I. America’s Most Popular Worldviews:

1. HUMANISM “You are your own god”

Romans 1:25 (NIV) They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator--who is forever praised. Amen.

2. MATERIALISM: “The one with the most toys wins.”

Luke 12:15 (NIV) “a man's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions."

3. PRAGMATISM “Whatever works for you”

Proverbs 14:12 (NIV) There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death.

II. The Biblical Worldview:

“God made me for His purposes”

Colossians 1:16 (MSG) For everything, absolutely everything, above and below, visible and invisible, rank after rank after rank of angels—everything got started in Him and finds its purpose in Him.

III. Reasons your worldview matters

Proverbs 4:23 (TEV) Be careful how you think; your life is shaped by your thoughts.

a. Beliefs determine BEHAVIOR

b. Scripture provide STABILITY

Proverbs 29:18 (MSG) If people can't see what God is doing, they stumble all over themselves; But when they attend to what He reveals, they are most blessed.

c. Preparation produces POISE (confidence)

1 Peter 3:15 (GW) Always be ready to defend your confidence {in God} when anyone asks you to explain it. However, make your defense with gentleness and respect.

IV. How do I strengthen my worldview?

1. LEARN the truth.

Proverbs 23:23 (NCV) Learn the truth and never reject it. Get wisdom, self-control, and understanding.

2. DISCERN what is false

1 John 4:1 (MSG) “don't believe everything you hear. Carefully weigh and examine what people tell you. Not everyone who talks about God comes from God. There are a lot of lying preachers loose in the world.”

3. TURN from the world to the Word.

Romans 12:2 (MSG) Don't become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You'll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you.

Proverbs 15:14 (NLT) A wise person is hungry for truth, while the fool feeds on trash.

4. CONCERN yourself with God’s agenda.

Luke 12:31 (NLT) He (God) will give you all you need from day to day if you make the Kingdom of God your primary concern.

1 Corinthians 14:20 (NIV) Brothers, stop thinking like children. In regard to evil be infants, but in your thinking be adults.

Join a Small Group and receive a free 85 page study guide. Going Deeper: Read Chpts 1-5 in “The Good Life” by Chuck Colson. Go even farther with “Diving Deeper” using our “pdf” study guide. Go to www.4salem.org/fyw.htm for all resources and group possibilities.

Daily Doses: For those with extremely busy schedules: Take just a minute a day to start out with a Word from the Lord. Read it! Listen Again! Write down how it applies to you. Finally pray about it.

qMon. Rom 1:25	qWed. Col.1:16	qFri. Rom 12:2
qTue. Prov.14:12	qThr. 1 Pet.3:15	qSat. 1 Jn.4:1

Through the Bible in One Year "Parson Larsen's Quiet Time Notebook" or “Through the Bible In 1 Year” brochure study guides are available in the lobby of the church. This free resource should help you to develop a Bible reading plan that will certainly bless your week.