Dear Saddleback Family,

Use the Message Action Plan below to help put the things you learned this weekend into practice. If you missed last weekend's message, click here to watch it online.

ARE YOU LEARNING FROM THOSE
WHO CAME BEFORE YOU?
Life of Daniel: Thriving in the Tests of Life — Part 7
Rick Warren
October 1-2, 2016

DANIEL'S REPUTATION

(The queen said) "This man Daniel . . . has a sharp mind and is filled with knowledge and understanding. He can interpret dreams, explain the meaning of mysteries and solve difficult problems. Call for Daniel, and he will tell you what it means." Daniel 5:12

(The king said) "I have heard that the Spirit of God is in you, that you possess brilliant knowledge and extraordinary wisdom." Daniel 5:14

"Always remember what you have learned. Your education is your life, so guard it well." Proverbs 4:13 (TEV)

HOW CAN I BECOME WISE LIKE DANIEL?

1. MAKE A COMMITMENT TO NEVER STOP LEARNING

"Commit yourself to instruction; and tune in your ears to hear words of knowledge." Proverbs 23:12

"If an ax is dull and its edge is unsharpened, more strength is needed but skill will bring success." Ecclesiastes 10:10 (NIV)

"Do yourself a favor and learn all you can; then remember what you learn and you will prosper." Proverbs 19:8 (TEV)

Action Plan: Think of a new skill that you could learn this Fall and give yourself a plan to learn it (ex. Begin to play an instrument, learn how to use a new tool, learn a new useful computer program, etc.). Share what you want to do with a friend and ask them to check-in with you on it throughout the rest of the year.





2. LEARN THE LESSONS OF THE PRIOR GENERATION

"Ask the former generations and find out what their fathers learned, for we were born only yesterday and we know so little." Job 8:8-9

"These things occurred as examples to warn us and keep us from wanting to do the same evil thing they did. For Scripture says that we should avoid drunken parties, sexual immorality, and worshiping things that aren't God . . . We should not test the Lord's patience or grumble and complain as some did and died . . . These things happened as examples and were written down
as warnings for us. . ." 1 Corinthians 10:6-11

Action Plan: Prayerfully consider asking somebody older than you to be your mentor. Give this person permission to speak into your life as your learn the lessons of the prior generation.





3. MAINTAIN A HUMBLE ATTITUDE THAT HONORS GOD

"Reverence for the Lord is an education in itself. You must be humble before you can ever receive honors." Proverbs 15:33 (TEV)

"God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble." James 4:6b (NIV)





4. REFUSE TO FILL YOUR MIND WITH GARBAGE

"A wise person is hungry for truth, while the fool feeds on trash."
Proverbs 15:14 (NLT)

Action Plan: Install a free Bible audio app on your favorite device where the verses are read to you. Replace one hour of television a day and listen to several chapters of a book of the Bible instead. Listen for repeating thoughts and themes the author is highlighting.





5. PUT INTO PRACTICE WHAT YOU HAVE LEARNED

King Belshazzar lost everything because he failed to do this.

Daniel said, "King Belshazzar, even though you knew all that happened to your 'father' (Nebuchadnezzar) you DIDN'T LEARN from his life and you
STILL REFUSED to humble yourself (before God) who rules from heaven." Daniel 5:22

Action Plan: Choose somebody to go through the Message Action Plan with every week. Hold each other accountable to put the application points into practice.



King Belshazzar made 3 fatal mistakes



THE LESSON
If I don't humbly learn from generations before me,
I will end up MAKING THE SAME MISTAKES.

"Some people have missed the most important thing in life – they don't know God!" 1 Timothy 6:21a (LB)