 1 John 4:1 “Those who stand for nothing, fall for anything” ~ Alexander Hamilton Discussion: How do we “try the spirits”? – Compare teaching to Bible Gal 1:6-10 – Christology 2 John 1:7-10 – Teacher lifestyle Jude 1:11

8. How We Develop Our Beliefs Friends Entire Word of God Children from caregivers

9. Next Week Why It Matters What We Believe About - The Bible – How we got the Bible – Supporting evidences for Biblical truths Prophecy Archeology Manuscripts – Sola scriptura “by scripture alone”