Chapter 9

Living in the Sweet Spot

God is always our first love at the moment of our salvation. Yet whenever we make anything else our first love, our passion to do the “first work” of sharing the Gospel ends. Over time, it’s easy to move God to the backburner of your life—unless your focus stays fixed on moving everyone, every day, closer to Jesus.

Life Application

What are some distractions in your life that keep you from keeping God your “First Love?”

  • If that is your situation, what is it that you most often pray about or talk about with your friends and family?
  • Do you consider God to be your “first love” today? If not, what are the “gods” in your life?
  • Have you ever prayed that nothing would separate you from God’s love?

Scriptures for Deeper Reflection

The church today has largely lost its focus and its lampstand (testimony): Revelation 2:1–4 (NKJV)

Pure transparency with God brings pure joy: Psalm 139:23–24 (KJV)

The “saltiness” (testimony) of the church is being trampled under the foot of man: Matthew 5:13–14 (NLT)

This is where the adventure begins: Proverbs 2:3–5(NIV)

Your number-one responsibility is to tell people about Jesus: Matthew 28:19–20 (NIV)

When we love God, we’ll feed His sheep (share our faith): John 21:15–17 (NKJV)

Videos/Articles to inspire your faith

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First Love Christians

What does it mean to be a ‘First Love’ Christian and how can I become one?

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Church is Not Enough

Why isn’t just going to church every Sunday good enough for God?

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Is God Your ‘First Love’?

It’s an important question to ask yourself. If we’re honest, we’ll discover why we’re no longer doing the ‘First Work.’

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God’s Got It All Under Control

13 years ago, Nick shared his faith with a co-worker who wanted nothing to do with God. But God had a plan.

Chapter 10

You Have a Pulpit

It’s so easy to compartmentalize our lives into categories like work and church and only encounter God on Sundays. But when you are a “first love” Christian, nothing is secular. Your life is one grand opportunity to represent God to those who are lost, be it in a waiting room, in line at Starbucks, at your own business, or even the supermarket. Your life is your pulpit!

Life Application

What can you change in your life to impact everyone you’re with, every day?

  • Have you ever thought of living this way?
  • Do you compartmentalize areas of your life as “sacred” versus “secular,” instead of allowing God to use you in every area?

Scriptures for Deeper Reflection

Expect every conversation to be an opportunity to lead everyone closer to Jesus: 1 Peter 3:15 (NLT)

Your faith explodes when God directs your steps and gives you the words to say: Luke 12:12 (NIV)

Just being a “good person” doesn’t lead anyone to Jesus: Romans 10:17 (CSB)

There’s zero prep time/zero stress when you share your faith God’s way: Mark 13:11 (NLT)

A Christian today is watched and judged by everyone: Matthew 5:14 (NLT)

Wherever you are right now, that’s your pulpit: 1 Peter 4:10 (NKJV)

It’s a continual adventure when you allow God to direct your steps: Psalm 37:23 (KJV)

Videos/Articles to inspire your faith

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Sharing Gets People Saved

Most Christians believe they’re sharing their faith by simply being good people. Is that you?

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Where is Your Pulpit?

Are you seeking purpose not realizing that your pulpit is right where you are?

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Your Life is Your Pulpit

Learn how a CEO of a thriving wellness products company seizes every opportunity for Jesus.

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You Have a Story

Everyone loves a good story, and yours is like no one else. Only you can share your own story.

Chapter 11

Spiritual Atrophy

The basis of our problems in America today is neither political nor racial. It’s the result of spiritual atrophy—when Christians stop exercising their faith and sharing it with others on a daily basis. Over 80% of all Americans, including Christians, now report that they’re living in fear. Does that describe you?

Life Application

What does it mean to you to know that sharing your faith is about building your faith, and secondarily about winning the lost?

  • Are you afraid of sharing your faith? Why or why not?
  • Did you know that God is calling, mandating, and commissioning you to share your faith? 1 Peter 3:15 (NLT)

Scriptures for Deeper Reflection

Most Christians have become hearers only, denying the power of God: James 1:22–25 (NLT)

Sharing your faith turns the obligation of Bible study into an adventure: Proverbs 2:4–8 (NLT)

God is not happy with Christians sitting on the bench and doing nothing: Revelation 3:16 (NIV)

Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things unseen: 1 Peter 1:8 (KJV)

Pick your friends carefully, lest they pull you down: 2 Timothy 3:5 (KJV)

It’s secondarily about winning the lost and primarily about igniting you: Isaiah 43:10 (NIV)

There has never been a more important time to be with believers in church: Hebrews 10:25 (NLT)

Apostasy in the church confirms we’re in the last days: 1 Timothy 4:1 (NASB)

Videos/Articles to inspire your faith

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Flexing Your Spiritual Muscles

What happens when your “spiritual muscles” begin to atrophy because you’ve stopped using them?

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We’ve Stopped Sharing Our Faith

With only 1% of Christians evangelizing, how are they going to know God loves them unless you tell them?

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Faith Comes by Hearing

What prompts someone to pick up their Bible and read?

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