Distance is Secondary, Direction is Everything

Connection Group Questions: February 19, 2012

“Distance is Secondary, Direction is Everything” 

Opening 

Make sure everyone is aware of events and opportunities happening at Connections listed in the bulletin: we have construction projects, youth programs and other opportunities to move forward in your faith!  

Discussion

Big Idea: Direction, not desire, determines our destination.

When writing about the important of direction, Andy Stanley distinguished between a solution and a path.  

• What is the difference?  Why is it important to recognize the difference between finding “solutions” and finding paths?

Describe how the principle of the Path is currently affecting your life in the following areas:

• Marriage, or relationships
• Family
• Job
• Finances
• Physical health
• Walk with God

Cars, computers and many other things have problems that can be fixed.  But generally, people are hard to “fix.”  Instead, people have directions that can be changed.

• What are the biggest problems in your life right now?  The thing(s) causing the most stress?
• How might you address these problems by changing a direction in your life?

Key Question:

1. Describe the destination you’d like to reach.  WIll the path you are currently on get you there?

Bible study:

Read Matthew 7:13

“Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many.”

• What two paths are described here?
• To what destination do each of these roads lead?
• How is this teaching contrary to popular belief?  Why do we think “narrow” is negative?

Read 1 Kings 11:1-11

• Why did Solomon turn from the path he started on?
• What warning does this give us in life?
• What were the outcomes of the choices Solomon made?
• Why do seemingly wise people often make foolish decisions in one or more areas of life, or in a season of life?

Reflect on the following promise regarding paths...

Thus says the Lord: “Stand by the roads, and look, and ask for the ancient paths, where the good way is; 

and walk in it, and find rest for your souls.

~ Jeremiah 6:16

Close with a time of prayer for one another.