Message: Making Critical Decisions
Week of September 27, 2009

Thematic Focus
Learn what you can do in cooperation with God to make critical decisions effectively.

Main Points
Elements that will help you make decisions:
·  Getting God's Guidance
·  Finding the Facts
·  Asking for Advice
·  Considering the Costs
·  Preparing for Problems
·  Facing Your Fears

Four critical decisions you must make:
·  The decision to commit your life to Christ.
·  The decision to develop the habits to grow spiritually.
·  The decision to use your abilities, trainings, and life experiences to serve.
·  The decision to share God's love and be a messenger of hope.

Scriptural Lens:
·  James 1:1-10
·  Ecclesiastes 2:26
·  Proverbs 13:16
·  Proverbs 19:20 and Proverbs 20:18
·  Proverbs 20:25
·  Ecclesiastes 11:4

Pursuing clarity
Use the following structure to guide your personal reflection and/or discussion:

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

Opening Reflection
What does it mean to be double-minded? How does this impact a person's ability to make decisions?

Scriptural Focus
Take time to read the suggested Scriptures.

Group Discussion
Use these questions to reflect further:

1. How can "what we want" and "what God wants" differ?
2. Think about key areas of life such as relationships, work, and finances. What are some important facts to find out before making a critical decision?
3. What are the qualities we should be looking for when seeking advice from others?
4. How do we weigh costs with sacrificing for God?
5. How can preparing for potential problems help in pursuing a God dream?
6. When it comes to facing our fears and pursuing God's dream, what are the excuses people make? You make?
7. Reference Isaiah 42:16 in the Bible and reflect upon what this promise from God means.