In "Doctrinal Discussion" Dr. Gayle Woods writes...

A self-disciplined person’s actions are rational responses rather than an emotional or impulsive response. He will even at times put aside the possibility of pleasure and comfort in order to do what is most important at the moment.
Our instant gratification, fast-food, fast-paced society wants a quick fix for every problem. The wise understand, however, that to succeed spiritually, you must be more deliberate and take the route of self-discipline.

Discussion: What attitudes must we adopt to take "the route of self-discipline"?
Source: Biblical Family Values, Adult Teacher's Insights, page 32.

"And she made him sleep upon her knees; and she called for a man, and she caused him to shave off the seven locks of his head; and she began to afflict him, and his strength went from him. And she said, The Philistines be upon thee, Samson. And he awoke out of his sleep, and said, I will go out as at other times before, and shake myself. And he wist not that the LORD was departed from him." (Judges 16:19-20)

In "Biblical Perspective" Dr. Gordon Snider writes...

When we place ourselves in a position to bring embarrassment to the cause of God, our strength will leave us as well.

It is difficult to understand how people in flagrant disobedience to God’s commands assume that God will ignore their disobedience and be faithful to His part when they have not been faithful on their part. But it happens every day.

Discussion: How can God's people be so oblivious both to the shame they bring to God's cause as well as to the condemnation of God they receive when they willfully disobey God's Word?
Source: Biblical Family Values, Adult Teacher's Insights, page 29.

In "Word Focus", Dr. Glenn McClure focuses on the phrase "striveth for the mastery" (1 Corinthians 9:25) and writes:

Paul’s emphasis on self-control is expressed by G. G. Findlay: “Entering the race is not winning it; do not be satisfied with running, but make sure of winning — so run that you may secure (the prize)!” (Exp. Gk. Test.). So, Paul’s focus was on the word egkrateuetai (is temperate). These athletes trained for ten months prior to the Great Games, and under oath followed a prescribed diet and a vigorous control of passions. They did all they could “to make their bodies vigorous, active, and supple” (Barnes). This included abstaining from both unlawful and lawful indulgences.
If an athlete can do this just to win a wreath that will wither after one day, what should the Christian do to win an eternal crown?

Discussion: To what lengths should the Christian go to win life's race?
Source: Biblical Family Values, Adult Teacher's Insights, page 28.

"Now therefore give me this mountain, whereof the LORD spake in that day; for thou heardest in that day how the Anakim were there, and that the cities were great and fenced: if so be the LORD will be with me, then I shall be able to drive them out, as the LORD said." (Joshua 14:12)
David Woods writes in "God's Word for Today":

The most admirable aspect of Caleb's bold request to receive the inheritance God had promised was not his age, his perseverance for forty-five long years in the wilderness, or his courageous stand when the rest of the nation wanted to return to Egypt. Rather, Caleb's confident attitude is seen most now, having that past, asking for one of the most difficult areas of Israel in which he might settle.
The land Caleb wanted was mountainous. It was filled with the Anakim, the giants that scared the ten spies so many years before, and the remnants of which settled in Philistine territory.

Discussion: When you have your choice of challenges, do you choose the most difficult or the easiest?
Source: Biblical Family Values, Adult Teacher's Insights, page 24.

"As yet I am as strong this day as I was in the day that Moses sent me: as my strength was then, even so is my strength now, for war, both to go out, and to come in." (Joshua 14:11)
In "God's Word for Today" for this lesson, David Woods asks the obvious question:

Do you think his estimation of himself was overstated? If we think Caleb was exaggerating (whether he was or wasn’t), what does our attitude say about ourselves?

Discussion: How can we develop and maintain such a positive and confident attitude toward life?
Source: Biblical Family Values, Adult Teacher's Insights, page 24.

"Nevertheless my brethren that went up with me made the heart of the people melt: but I wholly followed the LORD my God." (Joshua 14:8)
In "Biblical Perspective" for this week's lesson, Dr. Gordon Snider notes: