Tag: bible

Leading an Unexamined Life

Building on our conversation last week about breaking free from the rat race, this week we’ll focus on the topic of “Leading an Unexamined Life”, which is the second chapter of “The Man in the Mirror.”

Today’s verse is from Lamentations 3:40 which says, “Let us examine our ways and test them, and let us return to the Lord.”

Understanding the Unexamined Life

The unexamined life, as discussed in our passage, reflects a journey without introspection, where actions and decisions are made without the deliberate consideration of one’s values, purpose, or the alignment of these with God’s will. It reminds me of the saying “if you fail to plan, you are planning to fail”. This can lead us away from the path God intends for us, resulting in a life filled with missed opportunities for growth, fulfillment, service, and building strong friendships!

The Tombstone Testimony

This chapter discusses the topic of legacy and the signs/indications of a life well-lived. Our desire to be remembered as “a good and faithful servant” underscores the essence of leading an examined life. This is a life that consistently reflects on how our actions, relationships, and faith align with God’s expectations and our true calling.

The Journey of Faith

As we mature in our faith journey, our trust and commitment to Jesus should deepen, moving from a conceptual belief to a guiding force in our life. This shift is an essential part of transitioning from an unexamined to an examined life, where our daily choices and our overarching life direction are intentionally aligned with our faith.

The Call to Discipleship

This chapter also discussed the importance of discipleship in preventing the pitfalls of an unexamined life. Discipleship, characterized by mentorship, guidance, and accountability, helps us navigate our faith journey, ensuring we remain true to our Christian values and God’s plan for us.

Embracing the Examined Life

In our goal to move toward living examined life, we commit to a journey of frequent reflection, which reminds us to align our values and our daily actions. It’s a path marked by a willingness to ask tough questions, to face our imperfections, and to grow in faith and character under God’s guidance. This chapter challenges us to look beyond the superficial, to dig deeper into our faith, and to live in a way that, when our time comes, we too might hear the words, “Well done, good and faithful servant.”

Questions:

  1. Based on today’s lesson, would you say you are living a life that is closer to the examined or unexamined end of the spectrum?
  2. Reflecting on the “tombstone testimony,” what words or phrases do you hope might define your life?
  3. As a follow up to question #2, does your vision of how you want to be remembered influence your daily choices and long-term goals? If so, in what ways?
  4. How can this group help those who want more discipleship and accountability in their lives? What are some simple but powerful things group members can start doing that will move us in this direction?
  5. Facing the Mirror: If you are comfortable sharing, what discrepancies do you find between the “visible you” and the “real you”? How can you bring these into closer alignment?

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?

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?