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“How to Put First Things First”
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Balancing Life’s Demands
How to Put “First Things First”
(Part 2) Hebrews 12:11
From  Chip Ingram and Living on the Edge

Introduction:
Three Reasons Why Most of Us Live With Two Sets of Priorities:
1. We are ____________ . We honestly don’t see the discrepancy
between what we think and say, and how we actually live.

2. We are _________________ . Though we long to put “first things first,” we
simply do not believe that God will supply our needs if we give Him the first portion
of our time, our lives, and our money.

3. We have ____________ repeatedly. Our sincere and honest efforts to
put “first things first” in the past lasted only a short time and ended with frustration
and disillusionment with ourselves.

So, what’s the “Missing Ingredient” to Living Out Our Priorities?
• It’s 1 word.
• It’s a _____________ of the Spirit.
• It comes to us by ____________ .
• We ___________ it in others.
• It’s ________________ for putting “first things first.”

☆The Word = ___________

Definition: Discipline is doing what needs to be done when it needs to be done.

• Discipline is the Spirit-empowered ability given by
(Titus 2:11-12)

God’s grace that allows us to say “no” to the quick fix and the
easy road, and say “yes” to the harder but better way.

• Discipline is a by-product of the Holy Spirit’s work in our lives. Galatians 5:22-23 (self control)

• We are commanded to live disciplined lives. 2 Peter 1:6 (self control)

• Discipline is a process that is learned over time through training.
The Dynamics of Biblical Discipline Can Be Summed Up in 2 Words:
________________ ___________

All discipline for the moment seems not to be joyful, but sorrowful; yet to those who
have been trained by it, afterwards it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness.
Hebrews 12:11 (NASB)

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The Method of Developing Biblical Discipline Can Be Summed Up in 3 Words:
______________ _____________ – _________________ .

Key do in advance to advance.

• The Biblical Example – the Apostle Paul

24 Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but {only} one receives the
prize? Run in such a way that you may win. 25 And everyone who competes in the
games exercises self-control in all things. They then {do it} to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. 26 Therefore I run in such a way, as not without aim;
I box in such a way, as not beating the air; 27 but I buffet my body and make it my slave, lest possibly, after I have preached to others, I myself should be disqualified.
1 Corinthians 9:24-27 (NASB)

[Answer on audio -notes are intended to help with Bible study & focus when listening.
-Worksheet/notes not a means to an end. Don’t focus on just finding out what to fill in the blank with. Focus on God speaking to your heart]

• How Does It Work?
1. Advanced Decision Making begins with
__________ – __________ ___________ .

2. Advanced Decision Making is reinforced by
__________ ______ the ___________ .

3. Advanced Decision Making becomes a personal conviction when you
___________ the ___________ .

Discussion Questions:
1. What does living by “two sets” of priorities produce in our emotional and spiritual
lives?
2. List two common reasons why we tend to avoid dealing deeply with priority issues
even when we know it’s important.
3. Define discipline. How does this definition differ from your thinking about “discipline”
in the past? Why is it critical to see discipline in a positive light?
4. Share some specific examples of how “advanced decision-making” has helped you
become disciplined. How does it make you feel when you’re disciplined?
5. Share one specific area (time, money, or relationships) that you believe God wants
you to prioritize according to His design. Discuss what delayed gratification looks
like and what advanced decision you will need to make.

This concludes:
Balancing Life’s Demands (Part 2)
How to Put “First Things First”
Hebrews 12:11
For more resources, go to LivingOnTheEdge.org
Copyright © 2011 Chip Ingram and Living on the Edge

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