Remember, Remain, Refocus

Introduction:

• What are you living for?
• Three keys to renew our commitment as disciples this next year:Remember, Remain, Refocus.

I. Remember: What Has God Done in Your Life?

• Purpose of Remembering: Reflect on God’s past faithfulness to strengthen trust and encourage hearts.
• Psalm 103:1-5 – “Forget not all His benefits.”
• Joshua 4:1-7 – “These stones are to be a memorial to the people of Israel forever.”

II. Remain: Stay Centered in Christ Through Abiding with Him

• Purpose of Remaining: Stay connected to Christ to bear spiritual fruit.
• John 15:4-5 – “Remain in Me, as I also remain in you.”
• Hebrews 10:19-25 – “Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for He who promised is faithful.”

III. Refocus: Focus on What God is Calling You to Live Up to in Your Faith Walk

• Purpose of Refocusing: Align with God’s unique calling for our lives in the new season.
• Philippians 3:12-14 – “Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal.”
• Luke 9:23-25 – “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.”
• C.T. Studd – “Only one life, ’twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.”

Conclusion: A Call to Remember, Remain, and Refocus

• Remember—celebrate His past work in order to strength your faith in His promises.
• Remain—be centered on Christ so that everything else flows from that.
• Refocus on your calling—press on toward the goal God has set for you.

Begin with prayer for God to guide your thoughts and discussion.

Open Up (Everyone one should answer 1 of these questions)

• Do you make New Year’s Resolutions? Why or Why not?
• What is a goal you accomplished this past year? If you could go back to January 2024, how would you change the goal?

Dig In

1. Why do you think regularly reflecting on the past and remembering what God has done for us is a theme that shows up often in scripture?
2. Can you recall a specific moment in the past when you were reminded of God’s faithfulness to you? How did it impact your faith at that time?
3. What do you do to try and remember God’s faithfulness to you?
4. This past year, we’ve talked a lot about “abiding in Jesus” at Eastbrook. Based on all you’ve heard and learned about the idea, what would you say it means to “remain in Christ”?
5. What do you think it looks like for us to “press on toward the goal” like the athlete mentioned in Philippians 3:13-14? What goal are we pressing towards?
6. How do we make sure our lives are centered on following Christ rather than pursuing. our own ambitions or desires? What steps can we take to ensure our priorities reflect God’s will? How can we align our careers or daily work with God’s greater purpose for our lives?
7. How do you think a renewed focus on God’s purpose in your life should change the way you approach your work, relationships, and other responsibilities?

Live it Out: (everyone in the group should answer at least one of these)

1. What practices in your life help you stay connected to God, and what might you need to adjust to stay more rooted in Him? Or What are some of the distractions or struggles that make it difficult to remain centered in Christ? How can we overcome these obstacles?
2. Are there specific areas where you feel God is calling you to refocus or take action in this upcoming year? How will you know if you straying from that focus? How can/will you measure what God is wanting to accomplish in those areas?
3. What are some practical ways you can incorporate these three steps (Remember, Remain, Refocus) into your daily life and routine as you move into the new year?