SERMON NOTES

Uncharted Priorities | Uncharted | Week 3

Pastor Dave Pretlove

Genesis 13:1-18

1. Priorities are required because of the nature of resources.
2. My priorities are revealed in my choices.
3. My priorities are rooted in my identity.
   • Galatians 4:7
4. Ranking priorities is fine, but recognizing the top priority is what life is all about.
   • Proverbs 3:9-10

 

GROUP QUESTIONS

Find this week’s teaching and testimony video here.

1. 1. Who is the most “committed” person you know? To what are they committed?
   2. What does commitment mean to you? To what are you committed?
   3. When has commitment cost you or how has it caused you to rearrange your priorities?

 

PERSONAL REFLECTION QUESTIONS

LifeGroup Leaders: Choose a few that would be best for your unique group!

1. Abraham and Lot had different priorities. What were the priorities of Abraham and Lot? Create a list of what differences you see.
2. What attributes do you see in the life of Abraham that led to this moment of generosity? How did he stay committed to following the ways of God?
3. In what ways do you feel committed to following God in terms of generosity? In what ways do you feel you need to grow in your commitment and priorities?
4. Read Matthew 6:30-33. What would your life look like if you sought first the kingdom of God? Think about your whole life – your finances, your mental health, your relationships. How would all these things change if you really lived a life grounded in faith and rooted in promise?
5. Consider the daily choices you make. How do these choices reveal your true priorities? 
6. How can your LifeGroup help you grow in stewardship living this week? Reflect and share how you as a community can be Kingdom stewards of what God has given you.

 

SCRIPTURES TO MEDITATE ON

“And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith? So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.”
Matthew 6:30-33 NLT

“Honor the Lord from your wealth,
And from the first of all your produce;
Then your barns will be filled with plenty,
And your vats will overflow with new wine.”
Proverbs 3:9-10 NASB

 

RESOURCES

Article | “Being a Christian in a Non-Christian World: 7 Tips from Church History” by Robert Elmer and Logos Word by Word
“Moderate my desires for worldly possessions by reminding me how uncertain and unsatisfying they are. While others are laying up treasures on earth, may I be rich towards God.” – Philip Doddridge

 

SPIRITUAL PRACTICE TO TRY

This week, try the spiritual practice of Sabbath. This practice of slowing down and resting often allows us to see our true priorities and helps us to realign to Kingdom living. 

Don’t feel the pressure to start with a full 24 hours. Maybe just set aside 4 hours and commit to stop any work. Take some time to rest – a nap is great! Choose something that brings you joy – maybe dinner with friends or reading a rich book. Pause for worship, come back to God, and simply enjoy his presence. Try to be especially mindful of your thoughts and replace desires for stuff, importance, or productivity with celebrations of God’s goodness and what he has already done for you. 

Have kids at home? You can still Sabbath – many families have found it helpful to create a “Sabbath box” that has quiet, creative activities that children only have access to on the Sabbath. It can make this experience delightful and special for them as well!

 

SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT

I’ve personally taken a huge step back from social media (that could be a whole series of devotionals there!) but the one I haven’t let go of yet is Pinterest. The thumbnails of how to organize my pantry, color palette suggestions, autumn outfits, and cute office setup inspirations just keep me scrolling. I search everything from cleaning routines to meal prep ideas to graphic tee outfits – how are we going to style our Uncharted shirts this week?!

Even in the midst of the faithless Pinterest algorithm, I see a slew of minimalism, hygge methods, self-care, and overall slowing down. People are hungry for a different way of living. So many are tired of the rat race of accumulating just for the sake of status. Without Jesus, our world tries to figure out a way of slowing down by embracing a new aesthetic or lifestyle. They’re still trying to exit the rat race with external solutions, not internal or eternal solutions. 

As Christ-followers, we have the eternal solution. Jesus has already done the work for us and we get to simply live in freedom and union with God now. We trust that he’s the one who provides and gives, so we don’t have to grab and hold and accumulate. We get to live lives of open hands, willing and ready to receive and to give away. 

I think the spiritual discipline of simplicity and Sabbath is crucial for us as Christians living in 2023 America. Actually trusting God in this way will radically set us apart from the culture. Imagine if our extended families, friends, and co-workers could tangibly see the slow, calm pace of our lives. They would be so desperate to know how you live so differently. How do you have this peaceful, confident, slow life? You’ll be able to share the eternal and internal solution. Jesus has already taken care of all that we need, so we get to live in that peace and Kingdom security.

Slowing Down,
Lydia Long