You Are Not Destined to Faill

BEFORE YOU BEGIN

Destination (Goal)

Where am I taking them? What life change do I want to see?

Here’s a clear way to lock in your goal: Destination (Where you’re taking them) You want them to leave knowing and feeling: “I am not the person in verse 8. I belong to the ‘But you’ of verse 9. I may stumble in the battle, but I am not destined to fail.” That’s the main destination. Everything else serves this. The life change you want to see You’re aiming for a shift in identity and response, not just information. From: Living under the quiet (or loud) suspicion that “this is just who I am… I’m probably going to keep failing… maybe I’m one of the ones who stumble.” To: Living from the settled confidence that “I have tasted that the Lord is good. I am a living stone being built. I am part of a chosen race and a royal priesthood. When I fall short, I get back up and keep coming to the pure milk — because failure is not my destiny.” Practical fruit you hope to see Moms, dads, students, friends stop interpreting their repeated struggles as proof they are “destined to fail.” They start treating the pure milk (the Word) as their ongoing need and delight instead of a duty. When they mess up, their first move becomes returning rather than spiraling into shame or resignation. They begin to live (and speak) like people who have actually been called out of darkness into marvelous light. Simple one-sentence goal you can keep in front of you while preparing: “I want every person listening to walk out knowing they are not destined to fail — and to keep coming to the Living Stone and the pure milk because they have tasted that the Lord is good

The One Point (Make it sticky) What is the one thing I want them to know?

What do I want them to do? Sticky statement:

3. Burden Check

Have I internalized this? Can I tell it as a story without notes?

Yes, this is my burden or Still needs more ownership

THE MAP (Relational Journey)

ME — Orientation

Introduce a personal dilemma or tension you face (or have faced). Establish trust and common ground. Let them meet the real you before they hear the message.

My opening tension / story:

WE — Identification

Broaden the tension so everyone feels it. Connect across ages, stages, and situations. Stay here until the felt need is strong—do not leave early.

How I will help them feel the same tension (different groups/situations):

GOD — Illumination

Transition clearly to Scripture. Engage the text with the audience. Shine light on the tension. End this section with a clear summary of the key truth.

Transition phrase I will use:

Main Scripture / Key insight:

Succinct summary of the text’s answer:

YOU — Application

One clear, doable next step. What are they going to do? Keep it specific and actionable. You may address different groups, but stay focused on one primary response.

The one thing I want them to do this week:

How I will say it to specific groups (if needed):

WE — Inspiration

Cast vision. Imagine the difference if we all lived this truth. End with shared hope and corporate possibility.

Closing vision / “Imagine if…” statements:

WHEN YOU GET STUCK

1. Pray (surrender your outline).

2. What do they need to know?

3. Why do they need to know it?

4. What do they need to do?

5. Why do they need to do it?

6. How can I help them remember?