You are entering adulthood. The decisions you make in these years will shape the rest of your life. This course prepares you to:
Discover and pursue your calling from Yahuah
Develop godly leadership character
Practice discernment in an age of deception
Prepare for marriage, career, and ministry
"For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says Yahuah, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end." - Jeremiah 29:11
1Understanding Your Calling
What Is a Calling?
A calling is not just a career choice - it's the unique purpose for which Yahuah created you. It includes:
Universal calling: What all believers are called to (love Yahuah, follow Yahusha, keep Torah)
Personal calling: Your specific gifts, passions, and role in His Kingdom
"For we are His workmanship, created in Messiah Yahusha unto good works, which Elohim has before ordained that we should walk in them." - Ephesians 2:10
Discovering Your Calling
Four Questions to Ask
What are you good at? (Abilities/Skills)
What do you love doing? (Passions/Interests)
What needs do you see around you? (Opportunities)
What do others affirm in you? (Confirmation)
Where these four intersect is often where your calling lies.
Biblical Examples of Calling
Moses: Called to lead Israel out of Egypt - he didn't feel qualified!
David: Called as a young shepherd to become king
Jeremiah: Called before he was born (Jeremiah 1:5)
Paul: Called to bring the Gospel to the Gentiles
Notice: Calling often comes with difficulty, not comfort.
Common Mistakes About Calling
"I need a dramatic sign" - Usually calling becomes clear through process
"My calling must be 'ministry'" - All legitimate work can honor Yahuah
"I'm too young to know" - Start where you are, Yahuah will guide
"Money/prestige should guide my choice" - These are worldly, not godly criteria
Personal Reflection
1. What are you good at? (List at least 3 abilities)
2. What do you love doing? (What energizes you?)
3. What needs in the world burden you?
4. What have others affirmed or noticed in you?
2Biblical Leadership
Leadership Redefined
The world's model of leadership: power, prestige, people serving you
Yahusha's model of leadership: service, sacrifice, serving others
"But Yahusha called them unto him, and said... whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister; And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant." - Matthew 20:25-27
Characteristics of Godly Leaders
From 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1
Blameless: Above reproach in reputation
Self-controlled: Master of their own spirit
Hospitable: Welcoming to others
Able to teach: Can communicate truth effectively
Not greedy: Money doesn't drive decisions
Manages household well: Faithful in small things
Good reputation with outsiders: Non-believers respect them
Not a new convert: Tested and proven
Marks of False Leadership
Uses position for personal gain
Lords authority over others
Cannot accept correction or accountability
Private life contradicts public image
Surrounds self with "yes-men"
Takes credit, deflects blame
Yahusha as the Model Leader
Washed His disciples' feet (John 13)
Spent time with the outcasts
Told the truth even when unpopular
Gave His life for those He led
Never sought prestige or position
Self-Assessment
Rate yourself 1-5 on these leadership qualities (1=weak, 5=strong):
Humility: ___ | Integrity: ___ | Service orientation: ___
Which area needs the most growth? What will you do about it?
3Developing Discernment
What Is Discernment?
Discernment is the ability to judge well - to distinguish truth from error, wisdom from foolishness, right from wrong. In an age of unprecedented deception, this is essential.
"But strong meat belongs to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil." - Hebrews 5:14
How Discernment Develops
The Process
Know Scripture deeply: The standard against which everything is measured
Practice application: Apply Scripture to real situations
Learn from wise mentors: Those with proven discernment
Study history: Learn from past deceptions and how they were exposed
Pray for wisdom: James 1:5 - "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of Elohim"
Exercise your senses: Practice evaluating everything you encounter
Areas Requiring Discernment
What to Evaluate
Teaching: Does it align with Scripture in context?
People: Are they trustworthy? What is their fruit?
Decisions: What is the wise path forward?
Culture: What worldview is being promoted?
Spirits: Is this from Yahuah or the enemy? (1 John 4:1)
Signs of Poor Discernment
Believing something because it sounds good or feels right
Following charismatic personalities without testing their teaching
Accepting "new revelations" that contradict Scripture
Unable to identify logical fallacies or manipulation
Influenced easily by emotional appeals
"Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of Elohim: because many false prophets are gone out into the world." - 1 John 4:1
Practice Discernment
Think of a popular teaching, trend, or belief. Evaluate it:
The claim/teaching:
What Scripture says about it:
Your discernment - true or false? Why?
4Making Major Decisions
The Decisions Ahead
In the next few years, you'll likely make decisions about:
Education (college? Trade? Apprenticeship?)
Career direction
Marriage partner (or singleness)
Where to live
How to spend your resources
How do you make these decisions wisely?
"Trust in Yahuah with all your heart; and lean not unto your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths." - Proverbs 3:5-6
A Biblical Decision-Making Framework
Seven Steps
Pray: Commit the decision to Yahuah
Search Scripture: What principles apply?
Gather information: Research thoroughly
Seek counsel: Ask wise, godly people
Consider circumstances: What doors are open/closed?
Examine motives: Why do you want this?
