Looking Back and Moving Forward

Happy New Year! Welcome to CROLCC, we are so glad you are here worshiping with us. Are you ready for the New Year? I felt like last year went by way too fast. Maybe you feel the same way?! There are things that are yet to be done, and there are things I wish I could have done better. For some reason when the New Year rolls around everyone believe they can start over with clean slate. As if everything we did in the past are really in the past. But the truth is, whatever decisions we made in the past, the results of those decisions follow us into our future. We really never have a clean slate, but we can make different decisions in the present now that can change the trajectory of our future.

I have learned to believe the best way to move forward is to first review what we have learned in the past. Therefore, today, I am going to do just that, a review. We are going to review what we have talked about in 2016. Perhaps we will have a few “oh yeah, I needed to be reminded of that.” The important thing is not only we learn some things, but we actually do them. Then we will begin again encouraging everyone to read our Bible. Yes, we do this every year, but I will again give you some new tools to hopefully help you along the way. Because if we learn to listen to what God wants to tell us, our lives really can be better this year.

Moving Forward

Reflect on what you have learned in the past and move forward. Begin first with a plan and a commitment to reading God’s Word. Pick a time, a space and a partner to begin reading today.

Changing Your Mind

Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.
Psalm 119:105

Discussion Questions

1. Reflecting on the past year, what are some decisions that you have made well? What are some decisions that you wish you can redo again?

2. What are some of the challenges for you to read the Bible consistently? What motivates you to read?

3. Do you notice anything different about your life when you pay attention to God’s Word? If so, what are they?

4. What are some goals or resolutions you have set for this year? How can your small group help you in achieving those goals?