THE ADVICE WE CHOOSE TO FOLLOW CAN MAKE A LASTING IMPACT ON US AND ON THOSE AROUND US. 

SCRIPTURE | 1 Kings 12:1-19 

CENTRAL TRUTH 

The voices we listen to the most are discipling us. This is why it matters greatly where we seek advice. 

KEY QUESTION 

WHY DOES IT MATTER WHO WE GO TO FOR ADVICE? 

KEEP IN MIND 

Students often need advice but don’t know where to turn to get it. They may hear conflicting advice and wrestle with which opinion to follow. On their own, it can be really difficult to wade through all the advice that comes their way. Students are constantly hit with opinions about what’s right and wrong from social media, friends, family members, and entertainment. Whether they realize it or not in the moment, the opinions they listen to help mold them into the people they’re becoming. We must encourage students to surround themselves with people who will push them toward God’s will and not away from it. God hasn’t left them on their own to sift through all the advice they’re given. He has given your students everything they need to live a godly lifestyle (2 Pet. 1:3). 

APPLICATION 

WHEN HAVE YOU BEEN NEGATIVELY AFFECTED BY SOMEONE’S UNWISE CHOICES? WHAT CAN YOU DO TO MAKE SURE YOUR CHOICES ARE WISE? 

THE WIN 

FOR THE STUDENT: When students choose wisdom, they’ll pause and ask what God wants them to do in every situation. Choosing wisdom requires them to take all of their choices to God’s Word to determine if they contradict His will. And when they do clash, walking in wisdom means that they’ll choose God’s instruction over their own desires, over worldly advice, and over their own comfort. 

FOR THE LEADER: When we choose to walk in wisdom, we could make a lasting impact on the people walking with us and on those watching how we live—on our students. Instead of rejecting godly wisdom to seek our own desires, we can embrace it and show our students that God’s way is better.