Minding My Own Business

Finding My Focus in a World Full of Distractions

Lesson 1 – Leading a Quiet Life

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1 Thessalonians 4:10b-12says, Yet we urge you, brothers and sisters..., to make it your ambition to lead a quiet life: You should mind your own business and work with your hands, just as we told you,12so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody.
In Luke 2:49,Jesus said, “Why [is it] that ye have sought me? Did you not know that I ought to be [occupied] in my Father's business (house)?
1.0What Does It Mean to Mind My Own Business?
1.1Definition –
Dealing with the present.
Aware of God’s promises.
Obedient to His promptings
1.2Humans were not created to endlessly multitask.
1.3Why is it so hard to lead a focused life?
  • We lack a grasp of the “principle of firsts.”
2.0How Can I Lead A Focused Life? Through practicing holy habits.
When I make holy habits first in my life, I make God first in my life.
2.1Holy Habit #1: The disciples of silence.
  • Silence not only implies not speaking, but it also refers to unnecessary words and idle chatter. Silence is a quietness of mind, heart and mouth.
  • Though silence sometimes involves the absence of speech, it always involves the act of listening.
  • The purpose of silence and solitude is to see & hear.
2.2How to develop the discipline of silence?
  • Time with God: Mark 6:31 says, “But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.”
  • Identify and appreciate the season of life you are in. “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens.” (Ecclesiastes 3:1)
2.3 Holy Habit #2: Solitude
  • Solitude is more a state of mind than it is a place. It is a state of deep inner silence.
  • Our fear of being alone drives us to noise and crowds. Jesus calls us from loneliness to solitude. Admit your fears of being left out and alone.
“If we possess inward solitude we do not fear being alone, for we are not alone.”
R. Foster
  • Solitude was a consistent practice in Jesus’ life. “Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, ‘Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.’ So they went away by themselves in a boat to a solitary place” (Mark 6:31–32).
2.4How do I develop the discipline of solitude?
  • Stop comparing: (2 Corinthians 10:12) We do not dare to classify or compare ourselves with some who commend themselves. When they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they are not wise.
  • Stop thinking that God’s will for others is better than His will for you. (John 21:20-21
  • Set aside time to be alone: (Luke 5:16: But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.)
3.0I Focus My Life By Becoming Missional. (Luke 2:49)
3.1 Like Jesus, missional people are initially misunderstood.
3.2 Like Jesus, missional people have an agenda—a “life list.”
3.3 Like Jesus, missional people focus on one thing. / Notes
Notes

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Minding My Own Business / Finding My Focus in a World Full of Distractions / Leading a Quiet Life