Youths Sunday School 19 March 2023

TOPIC: Habits 

MEMORY VERSE: “Keep your heart with all diligence, For out of it spring the issues of life.” – Proverbs 4:23 (NKJV)‬

BIBLE PASSAGE: Exodus 28:40-42 (KJV) (Scroll down for RCCG Sunday School 12 March 2023 HYMN)‬

13 “You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men.

14 “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden.

15 Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house.

16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.

INTRODUCTION: Habit may be defined as a settled or regular tendency or practice, especially one that is hard to give up. It is also referred to as a “Dress,” Custom “or Dwelling”. It can also be termed as a routine of behavior that is repeated regularly and tends to occur subconsciously. Habit can be positive or negative.

LESSON OUTLINE:

DEFINED BY YOUR HABITS

HABIT FORMATION AND CONTROL

1. DEFINED BY YOUR HABITS

Habits are expressed in the way you wear clothes, sleep, eat, etc. Every habit you pick up is something you have developed in the mind, in your conscious and subconscious state (Prov. 23:7). The things that you consistently do on a daily basis determine your body shape, strength, and stamina, as well as many other things.

According to Joshua 1:8, your success is in your habits. Jesus kept to the habit of preaching (Matt. 4:17), praying (Lk. 5:16), reading (Lk.4:16), and fasting (Mk. 9:28-29, Matt. 4:2).

Habits can either make or break your chances of achieving your lifestyle goals as well as increasing quality of life and promoting longevity. Some of the sicknesses and negative things you attribute to the devil are also traceable to your habit. An unhealthy habit could be fear like Job’s, fornication like Samson’s, negative pronouncement like Balaam’s, irresponsibility like Adam’s, personality defects like Moses’, or adultery like David’s. The consistency of your habit turn to your behavior.

2. HABIT FORMATION AND CONTROL

During childhood, habits are picked up from parents, caregivers, friends, teachers, or society. However, forming a habit may include the following stages:

CUE: this is where the mind is consciously analysing your internal and external environment for hints of where rewards are located. Like what information, business, or idea we bring rewards. When you cue on the word of God, ideas for good success drop into your spirit (Joshua1:8).

CRAVING: The que is the first indication that you are close to a reward, it naturally leads to a craving. Cravings are the motivational force that may lead to forming a new habit. What you crave is the reward it delivers (Philippians 3:10)

RESPONSE: This is the actual habit you perform, which can take the form of a thought or an action (Proverbs 23:7).

REWARD: This is where you get addicted to a habit. There are two rewards system here: it’s satisfies your craving and then it teaches you to come back (James 1:14-15)

If a behaviour does not complete these stages, is it will not become a habit. Without the first three steps, a behaviour will not occur. Without all four, a behaviour will not be repeated.

Therefore, to get rid of bad habits, carefully take the following steps:

Identify your triggers

Focuses on why you want to change

Enlist accountability partners

Practice self control

Replace the habit with a good one

Leave yourself reminders

CONCLUSION

Spiritually, what really needs to be done is to yield to the leading of the Holy Spirit.

QUESTIONS

What is the relationship between one’s habit and well being

Mention the four stages of habit formation.