Notes
Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
Matthew 28:18-20
Our faith starts out as just being between us and God, but as we mature it becomes about helping others come to know Him, too. We are to emulate Jesus to the point that people will desire to find out more.
Life is a marathon, and to run a marathon you need a guide, a coach, to help you along the way. Paul was one of the first to write his story and provide an example of what it looks like to follow Jesus wholeheartedly. From him, we can learn a lot about how to run the race of life:
1) We aren’t running alone, so know who you’re running for.
Don’t you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win!
1 Corinthians 9:24
You were running the race so well. Who has held you back from following the truth? It certainly isn’t God, for he is the one who called you to freedom. This false teaching is like a little yeast that spreads through the whole batch of dough! I am trusting the Lord to keep you from believing false teachings. God will judge that person, whoever he is, who has been confusing you.
Dear brothers and sisters, if I were still preaching that you must be circumcised—as some say I do—why am I still being persecuted? If I were no longer preaching salvation through the cross of Christ, no one would be offended. I just wish that those troublemakers who want to mutilate you by circumcision would mutilate themselves.
Galatians 5:7-12
Everyone is running, and everyone is running for something. There are people and influences who will try to trip you up or get you to run for other things. Paul didn’t tolerate untruths being spread among the church. When we remain silent with God’s truth, no matter how hard the truth is, negative influences will find their way in.
2) If you lose focus, regain focus.
Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God’s right hand. Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth.
Colossians 3:1-2
We are not perfect; there will be times we lose focus. When that does happen though, get back on track as quickly as possible. The longer we have our eyes off God, the harder it will be to focus again.
3) The best feeling is when your race inspires others.
Share your story! Even when you get bumped or tripped up, keep running - there are people around you ready to follow the example you set. This is how we fulfill the Great Commission in Matthew 28:18-20: by spreading the news of what God has done in and through us.
Group Questions
- How can we tell what or who we are running for?
- What are some ways we can talk about even the hard truths in love?
- Who are the people in your life who your story has influenced?
- What is your story so far?
Prayer
Thank you for the people in our lives who shared their story with us. As a part of the church, we need to get up and go into the world, to spread Your light. Help us to stay focused on the prize.