What does it mean to put God first in your life? Matthew
6:33 tells us to “Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness”, but how do we
accomplish this when life seems to crowd out the best of intentions? Work,
family, and so many other responsibilities take up every waking minute of our
day. Is it possible that we are missing something?
Why does God want us to search for Him?
He wants to strengthen us, He is preparing us for ages to come if we learn to
pray, worship and walk by faith on this is of eternity. The earth is our boot
camp or spring training. (Read and compare these verses Hosea 10: 12. Amos 5:4, Matthew 6:33, Jeremiah 29:13)
Seek means to search, quest, find – we are
to “seek the truth” and that truth is God. When we seek Him wholeheartedly – He
will be found!!!
Everyday God speaks to us. Seeking God’s
voice is challenging – there’s no special formula if you do A or B but not C –
NO – the Bible give us this promise, that when we do seek Him with everything
we’ve got…we will find Him! Jesus is our example.
Grab
your Bible and your journal or a notepad and answers these questions:
1. When did you become a Christian
(or maybe you are still investigating) and how has God changed your life since
that time?
2. Even after we become Christians,
we can still have questions about God, Jesus, the Bible, Heaven, among other
things. What was a question you grappled with after becoming a Christian that
eventually made sense?
Why is it okay to love Jesus and follow Him and still have
questions?
3. Read: Matthew 6:33. How can
seeking first God’s kingdom, His will, and His righteousness help make sense of
the questions we might struggle with?
4. In the times
and seasons of life when we actually seek first God’s kingdom and His will for
our lives, things often seem to fall into place and make sense. Tell about a
time or a season in your life when you really devoted your heart and life to
seeking God’s will. How did God come alive, show up, and work during this time?
5. In Matthew 6:33, Jesus teaches us
that order is critical. Seek first His kingdom. What have you noticed happens
in your life when you seek God’s kingdom first?
What happens when you seek your will, your desires, and your
ways first?
6. When you became a Christian, you
were ushered into a new family. Tell how God impacted your life through your
new brothers and sisters after you followed Jesus and became part of His
church.
7. Read: Proverbs 3:5-6. How do these wise words of Proverbs echo
the heartbeat of Matthew 6:33? How does trusting the Lord with all our heart
help us seek Him first?
8. Respond to
this provocative statement: “When order is restored, blessing is released!” Do
you agree? If so, why? Do you disagree? If so, why?
9. Read: 1 Peter 1:13-16. How can walking and living in holiness
increase our happiness? How can turning from God’s ways and living with self-centered
desires (rather than a God-first life orientation) rob us of joy and happiness?
10. How have you
experienced the blessing and happiness of God as a direct result of setting
God-honoring priorities and seeking him first in your life?
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