Decide and trust: Make the best decision and trust Yahuah with the outcome
Decision-Making Traps
Analysis paralysis: Waiting for 100% certainty (it rarely comes)
Emotional decisions: Choosing based on feelings alone
Following the crowd: Doing what everyone else does
Ignoring counsel: Thinking you know best
Fear of failure: Not deciding is also a decision
The Peace Test
"Let the peace of Elohim rule in your hearts" (Colossians 3:15)
After following the steps above, do you have peace about the decision? Peace isn't the only factor, but lack of peace is a warning sign.
Practice: A Current Decision
What is a decision you're currently facing?
Apply the framework - what do Scripture, counsel, circumstances, and your motives indicate?
5Relationships & Marriage Preparation
The Most Important Human Decision
After following Yahusha, who you marry (if you marry) is likely the most consequential decision of your life. It affects everything: your children, your ministry, your daily life, your growth.
"Whoso finds a wife finds a good thing, and obtains favor of Yahuah." - Proverbs 18:22
"Be not unequally yoked together with unbelievers." - 2 Corinthians 6:14
Dishonesty in small things (will be big things later)
Disrespect toward parents or authority
Pressure for physical intimacy
Unwillingness to discuss important topics
Very different from how they act with others vs. you
"I can change them after marriage" - No, you can't
Preparing Now
What You Can Do Today
Become the person you'd want to marry
Develop your relationship with Yahuah first
Learn from godly marriages around you
Deal with your own character issues now
Guard your purity - it matters
Learn practical skills (cooking, finances, etc.)
Personal Inventory
What kind of person do you want to marry? (Character, not appearance)
Are you becoming that kind of person yourself? What needs to change?
6Worldview & Cultural Engagement
What Is a Worldview?
A worldview is the lens through which you interpret everything - your assumptions about reality, truth, morality, and meaning. Everyone has one, whether they know it or not.
The Biblical Worldview
Core Beliefs
God: Yahuah is the one true Creator, eternal, personal
Creation: The universe is created, not eternal or random
Humanity: Made in Yahuah's image, fallen, redeemable
Truth: Absolute, revealed in Scripture
Morality: Grounded in Yahuah's character and commands
History: Linear, moving toward Yahuah's purposes
Salvation: Through Yahusha alone, by grace through faith
Competing Worldviews
What You'll Encounter
Naturalism/Materialism: Only physical matter exists; no God
Postmodernism: No absolute truth; "your truth" and "my truth"
New Age/Spiritual: Many paths to "god"; you are divine
Islam: Allah alone; salvation through works
Secular Humanism: Humanity is the measure of all things
How to Engage Culture
Understand: Know what people actually believe
Evaluate: Test claims against Scripture and reason
Engage: Ask questions, have conversations
Present truth: Share the biblical worldview winsoMELY
Live distinctly: Your life is your greatest argument
"Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of Elohim, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Messiah." - 2 Corinthians 10:5
Worldview Analysis
Identify a belief you've encountered that conflicts with Scripture:
What worldview is it based on?
How would you respond biblically?
7Facing Opposition
Expect Opposition
If you follow Yahusha faithfully, you WILL face opposition. This is not a sign that something is wrong - it's a sign that you're doing something right.
"Yea, and all that will live godly in Messiah Yahusha shall suffer persecution." - 2 Timothy 3:12
"Blessed are you, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for My sake." - Matthew 5:11
Forms of Opposition
What You May Face
Social: Mockery, exclusion, loss of friendships
Academic: Lower grades for biblical positions
Professional: Passed over, fired, blacklisted
Family: Rejection from relatives
Legal: Restrictions on faith expression
Physical: In some places, violence
How to Respond
Biblical Responses to Persecution
Rejoice: "Blessed are you" - it means you're following Yahusha
Pray: For persecutors, for strength, for wisdom
Love: Don't return evil for evil
Stand firm: Don't compromise to avoid discomfort
Wise as serpents: Know your rights, use legal protections
Support each other: You're not alone
What NOT to Do
Hide your faith to avoid trouble
Respond with anger or hatred
Develop a victim mentality
Compromise "just this once"
Go looking for persecution (be wise)
"Fear none of those things which you shall suffer... be faithful unto death, and I will give you a crown of life." - Revelation 2:10
Personal Preparation
Have you ever faced opposition for your faith? Describe it:
What beliefs might you be called to defend in the future?
How will you prepare to stand firm?
8Living with Purpose
The Big Picture
You have one life. How will you spend it? Every day is a gift; every choice shapes your legacy. Live intentionally, not accidentally.
"So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom." - Psalm 90:12
Course Summary
What We've Learned
Calling: Yahuah has a purpose for your life - discover and pursue it
Leadership: Serve others, don't seek position
Discernment: Test everything against Scripture
Decisions: Use a biblical framework, trust Yahuah
Relationships: Choose wisely, prepare now
Worldview: Know what you believe and why
Opposition: Expect it, prepare for it, rejoice in it
Live with the End in Mind
One day you will stand before Yahusha. What do you want to hear?
"Well done, good and faithful servant... enter into the joy of your master." - Matthew 25:21
Live today in light of that day.
"I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith." - 2 Timothy 4:7
Final Reflection
What is the most important thing you learned from this course?
What is one specific change you will make in your life as a result?
Write a commitment statement - what kind of person do you want to become?
Write a prayer asking Yahuah to guide your future:
Course Completion
Teacher/Parent Notes
Course Goals
This course prepares students for adult life by developing character, wisdom, and practical skills. It's best taught through discussion, mentoring, and real-life application.