Refer to chapter 4 in,4 Jewel in His Crown.
“[Satan] often tries to get us so bothered by the one thing we have been commanded by God not to do, that we spend far too much time thinking about it. Ultimately it distracts us from obeying God in other areas’’ (p. yj).
1. Are you easily distracted when you have a goal in mind? Why or why not?
2. Read Genesis 2:16-17. What did the Lord give Adam and Eve freedom to do? How does this compare with what He commanded them not to do?
Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reach- ing forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:13-14
Part 13
Distractions, Distractions!
3. Eve was so overcome by curiosity and attraction to the one forbidden tree in the Garden of Eden that she was distracted from all her other blessings. What “forbidden trees” have you been attracted to? How are they keeping you from enjoying all the other things that God has given you the freedom to explore?
“She had the enjoyment of all of the other trees in the Garden, hut she just couldn’t get her mind off of that one thing that she wasn’t supposed to have” (p. y$).
4. We sometimes feel like God’s commands cramp our style! But God’s Word says that His commands are for our good. Read and reflect on the Scriptures below.
Psalm 19:8.
Psalm 119:127-128_________
Proverbs 7:1-2.
Isaiah 1:19_____
John 15:10_
“We become so preoccupied with certain restrictions that God has placed on our lives that we forget, just as Eve did, that those restrictions arejor our own good” (p. 73 ).
5. If the devil can’t deceive us or make us discontent, he will try distracting us to get our minds off of what God wants us to do. Read Hebrews 12:1-2. What is God asking you to do that you need to fix your eyes on?
“What joy there is in simply enjoying what God has for us right now. But in order to do that, we must not be consumed with what He has asked us not to do" (p. 73 ).
8 o
Distractions, Distractions!
6. Meditate on Paul’s inspiring words in Philippians 3:12-14. What would it mean to press on toward all God has in mind for you to do? Journal your thoughts below
7. Take some time to reflect on what God’s Word says about abandoning distractions and focusing on Him. Review Scriptures we’ve studied as well as any others you wish to include here.
fa
8. How do you generally respond to the boundaries God places on your life? Do you thrive within the boundaries he has provided for your sexuality, finances, relationships, etc., or are you burdened by them? Journal your thoughts below.
9. What have been the biggest distractions from God’s ultimate purposes and plans for you? Write a prayer confessing what God reveals to you. Commit to seeking His will for your life.
8 i
Part 13
Distractions, Distractions!
10. What verses or insights from today’s study were particularly significant to you? Write them below and journal about what they mean to you.
11. What will you do differently as a result of today’s study?
Allow these verses to inspire your prayerful response to God today:
□ Psalm 141:8 —That I will keep my eyes on God and what He has for me instead of life’s distractions.
□ 2 Corinthians 4:18 —For the ability to see things in my life from God’s perspective, not just my earthly vantage point.
□ 1 John 5:3 —That I will recognize God’s commands are not burdensome, but they are for my good.
8 2
Distractions,
Distractions!
8 3
Part ij
Distractions, Distractions!
8 4
4 *
