Main Idea: This week we will be going over the second step to having each day becoming better than the last. This is going to show you how you can see God’s blessings. No matter what happens in every experience you can see how things are better than before. And that is taking responsibility for your life. When we take 100% ownership of everything in our life and not in our life then we have no one else to blame. Taking responsibility is another thing that will help you to make each day better than the last.
1 Where on earth did the blame game originate? Genesis 3:12-13
Note: At its core all sin, all scarcity, all limitation, all of these harmful results that came from sin is a symptom of blaming. But the way that we can cooperate with God in reversing the curse is to take responsibility, to take ownership of everything that’s in our life or not in our life. We can own our decisions, our outcomes, and our circumstances, not allowing circumstances to master us. We can use our circumstances as our instruments to work and to fulfill God’s will and his calling upon our life.
2 What’s the difference between having an employee mindset vs an owner mindset? John 10:11-13 (opens in new tab due to long verse)
Note: Here you can see the contrast between these two mindsets. The owner, (the shepherd, Christ) takes responsibility. He sees the sheep and He knows He needs to protect these sheep. He’s willing to lay down His life. But the employee, for example, sees trash on the floor and says, “That looks ugly. Someone should pick that up.” The owner on the other hand sees trash on the floor and says, “let me pick that up and let me make that difference.” An owner takes responsibility. When you choose to take responsibility for your possibilities, your actions, your options, your will, your decisions, your perception and how you’re interpreting the experiences of life, and the meaning that you attach to things, it changes your entire life. Nothing will be the same.
3 Why is it so important to adopt an ownership mindset and not an employee mindset? James 4:17
4 What happens when we don’t take ownership of what God has given us? Matthew 25:28-30 (opens in new tab due to long verse)
Note: If we don’t use and take ownership of what the Lord has given to us and be faithful with it, we will eventually lose it.
5 Even if we don’t have much, where should our focus be? 2 Corinthians 8:12
Note: What do we have? We can’t control our circumstances but we can influence them. We can choose our reactions. We have absolute control over what goes on inside our minds and our decisions, the faculties of our mind, our focus, and the meaning that we’re going to attach to these various experiences of life. That is something we can focus on and it will empower us to cooperate with God in his strength to overcome. So let’s focus on what we have, and the things that we are in control over.
6 What should we do when we don’t like the results in our lives? Luke 13:6-9 (opens in new tab due to long verse)
Note: Rather than focusing on the fruits (results), and beating ourselves up about not having the fruits we want in life, focus on what produces the fruits. It’s cause and effect. We have to go to the cause that produces the effects.
7 When we don’t like the circumstances in our lives, but we choose to focus on what we CAN control, what happens? Romans 5:3
8 Who do we have to blame in the end? Matthew 16:27
Note: In the end, we won’t have anyone to blame but ourselves. Why not take ownership now, while the hand of mercy is stretched out to us?
9 What is God’s promise to those who do and don’t take ownership of their lives? Proverbs 28:13
10 What is a vital part of refocusing our perspective to taking responsibility for our lives? 2 Corinthians 10:5
Note: Controlling the imagination and the thoughts that go through our minds is vital. When a thought of casting blame or deferring responsibility comes to mind, what scripture can you claim to cast it down? – see Isaiah 41:10
In Light of God’s Word…
Is it your desire to see God’s blessings in every circumstance, every experience, and in every trial in your life?
Is it your decision to take ownership, and recognize what you CAN take control of in your life through God’s grace?
Offer:
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