Month: January 2024

Embracing the Eternal over the Momentary

Today’s topic was inspired by Scott Edwards who bravely fought brain cancer for many years but ultimately passed away last week. Many of you in this group likely attended his funeral yesterday. His life was a great example of how we should dedicate ourselves to eternal purposes and not to short-lived or materialistic pursuits. So, we dedicate this lesson to Scott and the legacy of love and faith he left behind as he entered the gates of heaven.

We talked recently about how easy it is to get caught up in the worries and distractions of our daily existence. Yet, 2 Corinthians 4:17-18 offers a meaningful perspective, urging us to look beyond the immediate: “For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” Today we’ll focus on three key elements from this verse – minimizing worry, being present, and focusing on the eternal.

Finding Peace in the Midst of Turmoil

1. Embracing a Worry-Free Life: Our earthly troubles, though they may seem overwhelming, are described as “light and momentary” in the grand scheme of God’s plan. This perspective invites us to surrender our worries to God, trusting in His eternal wisdom and plan.

2. Being Present in Every Moment: In a world that’s constantly rushing towards the next big thing, this verse reminds us of the value of being present. Every day is an opportunity to experience God’s love and to showcase that love to others.

3. Focusing on the Eternal: Our culture often emphasizes material success and visible achievements. However, what truly matters is often unseen – the growth of our spirit, the love we share, and the faith that guides us.

Applying Eternal Perspectives in Daily Life

Not Worrying: How can we practically shift our focus from worry to trust in God’s plan? It involves a daily commitment to prayer, reflection, and consciously choosing to trust in God’s promises.

Being Present: It’s not just about physically being there, but also about being emotionally and spiritually engaged with those around us. It can be as simple as truly listening to someone or as profound as being fully aware of God’s presence in every moment possible.

Focusing on the Eternal: This means prioritizing our spiritual growth and the well-being of others over worldly gains. It’s about making choices that align with our faith and eternal destiny, not just with immediate desires or societal expectations.

Questions:

1. How effectively do you let go of worries and focus on God’s eternal plan in your daily life? If you are skilled in this area, please share some of your tips with the group.

2. “On paper” being present is so simple. So why is it so hard for us to master?

3. Can you share an experience where being fully present in the moment led to a deeper spiritual insight or personal connection?

4. In what ways can we encourage each other to prioritize eternal values over temporary successes? How can we best support each other in this worth pursuit?

5. How does the distinction between what is seen and unseen affect your decision-making and life priorities?

Happiness and Our Connection to God

Why would we discuss happiness in a Christian Men’s group? After all, the Bible emphasizes Joy, and not happiness, as a priority. This linked article describes the difference between Joy and Happiness in more depth if you are interested. This lesson aims to explore a more nuanced understanding of ‘happiness’ and how it intertwines with our faith and spiritual journey.

In Karl Pillemer’s book “30 Lessons for Living”, the author shares his research about why older Americans are generally happier than younger ones. He interviewed hundreds of people in their 70s and 80s and their number one lesson was that life is short. The older the respondent, Pillemer said, the more likely they were to say that life passes by in what seems like an instant.

Here is a list of the most common responses Pillemer found:

  • Say things now to people you care about whether it’s expressing gratitude, asking forgiveness, or getting information
  • Spend the maximum amount of time with your children
  • Savor daily pleasures instead of waiting for big ticket items to make you happy
  • Work in a job you love

The list of things they said weren’t important was equally revealing:

  • None said that to be happy you should work as hard as you can to get money
  • None said it was important to be as wealthy as the people around you
  • None said you should choose your career based on its earning potential
  • None said they regretted not getting even with someone who slighted them
  • And the biggest regret people had was worrying about things that never happened

Pillemer’s most important takeaways were that happiness is a choice that requires a conscious shift in outlook; you can decide what to pursue in life. You can decide what’s a priority for you.

