Take Back Your Life – Chat Room Guide

Chat Room Guide: “Determined: The Art of Pre-Deciding”

Opening Prayer

Key Takeaways:

1. Jesus made pre-determined decisions and followed through with unwavering commitment.
2. We should map our decisions to Jesus’ mind and values.
3. The quality of our decisions determines the quality of our life.
4. Pre-deciding our actions based on God’s values helps us navigate difficult situations.

Discussion Questions:

1. What stood out to you most from the sermon? Why?
2. The pastor mentioned that we often “grin and bear” life instead of making intentional decisions. Can you relate to this? Share an example.
3. How do you typically make important decisions in your life? Do you tend to be more emotional or logical in your approach?
4. The sermon emphasized the importance of pre-deciding our actions based on our values. What are some core values you hold? How do these influence your decision-making?
5. Reflect on Isaiah 61:1-3. How did Jesus fulfill these pre-determined promises in His ministry? How can we apply this concept of “pre-deciding” to our own lives?
6. The pastor stated, “We don’t live life discovering what we believe. We decide what we believe and then live accordingly.” Do you agree or disagree? Why?
7. What are some challenges you face in making and sticking to decisions? How might focusing on God’s promises help overcome these challenges?
8. How can we practically cultivate the “mind of Christ” (1 Corinthians 2:16) in our daily decision-making?

Practical Applications:

1. This week, identify one area of your life where you need to make a pre-determined decision based on God’s values. Write it down and share it with the group.
2. Practice the “When faced with… I have pre-decided to…” exercise mentioned in the sermon. Create at least 3 scenarios and share them with a partner.
3. Reflect on your past week. Identify one decision you made emotionally rather than based on your values. How might you approach a similar situation differently in the future?
4. Memorize Proverbs 16:3: “Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.”
5. Start a “Values Journal” where you write down one of God’s values each day and how you can apply it to your decision-making.

Closing Prayer: Thank God for His predetermined decision to love and save us. Ask for His guidance in aligning our decisions with His values and for the strength to follow through with determination.