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Unleashing the Power of Personal Resolve

TO UNLEASH THE POWER OF RESOLVE, I MUST:

BE ABLE TO DEFINE RESOLVE

Resolve (noun): a firm decision to do something — a settled purpose that doesn’t move just because circumstances do.

Resolve (verb): to make up your mind, in advance, and stay made up.

Ezra had resolve.

For Ezra had set his heart to study the Law of the LORD, and to do it and teach his statutes and rules in Israel. EZRA 7:10 ESV

Jesus had resolve.

When the days drew near for him to be taken up, he set his face to go to Jerusalem. LUKE 9:51 ESV

Resolve is deciding today what you’re going to do tomorrow, before tomorrow talks you out of it.

UNDERSTAND WHY I NEED IT

Do not waver, for a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind. 7 Such people should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. 8 Their loyalty is divided between God and the world, and they are unstable in everything they do. JAMES 1:6-8 NLT

IDENTIFY ITS BENEFITS

But as for me and my family, we will serve the Lord. JOSHUA 24:15 NLT

Benefits of having resolve:

DECIDE IT FOR MYSELF

For we are each responsible for our own conduct. GALATIANS 6:5 NLT

Timeless issues that require resolve:

Current issues that require resolve:

For you died to this life, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God. COLOSSIANS 3:3 NLT

My Notes

Discussion Questions

Choose a couple questions from each section to discuss and reflect on the sermon as a group:

  1. START HERE: Who is someone you know with strong resolve? How have you seen them live that out and how have they influenced you or others?
  2. START HERE: Think about your relationships, habits, faith, work, finances. Where do you find it's easiest to drift instead of staying motivated? What makes that area most challenging for you?
  3. KEEP GOING: Read Ezra 7:10 ESV and Luke 9:51 ESV. What do you notice about the resolve Ezra and Jesus had? Why do we need that kind of resolve? What can happen when we lose our resolve for the things that matter to God?
  4. KEEP GOING: "Resolve is deciding today what you're going to do tomorrow, before tomorrow talks you out of it." Read James 1:6-8 NLT. Where in life are you waiting to feel motivated instead of deciding? What obstacles keep you from having resolve?
  5. KEEP GOING: Read Joshua 24:15 NLT and Galatians 6:5 NLT. What does Joshua’s example teach you about making a personal decision to follow God? What decision has God put in your hands that you’ve quietly handed to someone else?
  6. KEEP GOING: Read Colossians 3:3 NLT. Consider the timeless and current issues that require resolve: forgiveness, money, pride, politics, identity, and social media. Which one do you keep re-negotiating instead of actually resolving? What would you need to believe or trust about God to stand firm in that area?
  7. LIVE IT OUT: What’s one area you want to grow in resolve? Put that into words. Now, put that into action – name a specific step you will take and the main benefit you desire for yourself, with God or toward others.