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The 911 Handbook Study Guide Questions
Lesson 3 / Chapter 3
When You Are Discontented: May I Change Seats, Please?
Contentment-Deficit Disorder isn't a real disorder, but simply a scapegoat on which to blame our restlessness. Name several ways discontentment is manifested.
Because crabs are nearly everywhere, it's easy to be seated next to a crab. Listed below are four things when seated next to one.
First, Accept the fact that God has given you an assigned seat.
Read Philippians 4:11-12. Paul wrote this passage while in a Roman prison. He said he learned how to be content. Was there a time when he didn't know how? If so, how did he learn it?
Paul said he learned the secret of being content. Name some facts about secrets.
Paul believed God assigned him a seat in prison. What does this say about God's control of our circumstances?
How does our view of circumstances influence our contentment?
Second, Learn to coexist with the crab.
Why does the grizzly bear choose to coexist with the skunk?
What can we learn from this example?
How can fighting your crab make your situation worse?
Discuss some ways God is using the crab in your life.
If your crab is a person, what is the attitude we should have toward him or her? (Luke 6:32).
Third, Realize changing seats does not solve the problem.
Myth #1: "If I could be with someone else, then I would be happy."
Single people want to change seats and get married, while married people want to change seats and be single again. Discuss how people have illusions of what life will be like "on the other side of the fence."
Discuss the statement, "Discontentment is an internal problem, not an external one."
Myth #2: "If I could just go somewhere else, then I would be happy."
Why does the grass always look greener somewhere else?
Myth #3: "If I could just get something else, then I would be happy."
Read 1 Tim. 6:17. If God has given us all things to enjoy, what keeps people from enjoying things?
Why must we first be happy with what we already have before we can enjoy the new things we receive?
If we aren't happy with what we already have, why won't we be happy with new things?
Fourth, Don't allow the crab to ruin your trip.
What does it mean to "enjoy the trip"?
How can a crab keep us from enjoying the trip through life?
What can we do to keep the crab from ruining the trip?