North Charlottesville church of Christ

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Looking Behind to Look Forward

Larry Rouse
12/29/24 - Sun AM

Meeting Purpose

To discuss a Christian perspective on New Year's resolutions and decision-making, emphasizing the importance of looking to the past to guide future choices.

Key Takeaways

• Christian decision-making should be rooted in trusting God and understanding His character through Scripture.

• Developing spiritual discernment is an ongoing process that requires consistent Bible study and application.

• Looking to the past (both Biblical examples and personal experiences) provides wisdom for future decisions.

• Being part of a strong local church community offers support and examples of faith for personal growth.

Topics

The Importance of Trusting God in Decision-Making

• Christians should base decisions on understanding God's character and will

• Trusting God often requires stepping out of comfort zones and breaking patterns of failure

• Scripture emphasizes walking in God's ways and holding fast to Him (Deuteronomy 11:22)

• God's unchanging nature (Malachi 3:6, Hebrews 13:8) provides a stable foundation for decision-making

Developing Spiritual Discernment

• Spiritual decisions require practice and maturity (Hebrews 5:14)

• Regular Bible reading and study are crucial for understanding God's will

• Jesus repeatedly asked, "Have you not read?" emphasizing Scripture knowledge

• The goal is to develop a skill set in applying Scripture to life decisions

Learning from Biblical and Personal History

• Old Testament examples provide insights into God's character and human faith

• New Testament teachings, especially Paul's letters, offer guidance for Christian living

• Personal memories of faithful individuals can serve as encouragement (Hebrews 12:1)

• Importance of being part of a local church for mutual support and growth

Avoiding Pitfalls in Reflecting on the Past

• Danger of holding onto past failures or hurts

• Need to "forget what lies behind and strain forward to what lies ahead" (Philippians 3:13-14)

• Importance of letting go of things that cannot be changed and trusting God with them

Next Steps

• Commit to regular Bible reading and study to deepen understanding of God's character

• Reflect on personal history to identify faithful examples and learn from past experiences

• Actively participate in a local church community for mutual support and growth

• Practice letting go of past failures and hurts, focusing instead on God's promises and future goals

• Apply the lessons learned from looking back to make wise decisions moving forward