Below is a summary of the week and some questions to ask in your Tribe. Feel free to use any of the resources at the bottom too! The idea is that we are growing in our connection with God.
Hello, it's great to see you!
This week we started our new series "Pursuit of Happiness." As the new year begins, we want to have a vision and a focus on simplifying and having a truly happy life. This series has a goal of showing us how to live a happy life. Having a happy life means actively making choices daily to bring happiness in. Many of us want to do this, but don't know how. This week we talked about finding happiness in contentment.
Most of the time we end up asking God for things that we think we need and want, when really God has a better plan for us that we cannot see just yet. He has already given us the tools we need to live a happy and healthy life by following His word and the life of Christ. In Matthew 4, Jesus went and lived in a small town and made a big impact on the people there, who would then go off and share is word, instead of going to a larger city where he could have spoke to thousands at one time. Jesus chose this path in order to show contentment where he was at.
KEY SCRIPTURES
KEY POINTS
Choosing Contentment:
1. Choose the Right Lane Instead of the Fast Lane
Just as drivers must choose their lanes wisely to reach their destination safely, we too must make conscious decisions about where we invest our time and energy. Proverbs 4:26 (NIV) advises, “Give careful thought to the paths for your feet and be steadfast in all your ways.” Choosing the lane of contentment requires discerning what really matters and aligning our lives with God’s will. The fast lane often represents the relentless pursuit of success, causing stress and anxiety. In Ecclesiastes 4:4 (NIV), Solomon notes, “And I saw that all toil and all achievement spring from one person’s envy of another.” Staying focused on the fast lane can lead to discontentment and dissatisfaction. Instead, we’re called to find peace in the slower, steadier lane of life where we can cultivate contentment.
2. Steer Clear of the Comparison Lane
The lane of comparison can derail our journey toward contentment. 2 Corinthians 10:12 (NIV) warns, “We do not dare to classify or compare ourselves with some who commend themselves.” When we look to the lanes of others, we often lose sight of our own unique path. Embracing our lane means recognizing our individual journey and celebrating our own achievements.
3. Embrace the Road Conditions of Trust
Just as drivers must adjust their speed based on road conditions, we are called to navigate life’s circumstances with trust in God. Proverbs 3:5-6 (NIV) instructs, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” Navigating contentment in the right lane means trusting God through life’s twists and turns.
4. Embrace the Scenic Route of Gratitude
Sometimes, taking the scenic route through life offers the greatest joys. In Psalm 37:4 (NIV), we are reminded, “Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.” Living in contentment often involves taking the slower, scenic lane, where we can appreciate the beauty of God’s creation and experience joy in the moment. Choosing to drive in the lane of gratitude can transform our outlook on life. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 (NIV) encourages us, “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” When we drive in the gratitude lane, we shift our focus from what we lack to appreciating the blessings around us, leading to deeper contentment.
5. Live in the Lane of Rest and Recovery
Rest is essential for maintaining contentment, much like scheduled breaks in a long journey. Matthew 11:28-30 (NIV) invites us, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” By finding a lane that prioritizes rest and renewal, we can cultivate a spirit of peace that enhances our sense of contentment in life.
6. Set Your GPS for the Destination of Peace
Ultimately, the goal of our journey is to arrive at a place of peace and contentment. John 14:27 (NIV) reminds us of Jesus' promise: “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you.” Choosing to travel in the right lane of contentment leads us to the destination of true peace, where we can rest assured in God’s love and provision.
Contentment is a character quality to be pursued in a similar way wealth is pursued. Culture teaches us that wealth and affluence equals influence. Jesus models that contentment leads to an abundance of influence.
If you haven't yet watched the sermon from this past weekend, we encourage you to check it out. The current sermon video will be available this Tuesday. Click on the link below to view:
Recent TVC Sermon Video
1. Where do you find the most discontentment in your life?
2. Why do you find it easy or hard to practice contentment?
3. How can your Tribe support you this week?