We face moral issues everyday What are some examples? Why is it important to make moral

decisions?

Child: relied on parents, teachers, or others we trustedObedience

Young adult: more freedom to make own decisionsMay realize that parents and teachers are not

free of mistakes

How people ought to behave Choosing to do the “good” and not the

“bad” How is this different from

psychology/sociology? Who should be concerned with morality?

Moral: that which is good Immoral: that which is bad Amoral: morally neutral Moral decision: a decision when the

results might be good or bad for someone

As Christians God has given us what is the good and what is not

What God makes is perfect, no need to change?

Man is imperfect so what is made is imperfectExamples: slavery

Is wearing a uniform good or right? Is stealing bad or wrong? We are going to use good and bad to

refer to God’s Commandments (moral) Right and wrong to refer to rules and

laws made by humans

Moral/ImmoralGood/Bad

Legal/IllegalRight/Wrong

Who Decides? God Society/Man

Why? Loves us Order/Protect

Examples Life, true love, honesty, justice, human dignity, equality, mercy, compassion, forgiveness

Speed limit, uniforms, chewing gum

Called Principles, values, absolutes

Rules, Laws

Can they change?

No Yes

All people are good. Good people do bad things. We may do bad things…

Judge actions not people

All good things are also right All right things are not also good All people are good

Why do we have such a problem seeing others and sometimes ourselves as good?

Do we think that we, or especially others are not good?

Why do we want to prove that others are bad?

Why do people today not want us to say their action is bad?

Read your scripture passage silently, listening for words or phrases that strike you.

Read it again out loud with your group. Share your words or phrases. What does your passage mean to you? What does your passage say about

truth?

What is one thing you know to be absolutely true?

Why does our culture have a difficult time accepting absolute truths?

What truths do you think teens compromise on? Why?

What is one way you can protect and stand up for the truth Christ gave us this week?

Is the way you are living your life now a witness to the truth? Why or why not? If not, what needs to change?

Not all cultures share the same sense of morality.

Should all moralities be viewed as equal?

How do we know what is truly good or bad?

Harmful to life and opposed to the good given to us by God

Every person has God-given dignity and an immortal destiny

Created in God’s image, we all share in God’s own loving nature

Thus, we can find lasting happiness and harmony only by freely imitating God, and by walking in love and working together

Only happy when we help others too Need wisdom in order to make moral

decisions

Exercising the freedom God has given us to do what’s right is the only humanly good and fulfilling thing to do, the only choice that leads to life.

What makes you truly happy? When was the last time you felt truly happy?

Do you believe that morality is a hindrance to your life or a way to achieve happiness and joy? Why?

Do you believe that God desires more for you life than to just get by and be a good person? Do you believe that God wants you to be truly happy?

Do you want to be a part of the Kingdom of God? Do you live your life in a way that reflects that desire?

Do you believe that God the Father gives us the moral law for our well-being? Why or why not?

What does the “Kingdom of God” mean? Why are laws and rules important?

What do you think of the worlds perception of morality is compared to the Christian perception of morality?

What is the goal of your life? What is God’s goal for your life?

Goody-goodieDoes what they are ‘supposed’ to do May be out of touch with others who face life’s

difficult decisions Good person

Struggles to understand why some things are good and bad and to do the right thing

Can empathize with human experience/struggle

What reasons, other than those we have mentioned, might people have for choosing the bad? What is your response to these reasons?

What reasons can you think of for being good or moral? Which of these makes most sense to you? Why?

We have the technology to do almost anything

Recognize changes in the world Question has become should we Once the technology exists it is there Alfred Nobel Our moral decisions effect others

Copy bullet points from page 14 in your notes

Choose 1 article that is related to a current moral issue today

WriteWhy is the topic a moral issue?Whose needs and rights are involved in

the issue?Whose needs and rights are most likely to

be unmet and not respected?What do you think should be done?

If you finish choose another.