Group Notes | January 3

Finding Your Place in 2016
January 3, 2016
Pastor Jonathan Falwell

Open:

Keeping focused on priorities is a never-ending challenge! Can you give some examples of distractions that tend to throw you off balance, and divert your attention?

Last week we looked at a checklist that can help us concentrate on a strong relationship with our Lord. Today we will look at our goals for this new year, finding where God wants us, and then committing ourselves to accomplishing His will.

Discuss:

Personality

  1. Most people would prefer to live life without “hurts, habits or hang-ups” that detract from who we want to be. What will it take for you to realize God made you just as He desired? Read Psa. 139:14a.
  2. Do you think God cannot use you as you are? If this is so, why not? Does anyone recall how Moses reacted when God called him to lead Israel out of Egypt?

Learn

  1. Read John 17:1-3. How can we get a deep, intimate knowledge of God unless we spend time reading His Word and talking to Him? What is His will for us in this area?

Abilities

  1. Share an ability or God-given gift that He has blessed you with, and tell how you are using this gift to glorify Him.
  2. Read 1 Cor. 7:7. Who is given gifts or talents by God? Does that include you?

Connect

  1. Read Prov. 18:1 and Heb. 10:25. What is God’s will for us so far as meeting regularly with other believers? Why is this important?

Experience

  1. God tells us in Matt. 25:14-29 that our talents will do us no good if we do not use them. Do you have an example of this truth?

Practical Principles for Achievement

  • Never confuse being busy with accomplishment
  • The bridge between vision and accomplishment is discipline
  • Passion overcomes obstacles
  • Embrace change

Close:

As we break up into small groups, we want to remember that our goal for 2016 should be that we live “generously.” We not only want a strong, personal relationship with our God, we want to be effective Christians who tell our story, who find God’s will for our lives, and then take the steps to ensure that we fulfill His purpose for us. That takes being confident that we are made uniquely by Him just the way He wants us, and being available to serve Him with a whole heart. Pray that you begin this very week, if you have not already.

Focal Passage: John 17:1-3

Memory Verse: Matthew 15:8: “These people draw near to Me with their mouths, and honor Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me.”

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