What's Next? (FCA Version)
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Handout
Introduction
Attention:
Good morning!
Thanks for having me
Happy winter
Hope you enjoyed days off
Big build up
After it happens… what’s next?
True spiritually as well:
Today’s lesson: What is the next thing that God has in store for your life?
Philippians 3:12-14
Need:
A relevant problem
Burnout
How to recover
Sanctification: continual next steps
“What is next for me?”
God wants to change your life!
Embrace the change
Body
The Big Idea:
Spiritual growth is involved.
The Big Question:
What does spiritual growth involve?
1. Ownership
12 Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own.
Explanation:
What is “this”?
Sharing in Christ’s sufferings
Becoming like Him in His death
Attaining resurrection
Spiritual growth = self-death
Not encouraging at face value
But Jesus changes things
“Not...”
A denial
Perfectionism in the early church
He hasn’t arrived (he isn’t perfect)
The necessity of humility for spiritual growth
“Press on”
The beginning of a running analogy
Not an excuse for complacency
We were created for good works (Eph. 2:10)
Pressing on towards spiritual growth
“Make it my own”
Ownership
God’s part vs. our part
Making your faith your own
Your mom and dad’s faith won’t save you
“Christ Jesus has made me His own.”
We take ownership over our faith because Jesus has taken ownership of us
We belong to Jesus
Illustration:
Adobe Premiere subscription
Christ has already paid the fee
But we have to show up
Application:
In what ways have you not taken ownership of your faith?
Pursuing growth
Have you loosened your grip?
Life’s challenges
Break
What would it look like for you to take ownership of your faith this semester?
Ask questions of the Bible
Study God’s word
Know why you believe what you believe
Do the next thing and own up to your faith!
Transition Statement:
Taking ownership means you can’t stay stagnant.
The Big Question:
What does spiritual growth involve?
1. Ownership
2. Forward-motion
13 Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead,
Explanation:
“Made it my own”
Ownership
A process that isn’t complete
Again; humility
“Forgetting what lies behind”
Runners don’t look back
What is Paul forgetting?
Achievements and failures
Mistakes: Your past doesn’t determine your future
Achievements: Move on!
Nostalgia is fun
But do the next thing
“And straining forward to what lies ahead.“
Straining = effort
Like working out (no pain, no gain)
Not just looking to what is ahead; straining towards it
Not just the desire to know what it is; the effort to do what it takes to get there
Forward motion = next step
Moving to the next thing that God’s got for you
Illustration:
Using a GPS while starring in the rear view mirror
Application:
Is your gaze fixated at the past?
Are you allowing your failures to define you?
Are you distracted by the glory days?
What would it look like for you to strain towards the next thing that God’s got for your life?
It’s worth it!
Keep taking steps in obedience towards your spiritual growth
Transition Statement:
The thing that you are moving towards is a prize worth prioritizing
The Big Question:
What does spiritual growth involve?
1. Ownership
2. Forward-motion
3.Prize-prioritizing
14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
Explanation:
“I press on”
Again, forward motion that takes effort
“Toward”
Spiritual growth is not aimless
We are moving towards something’
Efforts towards spiritual maturity are never in vain
“The goal for the prize”
What is the prize?
Spiritual growth!
The journey is a reward in itself
Spiritual growth is worth it
Spiritual growth is the best priority
“The upward call of God in Christ Jesus”
Growing is a taste of Heaven on earth
Spiritual growth is a prize worth prioritizing because it is a calling
Make spiritual growth a priority in 2026
Illustration:
Nobody accidentally trains for a marathon
What you prioritize, you pursue, and what you pursue, you become.
Application:
Has spiritual growth been a priority of your recently?
What can you do to make it a priority this semester?
Spiritual disciplines
Bible reading
Prayer
Serving
Giving
Sharing your faith
Keep your eye on the prize of growing in your Christian walk!
Conclusion
Visualization
Picture yourself at this time next year
Where do you want to be in your walk?
Realize that your goal will involve hard work, but it is achievable
God wants you to get there!
Reiteration
Spiritual growth is involved
It doesn’t happen automatically over night
But it is realistically achievable through the Holy Spirit’s working in our lives.
Keep moving towards the next thing this semester
PRAY
