Chapter 9

The Magnificent Obsession – Chapter Nine
August 8, 2013

Pass Everything On

“Who will pursue God because you do?  Who will make it the priority of their lives to know God as Abraham did, and make Him known to others, because you have?  Who will refuse to settle for anything less than everything God wants to give them because you’ve refused to settle for less?  To whom are you and I passing the baton?  We need to be as intentional as Abraham was about passing everything on because we have also been commissioned by the Father to find a bride for the Son…”

                                          The Magnificent Obsession, p. 228

 

Influence.  Webster defines "influence" as:   the act or power of producing an effect without apparent exertion of force or direct exercise of command.

 Each of us has been influenced in some way by someone or something.  And while we may not consider ourselves to be particularly “influential”, the fact is that each of us has within us the God-given capacity to produce effects on the actions, behavior or opinions of others.

If we understand this to be true, the more intentionally we will live our lives and the greater influence we will have on others.  The more intentionally we live our lives for Christ, the greater impact our lives will have on the Kingdom of God.  

And so… what kind of an impact is your life having?  What kind of an influence have you had on the people around you… in your family, with your co-workers, your friends and the people who serve you?  Think about it.  Your life has impacted others.

Each day brings to us many opportunities to live our lives intentionally, with purpose, and with an eternal aim.  How will you live this day of your life to make a difference for Christ?  Who will you influence today?  Who will pursue God because you purse God? 


THIS WEEK’S ASSIGNMENT:
Scripture Reading: Genesis 24
Read Chapter 9 – Magnificent Obsession
Questions for Small Group Discussion and Blog:

1. Who has influenced you? Is there a person in your life who has pursued God in such a way that he or she has positively and passionately influenced your faith and pursuit of God? In what ways has this person personally influenced your faith?

• Describe a few aspects of this person’s life that most revealed the magnificent obsession to you.

2.  Abraham was intentional about passing everything on. What does it mean to you to “pass everything on”?

• As you consider your life today, what are you passing along and to whom are you passing it?

3.  The best indicator of what is most important to us can be found in our calendars, cell phone logs, bank statements and credit card statements.    Look at them.  Make some observations about how your time and money is spent.

• To what is the majority of your time allocated?
• To what is the majority of your money allocated?
• How many of those things would be considered kingdom “investments”? 
• How much time do you intentionally spend investing your life in others for the sake of the Gospel (to encourage, teach, build up… disciple in the faith)?

4.  Abraham lived an “intentional” life of faith. Another way of saying it might be that Abraham lived his life “on purpose” for a greater Purpose. Living intentionally and purposefully requires serious thought and consideration not only about how we are living our lives, but the intended direction and result of our lives.  How intentionally and purposefully are you living your life for Christ?   Consider the following areas:

• Your personal life
• Your relationships
• Your social life
• Your professional life
• Your finances

5.    How are you intentionally investing your own life in the life of another person, for Christ’s sake?   Or- what’s keeping your from intentionally investing your life- mentoring, discipling another?

 

For Personal Prayer & Reflection:
Pass Everything On~
Not all “good works” last forever.  What kinds of things last forever?   Read John 15:16.  Reflect on the kind of fruit in your life that "lasts".  There is no greater joy than sharing the magnificent obsession with another individual.

As we come to the final chapter of the Magnificent Obsession, please take some prayerful time to consider your life, your passions, your pursuits, your purpose and where they are currently taking you. Is your life passing on the Magnificent Obsession? And who will pursue God because you do?