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DRUG ABUSEBIBLE 4 -4

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WORSHIP

L Holy God, holy and mighty, holy and immortal, C have mercy and hear us.

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever and ever. Amen  

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Worship - 2

C . I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord. He was conceived by the power of the

HOLY SPIRIT AND BORN OF THE VIRGIN MARY. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended into hell. On the third day he rose again. He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen

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Worship - 3

L Show us your mercy, O Lord, C and grant us your salvation. L Clothe your ministers with righteousness. C Let your people sing with joy. L Give peace, O Lord, in all the world; C for only in you can we live in safety. L Lord, keep this nation under your care, C and guide us in the way of justice and truth. L Let your way be known upon earth; C your saving health among all nations. L Let not the needy, O Lord, be forgotten, C nor the hope of the poor be taken away. L Create in us clean hearts, O God, C and sustain us with your Holy Spirit.   L The Lord be with you. C And also with you.

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Worship - 4

L We give thanks to you, heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ your dear Son, that you have this day so graciously

protected us. We beg you to forgive us all our sins and the wrong which

we have done. By your great mercy defend us from all the perils and dangers of this night. Into your hands we commend our bodies and souls, and all that is ours.

Let your holy angels have charge of us, that the wicked one have no power over us.

C Amen L Let us bless the Lord. C Thanks be to God. L The + Lord bless us, defend us from all evil, and bring us to

everlasting life. C Amen

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Experience

Make a list…Reasons to drink, smoke, do drugs…

Reasons for:

Reasons against:

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Discussion & reflection:

Does God say there is a good reason to use drugs?

1 Timothy 5:23 (No longer drink only water, but use a little

wine for the sake of your stomach and your frequent ailments.)

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Discussion & Reflection:

2/3 of American kids try an illegal drug before they finish high school. If alcohol is included, the number is closer to 90% (alcohol is illegal for high-school kids).

1/3 of American kids try an illegal drug other than marijuana before they finish high school.

The leading cause of death at ages 15-24 is drunk driving.

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Discussion & reflection:

1 Corinthians 5:11 But now I am writing to you not to associate

with anyone who bears the name of brother if he is guilty of sexual immorality or greed, or is an idolater, reviler, drunkard, or swindler—not even to eat with such a one.

Ephesians 5:18 And do not get drunk with wine, for that is

debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit,

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Discussion & reflection:

Galatians 5:21 Envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like

these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

1 Corinthians 6:10 Nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards,

nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.

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Discussion & reflection:

Isaiah 5:11 Woe to those who rise early in the morning,

that they may run after strong drink, who tarry late into the evening as wine inflames them!

Proverbs 20:1 Wine is a mocker, strong drink a brawler, and

whoever is led astray by it is not wise.

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Discussion & reflection:

A. StimulantsThese stimulate the nervous system, including the brain.

This mainly includes amphetamines ("speed," "uppers," "dexies," "bennies," etc.). Some people classify cocaine here, but others view it as a narcotic.

Short-term effects (immediate effects under the influence of the drug):

Blurred vision, sleeplessness, anxiety, moodiness, and a high (intoxication) with a false sense of self-confidence, power, and well-being.

Can produce hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that are not present), delusions (irrational thought), paranoia (thinking people are out to get you), or violent behavior. Overdoses can cause death.

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Discussion & reflection:

Long-term hazards (after the immediate effects have worn off):

Can cause ulcers, malnutrition, brain damage, lung disease, heart disease, stroke, or kidney disease.

Can produce dependence with a strong urge to continue use, even feeling it is necessary to function. Some take the drugs just to avoid the depression that comes when the effect wears off. Can lead to "tolerance," needing increasingly greater amounts to get the same effect.

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Discussion & reflection:

B. Sedatives/HypnoticsOpposite to stimulants, these depress the nervous

system, including the brain. Includes barbiturates ("barbs," "downers"). Heroin, other opiates, and marijuana are sometimes classified here.

Short-term effects:Intoxication with slurred speech, staggering, and

poor judgment and reflexes. Large doses can cause unconsciousness or death. User may become so confused he takes more drugs without realizing the consequences.

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Discussion & reflection:

Long-term effects:Addiction is common. Users think they must

have the drug to function. Obtaining drugs becomes the main function of life. Tolerance requires greater amounts to get the same effect. Stopping causes extreme withdrawal effects (can be worse than heroin withdrawal): anxiety, convulsions, even death.

If pregnant mothers use sedatives, babies may have birth defects, behavioral problems, withdrawal symptoms.

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Discussion & reflection:

C. Hallucinogens (Psychedelics) These affect the brain causing one to lose touch with reality,

seeing and hearing things not present (hallucinations). Includes LSD, mescaline, PCP, etc.

Short-term effects: Effects are unpredictable. Rapid mood swings, loss of sense of

reality, seeing and hearing unreal things; panic, confusion, anxiety. Bizarre, violent, and dangerous behavior can result (such as thinking one can fly, so he jumps off a tall building).

LSD can cause flashbacks in which the effects are repeated days or weeks after it was taken.

Long-term effects: Possible brain damage, impaired memory, mental confusion.

Dangerous acts while under the influence can lead to injury or death.

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Discussion & reflection:

D. NarcoticsThis includes derivatives of the opium plant: opium,

morphine, codeine, and heroin. Some are used medically as pain relievers. Some authorities include cocaine in this category.

Short-term effects:Intoxication or high, with a false sense of well-being. May

alternate between drowsiness and alertness. Large doses can cause death.

Long-term effects:Addiction is almost certain. Finding the drug becomes the

main focus of life. Tolerance requires larger doses to get the same effect. Eventually the user needs the drug just to function and avoid withdrawal.

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Discussion & reflection:

E. MarijuanaSimilar in effect to several of the groups above, this is

listed separately because it is the most commonly used drug, and some have denied it is dangerous. Also called "grass," "pot," "weed," "Mary Jane," etc., its most active ingredient is THC. Modern marijuana is ten times stronger than that of the early 70's.

Short-term effects:A high (intoxication) with a false sense of well-being.

Impairs memory, concentration, coordination, and judgment. Loss of interest or ability to do school work or job. It is as dangerous as alcohol in causing accidents, and the two taken together are especially dangerous.

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Discussion & reflection:

Long-term effects:Psychological dependence, difficult to limit

use, tolerance (need more to get the same effect). Drug use may become the most important thing in life, may lead to problems on the job or in school or in relationships.

Other sources claim there is permanent damage to the brain, with permanent loss of willpower, memory, etc. Regular use by an expectant mother can kill the baby. Smoking damages the lungs like cigarettes do.

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Discussion & reflection:

1 Peter 1:13 Therefore, preparing your minds for action,

and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

1 Peter 5:8 Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your

adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.

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Discussion & reflection:

Romans 12:1 I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the

mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.

Ephesians 5:11 Take no part in the unfruitful works of

darkness, but instead expose them.