Squirrel - Attention Deficit Disorder

REWIND:

• Every decision has a path with a predetermined result.
• There is often a disconnect between our current “path” and our desired outcome.
• You WIN or LOSE by the PATH you choose.

BIG IDEA: ATTENTION INFLUENCES DIRECTION. Whatever you pay Attention to influences direction. What has your attention?

TEXT: Proverbs 4:25-27 “Let your eyes look forward; fix your gaze straight ahead. Carefully consider the path for your feet, and all your ways will be established. Don’t turn to the right or to the left; keep your feet away from evil”.

LESSON:

1. Things are trying to CAPTURE your attention. a. If attention is CAPTURED, it’s usually EMOTIONAL. b. To be captured is often a distraction that leads to

DESTRUCTION. c. David – Ps. 119:37 - Direct me in the path of your commands, for there I find delight. 37Turn my eyes away from worthless things; preserve my life (don’t let me be captured by distraction) according to your word.

2. There are things we must GIVE ATTENTION to.

a. If attention is GIVEN TO something, it’s usually INTENTIONAL b. If I “give attention” to ___________, my life would go in a different DIRECTION.

c. “Let your eyes look forward; fix your gaze straight ahead. Carefully consider the path for your feet, and all your ways will be established. Don’t turn to the right or to the left; keep your feet away from evil”.— -Proverbs 4:25-27

Matthew 6:22

"The eye is the lamp of the body. [Where the eye wanders, where your attention goes, so goes the rest of you.] If your eyes are good, your whole body will be full of light. [If you are paying attention to the right things, the rest of you will follow.]

Your LIFE flows in the DIRECTION of what you are PAYING ATTENTION to.

DRIFTING

Hebrews 2:1 - We must pay more careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away. [People don’t intend to embrace things that lead them down destructive paths. They drift.]

Sheol and Abaddon are never satisfied, and never satisfied are the eyes of man” (Proverbs 27:20). - Where our eyes go, so goes our heart. Where our heart is, so go our eyes.

CONCLUSION: It’s hard to see this idea in the mirror so...

1. What has captured your attention from which you need to free yourself? . . . has negative implications? . . . is creating a stronger and stronger emotional draw? . . . is luring you down a path you’ve always warned others against?

2. What do you need to give more attention to? Who do you need to give/pay more attention to? Where do you need to be more intentional?

Pay attention to who/what is attempting to capture your attention. It may determine the direction of your life.

TITLE: SQUIRELL

Week of 9-22-24

TEXT: PROVERBS 4:20-27

CHECKING IN

• If this is your first-time meeting as a group, or a new group member, introduce yourselves.
• Share with the group what you hope to get out of this GROW Group series.

MEMORY VERSE

Proverbs 4:25-27 “Let your eyes look forward; fix your gaze straight ahead. Carefully consider the path for your feet, and all your ways will be established.

MAIN POINT

ATTENTION INFLUENCES DIRECTION. Whatever you pay Attention to influences direction.

INTRODUCTION

As your group time begins, use this section to introduce the topic of discussion. Last week saw that DIRECTION DETERMINES DESTINATION. Every choice/path has an outcome/destination, consequence/reward. This week the focus was on our ATTENTION. In our walk with God, there will always be people or opportunities that want to CAPTURE your attention. Since ATTENTION INFLUENCES DIRECTION. We must be wise and GIVE ATTENTION to the things that will direct our path in the direction of our desired destinations.

QUESTION:

All of us can think of things we wish we had paid more attention to. It would have changed the way our lives turned out. What if your dad had paid more attention and your family. Think about the difference it would have made.

UNDERSTANDING/DIGGING DEEPER

ATTENTION INFLUENCES DIRECTION. People don’t intend to embrace things that lead them down destructive paths. They drift.

HAVE A VOLUNTEER READ Hebrews 2:1 Unpack Heb 2:1.

• We must pay more careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away. What are some things that cause one to drift spiritually? Things that draw us away from growing in Christ?
  In every boat there is an anchor that is used to keep one from drifting. Just as a boat in a body of water so also is the human heart. We have the tendency to drift. And the real problem with drifting spiritually is that you don’t know it’s happening until it’s already happened. But what if you could? Are there certain checkpoints that, if they appear in your life, you know that the drifting has started? That the rope tied to the anchor of faith has started to let out? That you are slowly moving in a direction that you didn’t intend to go? Can you think of anchors that will prevent you from drifting spiritually?

APPLICATION

HAVE A VOLUNTEER READ Matthew 6:19-24 • Explain what Jesus is trying to communicate in this passage? • Why is what you see with your eye and what you hear with your ears important spiritually?

THINK ABOUT IT:

Is there something or someone you need to begin paying more attention to? Is there something clamoring for your attention that deserves your attention—and instead of doing the right thing, you are making excuses? What are you putting off? What is it you just don’t find the time to get around to because of the other, less important stuff? Your education? Kids? Spiritual pursuits? Saving more? Getting out of debt? Your health? Your parents? Think. Be honest. Much is at stake! We don’t drift in good directions. We discipline and prioritize ourselves there

COMMENTARY

There is a reason the Scriptures reiterate this principle over and over. God cares about the direction of your life. Think about that for a moment. God . . . as in GOD . . . is concerned about the direction and quality of your life. And though we’ve never met, I’m guessing you are concerned about the direction and quality of your life as well. So that’s one important thing you and God have in common. It might be the only thing you have in common, but at least there’s that. And that is no unimportant thing. So here’s something to consider. If you and God care about your future, why resist him? If it has become clear to you that there are things or people you need to pay less attention to and things or people that deserve more of your attention, why not give in to that? Why resist what you know is true and right for you? Why not, in this very moment, enlist God’s help in bringing about the change both you and your heavenly Father desire?

PRAYER DIRECTION

One way we can give our attention to the right things and not go down the wrong path is to pray. Take some time as a group to share your prayer requests in groups of 3 or so, pray together over them. The following is an example of how one can pray: “Lord, help us to pay attention to the things that matter, and give us the wisdom to know what to do when things are trying to capture our attention. We trust in your unfailing love.”

FOLLOW UP

Throughout this week, consider sending a follow-up email to your group. Some suggestions:

❏ Questions to consider as you continue to reflect on what you learned this week: How can our group pray for you this week about the challenges you are facing, so that you can have victory? When are you most prone to Satan’s attacks? List a couple of them, then prepare ahead of time for the potential attacks.

❏ A note of encouragement, following up on any specific prayer requests mentioned during your group gathering.

❏ Remember to memorize Proverbs 4:25-27 and seek ways to apply this week