Drift - be carried slowly by a current of air or water
We never drift in a desired direction.
Intentional - the fact of being deliberate and purposeful
2 Timothy 4:6-8
6 For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come. 7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8 Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing.
Bottom Line: Finish well by keeping your eyes on the prize.
Philippians 3:12-14
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. 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, 14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
Spiritual Intentionality - making daily decisions to pursue and practice the ways of Jesus.
Four Strategies for Living with Spiritual Intentionality
1. Resist the feeling of arrival
“Run through the tape”
Philippians 3:12,13
12 Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect…
13 I do not consider I have made it my own…
2. Burry the past.
Philippians 3:13
forgetting what lies behind
Our past failures do not define us.
Two paralyzing thoughts for living without intentionality:
“I should have…”
“What if…”
Our past victories do not promise future success.
Philippians 3:4-6
4 though I myself have reason for confidence in the flesh also. If anyone else thinks he has reason for confidence in the flesh, I have more: 5 circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee; 6 as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to righteousness under the law, blameless.
Philippians 3:8
Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ
“Rubbish” [Greek: skybalon] - excrement of animals
3. Get comfortable with the uncomfortable
Philippians 3:13b,14a
…straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on…
4. Keep our eyes on the prize
Philippians 3:14
I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
The finish line is not a destination. “The finish line is Jesus” - Pastor Mark
Hebrews 12:1-2
Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.
Young adults who embrace a strong faith of their own.
FAMILY MINISTRY MISSION
Our mission is to prepare and launch the next generation of influencers for Christ through intentional relationships, engaging environments, and parent partnership.
CAV PRESCHOOL BASIC TRUTHS
1. God made me
2. God loves me
3. Jesus wants to be my friend forever
CAV ELEMENTARY BASIC TRUTHS
1. I need to make the wise choice
2. I can trust God no matter what
3. I should treat others the way I want to be treated
CAV MIDDLE SCHOOL BASIC TRUTHS
1. I am created to pursue an authentic relationship with my creator (Identity)
2. I belong to Jesus and define who I am by what he says (Belonging)
3. I exist every day to demonstrate God’s love to a broken world (Purpose)
CAV HIGH SCHOOL BASIC TRUTHS
1. I depend on God alone to define who I am (Identity)
2. I am created to belong and thrive in community (Belonging)
3. I am gifted to make a difference in the world around me (Purpose)
TOOL KIT
1. Authentic Faith
2. Spiritual Disciplines
3. Moral Boundaries
4. Healthy Friendships
5. Wise Choices
6. Ultimate Authority
7. Others First
Philippians 3:12-16 (The Message - Eugene Peterson)
12-14 I’m not saying that I have this all together, that I have it made. But I am well on my way, reaching out for Christ, who has so wondrously reached out for me. Friends, don’t get me wrong: By no means do I count myself an expert in all of this, but I’ve got my eye on the goal, where God is beckoning us onward—to Jesus. I’m off and running, and I’m not turning back.
15-16 So let’s keep focused on that goal, those of us who want everything God has for us. If any of you have something else in mind, something less than total commitment, God will clear your blurred vision—you’ll see it yet! Now that we’re on the right track, let’s stay on it.