Discussion Questions

‌Use the following questions based on today’s sermon as a starting point for spiritual discussions with your family or a small group of Christian friends this week.

‌Fellowship—Relationship with a Purpose

• Which would you be most likely to do: buy a lottery ticket, gamble at a casino, place a sports bet, or none of the above? Why?
  

• Has gambling affected anyone around you negatively? How so?
  

‌Growth—Thinking About Spiritual Matters

• Read Judges 14:5-19. What kind of gambling did Samson engage in? What was the wager? Who lost?
  

• How do most people in your circle of influence view gambling? How do you think most people in your church view gambling? What sources or people influence their view?
  

• Are you surprised by the fact that Scripture doesn’t address the issue of gambling directly? Why or why not?
  

• In the absence of a direct command or prohibition in the Bible, how do we decide whether an action pleases or offends God?
  

• What impact does gambling have on society? What kinds of evils are associated with it?
  

• Read Proverbs 13:20. Do the people who engage in gambling make you more wise, or do they put you in harm’s way?
  

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- What are your motives for gambling (or not gambling)? Be completely honest.

• Write out 1 Timothy 6:9-10
  

• How does gambling impact your stewardship? Your work ethic? Your protection of the vulnerable? Your trust in God?
  

‌Prayer – Taking Your Thoughts to God

• Pray that you will be content with whatever God provides for you. Ask Him to clear out any hint of greed or evil from your life.