[Podcast] The Path 04: Looking Ahead

ThePath04

When you’re driving on a trip, it pays to keep your eyes on the dashboard gauges.  When you keep your eye on those gauges, you will know if you are speeding, running your engine hot, or running out of gas.  Paying attention can keep you from being stranded on the road alone!  On the path of our lives, what things do we need to pay attention to so we can keep on the path that God has for us?

If you are the discussion leader this week, have everyone open to this page on their mobile device.  Work through the questions together.

Direction determines destination. But what is it that influences direction? What is it that starts us on our course, either for the places we want to go or the destinations we’d rather avoid? If we could determine what this is, then we could change our course upstream and save ourselves a lot of time, money, and heartache. Discover what this is and how you leverage it to reach the destinations God desires for you.

Discussion Questions

Deuteronomy 7:12
If you pay attention to these laws and are careful to follow them, then the Lord your God will keep his covenant of love with you, as he swore to your forefathers.

Why did God command the Israelites to pay attention? How do the things that grab your attention influence the direction you take in life?

Psalm 119:35, 37
Make me walk along the path of your commands, for that is where my happiness is found… Turn my eyes from worthless things, and give me life through your word.

What worthless things call out to us “look at me?” What are the things that capture your attention that will only lead you down paths you don’t want to go?

Proverbs 4:25-27
Look straight ahead, and fix your eyes on what lies before you. Mark out a straight path for your feet; stay on the safe path. Don’t get sidetracked; keep your feet from following evil.

In what situations are you the most tempted to swerve to the left or the right? How can you be proactive and keep you eyes straight ahead? How can you avoid the temptation to turn your attention away from the things that will draw you off course?

Hebrews 12:2
Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who… for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

When have you turned your eyes away from what was important and found yourself drifting away? How can we keep focused on the things that will keep us on the right paths? How can we keep from drifting?

Think About It

What has captured your attention that could prove harmful down the road? What would your friend, roommate, or family say is taking up too much of your focus?

What Will You Do?

What do you need to give more attention? What are the things you need to focus on? What will you do this week to begin to pay more attention to them?