Spiritual Focus
Pray
Pray together for the group meeting, and any pressing needs within the group.
Review
Each week you’ll spend some time reviewing the previous week’s lesson. Did anything happen last week that brought the lesson to mind, and what did you learn from it?
Watch
Watch the following discussion-starter video. It’ll set the topic of discussion for the group.
Heart and Soul
Colossians 3: 2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.
Psalms 1: 2 but his delight is in the law of the Lord,
and on his law he meditates day and night.
3 He is like a tree
planted by streams of water
that yields its fruit in its season,
and its leaf does not wither.
In all that he does, he prospers.
- What is someone you have affection for? How do you act toward them?
- What does it mean to put your affection on things above?
- How do you put your affection on something?
- What is something you are delighted in?
- What does it mean to delight in something? What would be the difference between delighting in something and just knowing about it or liking it?
- If we really have delight and affection for heavenly things – how can we tell? What would we do?
- If we delight in heavenly things what kinds of promises does verse 3 give us?
Strength
Matthew 6:31 Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?
32 (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.
33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
- What are we supposed to do first?
- Is it natural for our flesh to think about the kingdom of God first?
- How can we train ourselves to think of Godly things first?
- Does seeking God first mean we are going to starve? Why not?
- How is seeking God first taking care of the carnal man?
Mind
Romans 12: 1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
Philippians 4: 8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.
- What do you think about when you are stressed?
- Why is it so important that our mind stays focused on the things of God?
- How does it make you feel that Romans 12:2 says your mind can be renewed?
- How many things are we to think on in Philppians 4:8?
- How can we practice thinking about the good things? What happens if we wait until we are stressed to try and think of good things?
Mind Soul and Body
Luke 10: 27And he answered, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself.
- Can you imagine driving a car with your eyes closed? How could you make that work?
- Do you enjoy doing a job when your heart’s not in it?
- Can we really separate our mind, soul and body? Why not?
- How can we make sure that our heart, mind and body are loving God?
- Name one thing you can do each day to keep your heart focused on God.
- Name one thing you can do each day to keep your mind focused on God.
- Name one thing you can do each day to keep your body focused on God.
Next Week: The Successful Life – Family Focus