“Wisdom With Our Attitudes”

March 30, 2025 – Ben Johnson

Ephesians 5:15-17 — So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise. Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days. Don’t act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do.

Attitude is a LITTLE thing that makes a BIG difference.

Numbers 13:25-27 — After exploring the land for forty days, the men returned… “We entered the land you sent us to explore, and it is indeed a bountiful country—a land flowing with milk and honey…

Numbers 13:28 — But the people living there are powerful, and their towns are large and fortified. We even saw giants…

Numbers 13:30-31 — But Caleb tried to quiet the people as they stood before Moses. “Let’s go at once to take the land,” he said. “We can certainly conquer it!”

Numbers 14:24 — But my servant Caleb has a different attitude than the others have. He has remained loyal to me, so I will bring him into the land he explored. His descendants will possess their full share of that land.

Joshua 14:10-11 — “Now, as you can see, the Lord has kept me alive and well as he promised for all these forty-five years since Moses made this promise—even while Israel wandered in the wilderness. Today I am eighty-five years old. I am as strong now as I was when Moses sent me on that journey, and I can still travel and fight as well as I could then. 

The wrong attitude will…

EXAGGERATE the DIFFICULTY in front of me.

INFECT others with my NEGATIVITY

UNDERESTIMATE what God has FOR me.

ROB me from JOY.

Philippians 2:5 — You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had.

Faith means having a POSITIVE attitude about what I can do, without WORRYING about what God will do.

Life Group Discussion & Questions

BREAKING THE ICE:

Share the best wisdom you have been given. Secondly, what piece of wisdom would you want to share with those you love?

Ephesians 5:15-17 — So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise. Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days. Don’t act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do.

DIGGING IN:

In Numbers 13 and 14, we see the account of the twelve spies sent to explore Canaan, illustrating how the faith and attitude of a few can significantly impact an entire community.  

1. Share how you think your attitude impacts your relationships with others, including family, friends, and coworkers.

2. What are some things that you find yourself dwelling on that cause you to have a negative attitude?

3. How can you actively choose to have a more positive attitude, even when facing difficult situations?

4. How would those closest to you describe your attitude?

5. What are some specific ways you can practice gratitude and joy, even in the midst of challenges?

BRINGING IT HOME:

If we're supposed to have an attitude like Jesus, what are some things we should be doing? Do you think the attitude you have now is one that Jesus would be proud of?