Week One
Finishing Well and the “Unexpected”
Sometimes the unexpected can make us stop short of finishing well. As I think over the years there is more than one time I quit something without notice – and gave something less than my best effort due to an “unexpected event”.
There were many years (even as a Christian) that I did not recognize God’s power in my life personally to help me deal with the unexpected in His strength. Many times I stopped short – I isolated myself – I focused totally on the unexpected and how to fix it. In doing these things I let many people down – including myself and eventually learned that I really wasn’t trusting God to be my source and strength.
In this fallen world the unexpected will happen – but God through Christ gives us power and dominion to remain in His will and finish all things well to His Glory.
Today’s lesson via video is on Finishing Well despite the unexpected.
As you watch the video we will cover these three points:
- Finishing His Work (that’s where are nourishment comes from)
- Focusing all your energies on what lies ahead (forget the past)
- Draw your Strength from Christ
“Finishing His Work” – that’s where are nourishment comes from
John 4:34 (Week One’s Memory Verse) NLT
Then Jesus explained: “My nourishment comes from doing the will of God, who sent me, and from finishing his work.”
Read and recite each day this week until you have it memorized. I can’t pass out gold stars like in the old days in Vacation Bible School or Sunday school – but making this verse yours will give you power and understanding and help you Finish Well.
What does the true story of John Stephen Akhwari (1968 Olympic Marathon runner) who finished last say to you about “Finishing Well”?
Has “Finishing Well” been a “constant” in your life? Are there times you “Finish” hasn’t been as great as you might have liked?
List a couple “Great Finishes” and a couple “not so great” finishes below:
What are some of the “unexpecteds” in your life? Have they – or have they not kept you from making forward progress and Finishing Well?
Focus all your energies on what lies ahead (Forget the past)
Philippians 3: 12 –14 NLT
12 I don’t mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection! But I keep working toward that day when I will finally be all that Christ Jesus saved me for and wants me to be. 13 No, dear brothers and sisters, I am still not all I should be, but I am focusing all my energies on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, 14 I strain to reach the end of the race and receive the prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us up to heaven.
How can (or could you) do a more consistent job of focusing all your energies on what lies ahead? Do you get caught up in the here and now – in the urgency of the “unexpected”. With Christ’s help can you see this changing? Do you want it to change?
What can you do to facilitate changing the way you think and respond to the “unexpected” in life?
Draw Your Strength from Christ
Romans 8:10-12
10 And Christ lives within you, so even though your body will die because of sin, the Spirit gives you life ] because you have been made right with God. 11 The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you. And just as God raised Christ Jesus from the dead, he will give life to your mortal bodies by this same Spirit living within you.
12 Therefore, dear brothers and sisters,] you have no obligation to do what your sinful nature urges you to do
What can you do to draw more of your strength from Christ?
(Post this above scripture in a prominent place – like your bathroom mirror or dashboard of your car). Let this scripture be a reminder to you this week that Jesus Christ has made you dead to sin and alive in Him. You have the power of God working in your life every single day to give you strength and energy that is larger than the “unexpected”.
Are you going to memorize our memory verse this week? Do you have a “Finishing Well story that you could share with the group?
Do you have any prayer requests? We will be glad to pray with you.
Shalom,
Monica
The unexpected has come against me recently at my work. I have worked there for 6 years and have always received great reviews until this new manager took over. He seems to be picking on many of the older people of or store. His way of motivating people to work is to keep you in constant fear of losing your job by asking the impossible from us, It makes for a bad working atmosphere. I have realized that I dont have to live in fear because each morning before i go to work I spend time in God’s word that gives me the strength and knowledge I need to get through my day. Whenever I am in doubt that I can’t do what he is expecting, the Holy Spirit within says to me that I am not alone and he will help me through it. It seems harder than ever before for older people to keep their jobs because their are so many young ones witing in line for our jobs, but if you take faith and the grace of our Almighty God with you always then you cannot lose no matter what comes. I work for him not for this manager! Amen!
Rhonda, thank you for sharing “the unexpected” in your life. That’s certainly a tough situation.
I will be praying for you. Congrats on handling it by running to God and spending extra time with Him.
You certainly have the right attitude and I am reminded of the scripture that says He is a rewarder of those that
diligently seek Him. You are pleasing God by your faith in Him and you are diligently seeking Him despite the
“unexpected” in your life. I pray God’s continued guidance and peace in your life and on you job. I pray for your
supervisor and I pray that God will soften his heart and allow him to see how hard you are working and what an
asset you are to the company. May God bless you and yours Rhonda. Thanks for sharing.
Shalom,
Monica