Read Mark 12:28-31. Life is a gift from God but is truly brief in terms of time and opportunity. That is why it is imperative that each follower of Jesus decides what is important and what is not. When Jesus was asked the most important commandment he didn?t hesitate to explain that loving God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength was most important. It is in following this command that you will also discover that one thing in life.

• Outside of God, what are some important things in your life right now?  Can you narrow that down to the most important thing?

The first thing you must do is love God with all your heart. Heart in scripture is not talking about pure emotion or Valentines Day kind of love. But loving God with all your heart means commitment to do God?s will and walking in obedience to God. This means you only have one allegiance, one commitment, and one consuming life focus in doing what God calls you to do.

• When you hear the words ?your heart? what does that mean to you?
• Do you currently have a consuming life focus?  What is it?

Read Philippians 2:12-13 & II Corinthians 5:17. The second thing Jesus said was to love God will all your soul. At times you might be influenced to think that your physical body is your ultimate self-image and if you feel ugly or don?t match up to the standards of the culture you put yourself down or don?t like yourself. The soul, however, is what?s really important because it is your eternal self and who God created you to be. It is in working on the soul that true beauty and quality self is found. 

• How has the culture distorted the idea of a proper self-image?  How has it affected you?
• How are you currently working on the beauty of your soul versus physical beauty only?

Read I Corinthians 2:16 & II Corinthians 10:5. Jesus also commands that you love God with all your mind. Your mind is vital in understanding your purpose and life focus because you become the images and life pictures you carry around in your head. In becoming a Christian you now have received the mind of Christ and are empowered to take captive all thoughts and influences. You then can begin allowing Jesus to change your life pictures into his life pictures.

• Who has influenced you and your life pictures?  Are your pictures positive or negative?
• Do you think you regularly see life through the eyes and perspective of Jesus?  How can you improve that?

Re-read Mark 12:31 & II Corinthians 9:9. Finally you are to offer God all your strength.  You are literally the hands and feet of Jesus on this earth and people will only see God through the action of your love. When you serve others you serve Christ and when you love others you love Christ. Therefore pour out all you have in service to Jesus who loves you, has changed you, and given you life.

• Has your service or love ever helped someone see Jesus?  How has it helped you see Jesus?
• What do you need to do to begin having a one life focus and purpose in God?