Faith Church Kansas
Distractions are everywhere. A chime on your phone, a favorite song on the radio, the endless list of things we still have to accomplish today, the business deal we need to close, and the juggling of the family’s busy schedule. So many things are after our attention. What’s the point or purpose of it all? How can we find clarity and a sense of calling?
The Bible encourages us to “lay aside” those distractions and “fix our eyes on Jesus.” This collection of messages will give us practical ways we can fix our focus, strengthen our faith, and live faithFULL lives. We will find clarity and a greater sense of calling by fixing our focus.
Message Title: FOCUS ON FORGETTING
Isaiah 43:15-19 NIV
1. Focus on forgetting your former failures.
Shame makes us do some silly things:
• Shame silences your voice of faith.
• Shame stalls your progress, and you revert to old habits.
• Shame stops you from reaching out, and you hide out instead.
• Shame side-steps responsibility as we downplay reality.
God can redeem your failures, reclaim what you lost, and reset your course forward!
2. Focus on forgetting your former ways.
LIFE CONNECT QUESTIONS
Do you want to talk it over, connecting this message to your everyday life? Good, us to! Change happens when we apply what we learn and share it within community. Answer these questions and share your answers in your Connect Group or talk it over with a friend.
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Focus on Forgetting.
There are some things we wish we could forget, but seem to remember. Some things we wish we could remember, but forget. God wants us to focus on forgetting our past failures and focus on His forgiveness. He wants us to forget about how we got here but not who brought us here. If we can focus on forgetting, we can move forward in faith.
CONNECT IN CONVERSATION. Find a conversation starter for your group.
• If you had the ability to remember anything, what one thing would you never want to forget?
• Have you ever forgotten something really important?
CONNECT TO THE WORD. Read it and talk it out.
• Read Isaiah 43:15-19. Discuss what you observe in the passage(s).
• Why do you think it’s important that God would remind them (us) about His character in verse 15?
CONNECT WITH OTHERS. Choose questions that create openness.
• What is one thing you personally fear?
• Which of the four reactions to shame (from the message) is your typical response?
• How can you move forward in faith and step outside of your comfort zone this week?
• Is there an area of your life where you are frustrated and realize you need to forget some former ways?
CONNECT IN PRAYER. Be bold, pray for each other, and pray with power.
God, you are a God who forgives, completely. Your mercy is new each morning. By your Spirit, we ask that you’d help us forget the things in our past and not focus on the former (old) ways of doing things. May we trust you as you lead us to new paths in our journey. In Jesus’ name.
Amen.
CONNECT TO LIFE. Commit to a step, share it, and live it out this week.
• Write out your testimony and share it with someone.
• Draw a line down middle of a page. On one side, list God’s attributes and on the other side list problems you are facing. Use the list to build your faith in God.
• Invite a friend to attend church with you.
