Finish Strong

FINISH STRONG 

Guest Speaker: Trent Renner, Return Hope International 

Sunday, April 30th 

The Passage: 

Matthew 5:38-41 

Talk It Over: 

1. God has given us the Bible, in which He clearly portrays how everything began and how everything will end. When we know the beginning and the end, we can be confident about how we must live in the middle…So, discuss how we must live? 

2. Discuss that finishing strong is not an end-of-life act but a daily habit. “We will be remembered by how we leave/finish.” 

3. For those comfortable with reading, take turns reading the following passages for biblical confirmation of finishing strong, and discuss what they cause you to think about. 2 Timothy 4:6-8, Philippians 3:12-14, Philippians 1:5-6, John 17:3-5, 1 Corinthians 9:24-27, James 1:2-4, 1 Peter 5:10-11, Matthew 6:31-34, Matthew 24:12-14.

4. Discuss the “Turn the other cheek” idea presented to us. Then read 1 Peter 2:22-25, Romans 12:19-21, Matthew 10:16, Romans 12:19-21. Talk about the dilemma of standing firm for Christ, not being a pushover, and loving and serving our enemy.  

5. Does anybody in the group want to share their personal answers to the three questions the speaker asked?  

1. What am I afraid of?  
2. God, what are you trying to teach me? 
3. What does Love/God require of me? 

EXTRA: 

If there is time, or if you’d like to read further passages to discuss this week’s theme, then read the following passages: Proverbs 20:22, Romans 12:16-20, Leviticus 19:18, Luke 6:35, Romans 12:14-21, Proverbs 25:21-22, Matthew 10:28.