Discerning Right and Wrong

OBJECTIVE

Our thoughts, words, and deeds are all reflections of Christ. As His children, we are called to choose what is right and to do what is right in the face of wrong, always.

  • To highlight the contrast between right and wrong
  • To recognize the importance of choosing right to become more like Christ
  • To empower students with the resources they have to aid them in choosing right

HOLY SCRIPTURE - 2 Minutes

Memory Verse: "If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him." James 1:5

INTRODUCTION & HOOK - 5 Minutes

Good Food vs. Bad Food Activity

MATERIALS:

  • (2) Poster boards
  • Markers

INSTRUCTIONS:

  • Begin by asking your students to name all types of food, any food that comes to their mind
  • Write down all of their named foods on a poster board
  • On a separate poster paper, sort the food into 2 columns: good food and junk food

On top of the healthy food column, write in large letters: RIGHT CHOICE. On top of the junk food column, write in large letters: WRONG CHOICE.

Discuss the following questions:

  • Why do we eat food?
  • What shouldn't we eat? (Name something that's not food, like something poisonous.)
  • How do you know what's healthy to eat, and what's unhealthy to eat?
  • Deciding what to eat is just one of many choices we make each day. What other kinds of choices do you often have to make?
  • Can you think of times when you've had to decide between doing something good, or doing something harmful?

CONTENT - 10 Minutes

As Christians, we know that there is both good and evil in this world. We know there is a right way to behave: that which is pleasing to God and puts us in the right direction towards Salvation.

Likewise, we know that there is a wrong way to behave: when we are displeasing to God, when we sin and move away from Him.

We would be fooling ourselves if we thought that the secular world we live in represents Christianity and is always pleasing to God. In reality, our Christian views and lifestyle will always be challenged because we are not of this world.

John 15:19: If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.

When our Christian lifestyle, our morality, is tested, we are called to pass the test, to make the right decision. Making the right decision is doing the will of God. We are reminded of exactly this at the end of every Catholic Epistle reading at every Liturgy.

I John 2:15-17: Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world---the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life---is not of the Father but is of the world. And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.

So how do we choose right over wrong if, oftentimes, it can be hard to tell what is right and wrong? We must discern.

What does "discernment" mean?

  • The divine ability to know the difference between right and wrong, to know the difference between God's ways and the world's ways

How do we practice discernment?

  • We learn to distinguish good from evil by getting to know God. His Word is the foundation for understanding Him (Psalm 1:1--2; 119:160; John 17:17.The closer we draw to the holiness of God, the worse sin appears (Isaiah 6:1, 5.
  • Discernment comes by studying and applying God's Word.
  • Discernment comes from the guidance of our spiritual advisors. Discernment is a gift from God (1 Corinthians 12:10). The Holy Spirit's guidance assists the spiritual father or confessional father whose roles are very important in helping their sons and daughters, to know the difference between God's voice and the devil's deception.
  • Discernment comes from prayer. Prayer always develops intimacy with God and helps us to hear His voice. By knowing God's voice, we recognize that it can only lead to goodness. The devil's voice always has a hidden agenda.
  • Discernment comes from being honest with ourselves. Honesty with ourselves as to our motives and intentions, without the influence of friends or (social) media, etc., will help reveal if the devil is lurking and whispering in the back of our minds.

LIFE APPLICATION - 2 Minutes

Prayer for Spiritual Wisdom: "...that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power..." (Ephesians 1:17-19)

ACTIVITY - 25 Minutes

Bible Study. Divide the students into groups. Have them look up the following verses. What do these verses tell us about how to discern between right and wrong? What things can we do to gain discernment?

God's Word is filled with examples of those who did right and those who did wrong. Those examples are there for us to learn what God is like and what He desires from us (1 Corinthians 10:11.

  • Micah 6:8 - He has shown you, O man, what is good; And what does the Lord require of you but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?
  • Malachi 3:18 - Then you shall again discern between the righteous and the wicked, between one who serves God and one who does not serve Him.
    • Here the Lord is equating righteousness with serving Him. If good is defined as serving God, then evil is rejecting God and refusing to serve Him. Regardless of how philanthropic a person may appear to others, his good works amount to little if they are done for selfish reasons. If we make it our goal to seek God and honor Him in everything we do (1 Corinthians 10:31, we will understand right and wrong and know that our life choices are pleasing to Him
  • Jeremiah 29:13 - And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart.
  • 1 Peter 3:12 - For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and His ears are open to their prayers; but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.
  • Psalm 106:3 - Blessed are those who keep justice, and he who does righteousness at all times

HOMEWORK

  • Memorize this week's memory verse.
  • Pray the Prayer for Spiritual Wisdom: Ephesians 1:17-19
  • Think about a decision you have been struggling with, or a challenge you find yourself facing, and make an appointment to speak with your Spiritual Father about it.