Session Two - Making Good Decisions

Throughout our lifetime, we are asked to make all kinds of decisions, and certainly some are bigger decisions than others. Reflect on the types of decisions you have made in your life, and how you have made them.

We are faced with so many decisions and choices. From pondering the different food options in the grocery store to navigating the long list of majors to choose in college, sometimes the decision process itself can seem overwhelming. But at some point, we need to purchase groceries to have meals at home, and we need to choose a major in order to graduate from college. Choices are important, and they require us to change.

One thing that makes a decision difficult is that it closes the doors to other choices. Every decision we make involves cutting off some good or some possibility, so the eliminating decision is always painful. To accept a new job teaching in another state means saying ‘no’ to a role coaching summer track for your high school alma mater.

Finally, decisions can be difficult because we cannot always see the consequences to the choice.  If I choose to not go out to the bar with my friend, will my friend be angry? If I accept this job in a new town, how will that affect other areas of my life? If I can’t make friends in the new town, what will I do? Many of our decisions involve risks, and risks we may not be able to anticipate.

We all have faced the question about what to do with our life. At some point, we need to make the decision.

There are some basic steps to take in making a good decision. We identify the decision that needs to be made, gather relevant information and identify the alternative choice that could be made. Then we weigh the evidence gathered, create a pros and cons list, and make the choice. Next, we have to act. A decision will go nowhere without action. Finally, it’s important to review our decision. Did we make the best decision or was it the wrong decision? Do we continue on this path, or is it time to change?

These questions may offer insights to consider your personal decision making process:

1. How do you make decisions?
2. Do you tend to make spontaneous decisions, or do you typically procrastinate?
3. Think of someone you consider to be a decisive person. What traits do they possess that seem to help their decision making process?
4. In retrospect, we’ve all made poor decisions. What have been some consequences of poor decisions you have made, and what have you learned?
5. Who is the person you most often seek out for wisdom and insight when you are making key decisions? What qualities do they possess that assist with the decision making process?
6. Looking back, what were factors that contributed to making good decision in the past?  

Spending time in prayer is an important part of key decisions. Choose a scripture passage below for further reflection.

• Joshua 24:14-15
• Mark 10:46-52
• Deuteronomy 6:1-9
• John 1:35-50
• Luke 4:1-13

Other reading:

Connecting Point – Summer 2018 -  The Practical Work of Quiet