Message: YOUR PATH...WHY BAD THINGS HAPPEN TO SMART PEOPLE
Week of May 17, 2009

Thematic Focus
Principles impact our lives whether or not we are familiar with them, or even believe in them

Example given - the principle of the harvest says that you reap what you sow.

Main Points
To get from where we don't want to be to where we do want to be requires two things:

· Time
· A change in direction

Being lost or far from where you want to be is not a problem to be solved. There is no instant solution. You get to where you want to be the same way you got to the place you don't want to be. One step at a time.

Summary Points
The Principle of the Path - Direction, not intentions, determines your destination.

Scriptural Lens:
· Proverbs 3:5-17
· Acts 2:36-41

Pursuing clarity
Use the following structure to guide your discussion:

Opening Prayer
Take a moment to recognize Christ’s presence with you.

Opening Question
Direction determines destination. How does ignoring the principle of the path lead to regret?

Scriptural Focus
Select a scripture you would like to focus on.

Group Discussion
Use these questions to begin your discussion:

1. What is the difference between a "solution" and a "path?"
2. Describe a time when you thought you were taking a shortcut in life, only to discover that it led to a dead end.
3. What are the biggest challenges in your life right now? How could you diminish or get rid of these problems by changing a life direction?
4. Do you think you are winning or losing in life by the paths you have chosen? Explain.
5. If you think you are losing in life, how can you change the paths you have chosen?
6. How can you leverage the principle of the path in your life?

Adjusting Focus
Take time to assess how the principle of the path is affecting your life.

Describe how the principle of the path is currently affecting each of the following areas of your life:

·  Marriage
· Family
·  Work
· Finance
· Church
·  Physical Health

Where do you think the path you are currently on in these areas of your life will take you?

Describe the destination you wish to reach. Is the path you're on likely to take you there?

Does your intention for your life line up with your current direction?

Maintaining Focus
How is God's Spirit prompting you to grow on the faith journey? A step I will take this week to grow stronger in my faith:

____________________________________________

Closing Prayer
Take time at the close of your time together to pray for God’s assistance in the journey. Depending on how comfortable group members feel, here are some ways you could pray:

· Write out a personal prayer.
· Have the group facilitator or a designated member of the group pray.
· Have members of the group get into a smaller group to pray for one another.
· Have several members of the group pray aloud and then conclude.

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