by Dan Lentz

1. List at least one thing you hope to accomplish in the next:
• month
• six months
• 12 months

Read Isaiah 45:14-25.

2. Use some recent news headlines (bring newspapers, Internet news pages, or headlines you remember), and make a list of things people seem to follow.

3. Thinking about the list you made, when it comes to following other ideals or people besides God, do you think it is mostly done out of selfishness (see v. 16), ignorance (see v. 20), or rebellion (see v. 24)?

4. When it comes to your own journey of following the Lord, has selfishness, ignorance, or rebellion caused you to be tempted to follow other things? Share some examples.

5. Pass out sheets of paper. Each person should write a prayer to the Lord. In your prayer, commit afresh in this New Year to follow Jesus Christ alone, and ask for strength to resist temptation. Ask for a volunteer to close in prayer after the written prayers are complete.

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T. Daniel Lentz works for Small Group Network in Whitestown, Indiana.