If we are honest, when it comes to defining
holiness, we all struggle. Is it something that we can measure in our lives,
and if so how do we know when we have arrived? This study will help students
learn and understand just what holiness is—what it means to be set apart. This
study will also help students by giving them tools to help recognize what
holiness is so that they can begin to live it out in their daily lives. This
unit of study will help students to understand that while God is the only one
who is truly holy, we are to pursue holiness with everything we have in our
relationship with Him. How much would you say your teenager understands about
holiness? Is it something they should begin to pursue even as a teenager? Why
or why not? What makes a person holy?
Session 1: Holiness
Defined | Deuteronomy 32:3-4; 1 Samuel
2:2; Revelation 4:8-11 (10/13/15)
What does it mean
to be holy? We must understand that holiness can only be found in the character
of God. Holiness means to be separated or set apart. Holiness is God’s
outstanding character. He is set apart in majesty and glory. He is uniquely set
apart. We must learn to recognize and acknowledge the majesty and glory of God
in order to help us define holiness. It is important to understand that no
person or thing compares to God. He is undeniably a cut above everything else. God
always acts and speaks out of His holy character.
Session 2: Holiness Recognized | Isaiah 6:1-8 (10/20/15)
Recognizing God’s holiness begins with
me recognizing your own sinfulness. Isaiah had a unique
encounter with God in His holiness. When we hold God as the standard for holiness, it is
then that we see ourselves as sinners in need of God. When I recognize my own
sinfulness, I need to respond by confessing my sin. Confession simply means
that I am agreeing with God that I have not lived up to His standards. I have
blown it. I own up to my sin; I take personal responsibility. When we recognize
our sinfulness, it is then and there that we need to deal with it and confess
it before God. We cannot store it up until the next time we go to church. When
I confess my sin to God, I am surrendering to God’s call on my life. Surrendering
means that I am willing to make the necessary changes in my life so I am more
of a reflection of God’s holy character.
Session 3: Holiness Provided | Isaiah 64:6; 1 Peter 1:13-21 (10/27/15)
We cannot use our goodness as a standard for how holy we are. No matter
how good we think we are, we will always fall short of God’s standard. The only
person we should be comparing our holiness to is God. It is not good deeds, how many times we go to
church, or how many passages of Scripture we memorize that makes us holy. It is
Christ, and Him alone, who makes us holy. Why should we be holy? Because we are
called to be holy. As believers in Christ, pursuing holiness is not an option.
Session 4: Holiness Pursued | Ephesians 4:17–5:5 (11/3/15)
Pursuing holiness requires me to do away with the old self. We
cannot simply put a new self on over the old one. The old self and its ways
must be done away with. As we take off the old self, we must begin the
process of putting on the new self. The new self should reflect and
imitate God’s character and His ways. There is a
difference between the old nature and the new nature. When a believer comes to Christ there should
be a noticeable difference to others in their character as well as in their
behavior and actions. Pursuing holiness requires that we live it out on
a daily basis, not just when we feel like it.Parenting Teens is a monthly magazine designed to provide relevant information, practical ideas, and biblical encouragement to parents of teenagers. Go to www.lifeway.com/parentingteens.