Looking Behind To Look Forward by Larry Rouse - 12-29-24 - N. Cville church of Christ

Meeting Purpose
To discuss a Christian perspective on New Year's resolutions and decision-making, emphasizing the importance of looking to the past to guide future choices.
Key Takeaways
Christian decision-making should be rooted in trusting God and understanding His character through Scripture.
Developing spiritual discernment is an ongoing process that requires consistent Bible study and application.
Looking to the past (both Biblical examples and personal experiences) provides wisdom for future decisions.
Being part of a strong local church community offers support and examples of faith for personal growth.
Topics
The Importance of Trusting God in Decision-Making
Christians should base decisions on understanding God's character and will
Trusting God often requires stepping out of comfort zones and breaking patterns of failure
Scripture emphasizes walking in God's ways and holding fast to Him (Deuteronomy 11:22)
God's unchanging nature (Malachi 3:6, Hebrews 13:8) provides a stable foundation for decision-making
Developing Spiritual Discernment
Spiritual decisions require practice and maturity (Hebrews 5:14)
Regular Bible reading and study are crucial for understanding God's will
Jesus repeatedly asked, "Have you not read?" emphasizing Scripture knowledge
The goal is to develop a skill set in applying Scripture to life decisions
Learning from Biblical and Personal History
Old Testament examples provide insights into God's character and human faith
New Testament teachings, especially Paul's letters, offer guidance for Christian living
Personal memories of faithful individuals can serve as encouragement (Hebrews 12:1)
Importance of being part of a local church for mutual support and growth
Avoiding Pitfalls in Reflecting on the Past
Danger of holding onto past failures or hurts
Need to "forget what lies behind and strain forward to what lies ahead" (Philippians 3:13-14)
Importance of letting go of things that cannot be changed and trusting God with them
Next Steps
Commit to regular Bible reading and study to deepen understanding of God's character
Reflect on personal history to identify faithful examples and learn from past experiences
Actively participate in a local church community for mutual support and growth
Practice letting go of past failures and hurts, focusing instead on God's promises and future goals
Apply the lessons learned from looking back to make wise decisions moving forward