Goal driven life -Introduction

It is a true statement the fact that if you aim at nothing, you hit something; and that is, Nothing.  It is a factual lie that the good things that happen to us do so by chance. Even miracles happen to people that show disposition for them. For fear of not being described as failures, many people prefer to continue “sheepishly” in life, allowing the theology of “whatever will be will be” , shunning away from drawing out plans for their lives. Whether we set goals or not, it is certain that we are inbuilt with appetites to succeed and be celebrated. There are several people that play soccer, but the most celebrated person is the one that gets the ball into the goalpost. Anyone you see in the present world that is making concerted progress and being celebrated is doing so on a pedestal of set and pursued goals. Most of the Bible is a literature of goals, approaches to fulfilling them and advice on how to live out goals. There is no better example for us to use than that of Jesus (Heb 12:2)-Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Goal pursuit
1.       Define your goal (purpose of your being) –might have to do this for different segments of your composite being.  e.g. spiritual, social, academic, political (Mar 1:2; 9:12; Luke 2:4; 4:17-20; Heb 10:5-7)
2.      Identify the steps required to realise the goal (Luke 14:28)
3.      Identify obstacles to overcome -Nehemiah, Ezra  (external obstacles); Herod, Judas, Demas(2Tim 4:10) (internal obstacles)
4.      Draw up an action plan against foreseen obstacles-I Cor 10:6-11; JOHN 6:15;  Matt 19:12; 4:12
5.      Prayer; a necessary tool-Matt 26:36; Mark 11:24; John 8:1,2; Jabez asked for a change of circumstances
6.      Let your goal be your song-Abram decided (when God changed his name) his name would be Abraham! Jesus, without provocation, reminded His disciples about His death many times-Mark 8:31; Luke 13:32
7.      Set aside distractions –Heb 12:2; ICor 9:24-27
We hope to take a closer look at each of these points in the weeks ahead.
Discussion points
a.    How did these characters use the principles above to achieve their goals?-Jesus, Gideon, Moses, Joseph
b.    How did these ones fare in life? What did they neglect?- Samson, Matthias, Balaam and Judas
c.    How helpful do you anticipate this study and subsequent ones shall be to you personally?

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