But to understand why we’re discussing happiness in a Christian setting, go back and look at the lists above more closely. If we believe Jesus’ words that the most important things are 1) loving God and 2) loving people (Matthew 22:37-40), you can start to see the true wisdom and, most importantly, the connection to God that’s reflected in the words of these older Americans.

The top responses in the first list are focused primarily on love, people, presence, and gratitude. The “not-important” list includes things that could arguably be categorized as modern-day idols like working excessive hours, money/wealth/income, limitless career aspirations, revenge/fairness, and worry.

So then, today’s lesson is not really about choosing happiness, it’s about choosing God. When we choose modern-day idols, we are separated from God, but when we choose love, people, and gratitude, we are drawn closer to Him. I personally don’t believe it’s a coincidence that the first list above just happens to reflect actions that draw us closer to God. I believe that no matter how many idols we worship in our life, in our heart we know who our Father is and, the older and wiser we get, the more we naturally want to say no to the idols and yes to God!

Questions

  1. Do you believe that Karl Pillemer’s conclusions above on happiness seem logical/reasonable? If so, were you surprised at the responses?
  2. Do you agree that the responses in the second list primarily fall into what could be called “modern day idols”? Why or why not?
  3. How does the realization that life is short influence your daily decisions and priorities? Discuss how this perspective aligns with Christian values.
  4. Do you agree that the first list above draws us closer to God and the second list may distract us from God?
  5. How does the Christian faith help in coping with regrets and worries, especially about things that never happen? Discuss the role of faith in overcoming these negative thoughts.

Aligning Our Resolutions with our Faith

As we usher in another new year, it’s common for many of us to set resolutions. But have you ever wondered how this tradition aligns with our Christian faith? In this post, we’ll explore the concept of New Year’s resolutions from a Christian viewpoint and how we can use this tradition to enhance our spiritual journey. New Year’s resolutions, while secular in nature, can have deep spiritual implications when viewed through the lens of faith.

Aligning Resolutions with Christian Values

1. Spiritual Growth: Consider resolutions that enhance your spiritual life. This could be committing to daily prayer, regular Bible study, or participating more actively in church activities.

2. Serving Others: Jesus taught us the importance of serving others. Your resolutions could involve volunteering at a local charity, helping neighbors, or simply being more present and available for people in need.

3. Improving Personal Virtues: Think about personal virtues like patience, kindness, humility, and self-control. Setting goals to improve in these areas can be an effective way to live out Christian values.

4. Physical Health: Our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). Resolutions around better physical health – whether it’s eating healthier, exercising more, or quitting harmful habits – honor this biblical principle.

5. Family and Relationships: Strengthening family bonds and mending strained relationships can also be a focus. The Bible places great emphasis on the value of family and loving relationships.

Challenges and Staying the Course

It’s common to face challenges or even fail in keeping up with resolutions but every day is a new beginning in God’s grace. Persistence, prayer, and reliance on God’s strength are key to successfully sticking with resolutions. It’s also helpful to remember that resolutions are not just about personal improvement, but about growing closer to God and living out His will in our lives.

In the spirit of New Year’s resolutions and personal transformation, it’s essential to reflect on the important message found in 2 Corinthians 5:17, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” This verse reminds us that our journey in faith is not just about superficial changes or temporary resolutions. It’s about a deep, transformative process that occurs when we truly embrace our faith in Christ. As new creations in Christ, we’re called to shed our old ways, habits, and sins, and embrace a life that reflects His love, grace, and truth. This transformation is at the heart of our Christian walk.

Questions:

1. What Christian values/concepts are important to consider when setting New Year’s resolutions?

2. How can you align your personal goals for the year with your spiritual life?

3. Do you have an example of a time when you struggled with a resolution and how your faith helped you to overcome that challenge.

4. How can we support each other in our community in achieving our resolutions?

5. What role does prayer and reliance on God play in setting and achieving your New Year’s resolutions?