Lesson 13 - Going On and On and On

Lesson 13 - Going On and On and On

What meant the most to you from this chapter or helped you think more accurately about God’s character and the truth of His Word?

What offered you the greatest challenge or blessing, and why?

Say “no” to the past and “yes” to the present and what is at hand.

Where are you Going?

“Where am I going?” is the question a focused Christian would ask.  It is a question regarding God’s purpose.

 

Read again the characteristics of a forward-moving, focused Christian. 

•   They know where they are going.

•  They have a sense of God’s call on their lives, which gives them sure direction each step of the way and makes decision-making easier.

•  They understand the purpose of their lives.

•  They focus on God and God-given goals, which makes it easier to say “no” to what is trivial.

•  They choose wisely from among their options, which moves toward life goals.

Energy = great secret to success!  A forward focus gives us greater energy for reaching our goals….God’s goals.

Energy is not wasted on wondering what to do or on wandering aimlessly from option to option.

A God-confidence blossoms as we gain more certainty about what to do and about God’s enabling power to serve wherever He has placed us.

Knowing where we are headed and why is the kind of focus Paul calls us to in Philippians 3:13-14.

Which one of these characteristics do you need to work on?

What first step can you take right away?

Where is Your Focus?

All energy should be committed to the race you are running:  spiritual, mental , emotional, and physical.

The race is…to those things which are ahead!

Life is a race…by God’s grace…do your very best to run it for and with Him.

Ask yourself these three questions from time to time:

•   Am I focusing my efforts toward the prize that awaits at the end, or am I too content watching other people’s efforts?

•   Am I “training” regularly and “working out” in the daily disciplines of the Christian life?

•   Am I properly fueling my body with sleep, nutrition, and exercise for maximum results?

Running the race -- living for Christ and growing into His image -- requires focus and discipline.

Which area of focus do you need to work on today? 

What first step can you take right away?

Paul knew the human tendency to rest, relax, and remember the past.  Read Philippians 3:13-14 and 1 Corinthians 9:25-27 to see what Paul was doing to continue moving toward the goal he focused on.

List the two or three that mean the most to you.

Focusing on the Present

Read Hebrews 12:1-2.  Verse 1 mentions the weight and sin that keep people from reaching forward toward God.  What are some activities or interests that keep you from running a better race?

Verse 2 mentions looking to Jesus.  What changes in your mental attitude and focus would help you pursue God’s purpose with more passion and concentration?

Can you say that all of your effort and energy is focused on God?  What would make this statement more true of you?

Recognizing God’s Purpose for You

How would you answer these questions?

•  Who am I? - I am a Christian woman, wife, mother, grandmother…

•  Where did I come from? - I was “in him before the foundation of the world” (Ephesians 1:4)

•  Why am I here? - I am here to give my life in service to God, my family and His people.

•  Where am I going? - by God’s amazing grace and love, I am going to heaven!

Loving God…Even More

Read this section in your book again.  As you consider the contents of this chapter and God’s amazing love for you, what can you do this week, in obedience to Christ…

          …to press for the prize?

          …to remember to forget?

          …to love God with all your mind?

With the goal in view, I press on..