Getting Ready For the Race

Getting Ready for the Race?

"Running the Race of Life Lesson 2"

Discussion Guide

7-01-2012

Text:   Eph 6:11

11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil.

This week's lesson concerns the essential tools that you need to effectively run the race of life with God. Running the race requires, coaching(discipleing), clothing(armor of God), rules of the race(commandments), and of course, practice(application and living out the word of God daily).  All of these when put together help us live better lives for God.

Discussion Questions

1.            How have you prepared yourself for your Christian Life?

2.            Who has been your greatest encourager? Who are you coaching anyone presently?

3.            Why do we need encouragement?

4.            What must we clothes ourselves with as we run the race of life?

5.            What is the armor of light?

6.            Describe the full armor of God?

7.         Why do we need to practice different elements of the race?

8.            Why is a good ideas to know the rules of the game?

9.            What attitudes should we develop to be succesful in the run?

Scripture

•       Pr 1:2-3                                                 Col 3:12-16                                          Acts 2:42

•       Eph 6:4                                                 Eph. 4 23-24                                        Exodus 20:3-17

•       1 Th 4:1-2                                             Rom. 13:12-14                                   Matt 5: 21-43

•       1 Ti 1:5-6                                              Eph 6:11, 14-17                                  Ge 26:4-5

•       Ro 15:4-6                                             Col 2:2-4                                               Ro 13:1-3

Where Does the Race Begin?

Where Does the Race Begin?

"Running the Race of Life"

Discussion Guide

6-24-2012

Text:   Col. 1:16

16 For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities — all things have been created through Him and for Him

Lesson Summary

We are starting a series of lessons today concerning the Christian life. Our Christian life is compared to an athletic event by the apostle Paul.  He tells us to have stamina and hang in their during the race, for the race is an endurance event.  Today we are talking about getting into the race.  Sometimes, the hardest thing for us to do is to start. So let's start toward the race area and learn what we need to do to get in the race.

Discussion Questions

1.            Are you making a living or living a life?

2.            Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of happiness are ideals in our country? Are these good goals              for us to have as Christians?

3.            Where does the race really begin?

4.            What all was created by Jesus?

5.            Who is responsible to tell children about Jesus?

6.            Where can we learn about God if there is no one to teach the message to us?

7.         Who is responsible for each of us following God?

8.            When we decide to follow Jesus what commitments come next?

Scripture

Deuteronomy 6:4-9                        Psalm 19:2                                         Luke 9:23                            

Col. 1:16                                        Romans 10:8-16                               Acts 3:19

Psalm 139:13-16                            Matthew 19:14                                 Romans 6:2-7

Daddy, Abba, Father

Daddy, Abba, Father

Discussion Guide

6-17-2012

Text:   Proverbs 4:4-5

4 Then he taught me and said to me,

"Let your heart hold fast my words;

Keep my commandments and live;

5 Acquire wisdom! Acquire understanding!

Do not forget nor turn away from the words of my mouth.

NASU  

Lesson Summary

Fathers play a major role in the lives and development of their children.  Fathers must provide stability by making sure their children learn the word of God and have a relationship with God. They are not only father, but daddy.  They bring their children to the Lord's side in instruction, then teach compassion and love practically through their daily lives.

Discussion Questions

1.         What is the difference between Father and Daddy?

2.         What was the most disturbing stat on Fathers?

3.         Who seems most affected by not having a father in the home?

4.         What are some items in Paul Harvey's definition of a father that you found interesting?

5.         What is the primary responsibility of a Father?

6.         What is more important wisdom or understanding?

7.         What affect does wisdom have on our lives?

8.         What are 5 things wisdom does for us?

9.         What is the hardest task of fatherhood?

10.       What are the three most important tasks of fatherhood?

Scripture

Proverbs 4:3-9                         Hebrews 12:7

Ephesians 6:1-4                       Col 3:21

Exodus 20:12                           Deuteronomy 6:4-9

Don't Quit Before The Miracle

Don't Quit Before The Miracle

Discussion Guide

6-10-2012

Text:    Hebrews 12:1-13

1Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God

Lesson Summary

There are many things in this world that cause us to quit God.  Many times it boils down to distractions that cause us to lose focus.  Many times just we are about to have a breakthrough moment with God, the distractions cry out to us and we lose focus.  When we lose focus, we then swirl about and look for something new to grasp, usually it is not Jesus.  The sad thing about this process is that if we had allowed the breakthrough to happen we would have not had to struggle through all the issues.

Discussion Questions

1.         Have you ever experienced a breakthrough in your Christian walk where you feel like      you have taken it to the next level for Jesus?

2.         Have things of the world cried out to you and caused you to slide backwards away from God?

3.         Have you ever worried more about others issues and lives than your own?

4.         What are some "sin" issues that could get you off track?

5.         When you have gotten off course how can you come back to God?

6.         How do you keep running the race and not quit?

7.         What is the miracle worth waiting for?

Scripture

Hebrews 12:1-2

1 Corinthians 9:24

Isaiah 40:31