My Future Is My Focus
Pastor Steven Furtick
Conversation Starters
Share something good that happened to you this week.
What or who in your life would you say gets most of your focus/attention?
Discussion Questions
What’s something you’re looking forward to experiencing in the future?
“Being controlled by your emotions will always limit your future to the level of your feelings.” Share a time when you pushed through what you felt and did something you didn’t feel like doing for the better. How did that decision make you better?
Read Genesis 50:20. Joseph shifted his focus from his struggles to how God was working in his life. What is something positive you can focus on when faced with challenges?
“It’s almost impossible to climb over something while you’re complaining about it.” What is something you’ve been complaining about lately that you need to climb over?
Pastor Steven encouraged us to break negative cycles when he said, “If the enemy attacks five times, you worship five.” Share some ways you’ve worshiped God when you’ve faced tough times. Take notes of your eGroup members’ experiences and the wisdom around you to help you break the unhealthy cycles you may be currently facing or that you may face ahead of you.
Read Genesis 49:22. Joseph’s father didn’t view him as a victim, but a fruitful vine who overcame tough times and helped others. What areas of your life can you be intentional about overcoming for the sake of being fruitful and helping others?
We can turn the things that came to HARM us into moments of HARMONY by focusing on what we place after the incident or event. Share about something that you no longer feel was meant to HARM you or hold you back. Now focus on what comes next by sharing about a step you can take this week to turn it around for good.
Act On It
Pastor Steven encouraged us to interrupt negative thoughts with a “but God.” Journal all of your negative thoughts this week, cross them out, and replace them with something positive God is doing in your life. (e.g., I didn’t get a promotion, but God is providing for me.)
Prayer
Father, thank You for working things out for the greater good in our lives. Help us shift our focus from the things that have hurt us to the future plans You have for us. Give us strength to break negative cycles so we can be fruitful in all we do. Amen.