#AdventureGoals

God want us to a live life to the fullest, with fun, joy and adventure. He wants us to delight in Him first, but also to enjoy the adventure that He has for us. Unfortunately, the day-to-day responsibilities of life, and the challenges that come with them, are often off-ramps on the road to delight. And some of us fight against boredom, play it safe, and give in to cynicism, causing us to miss out on all that God has for us. This week we’re looking at goals that will help us get back on track to the adventure-filled life God has for us. Spend time with these questions, and then discuss them with your running partner, family over dinner or life group, and use them to help you create 2016 adventure goals.

Discussion Questions

1. Do you feel like you’re in a rut? What areas of your life do you think need to be shaken up, with more fun and adventure?
2. Are you naturally drawn to adventure such as skydiving or a spontaneous day trip? Why or why not?
3. Have you ever connected with God in an unexpected way while on an adventure? If so, what was that experience like for you?
4. James 1:17 talks about how every good and perfect gift is from above. How might God, through this verse, be trying to give you more freedom to really enjoy and embrace life?
5. Keeping 1 Timothy 4:4-5 in mind, how could you see the pursuit of adventure going “off the rails” without the guidance of God’s word?
6. In terms of the amount of adventure in your life, do you feel like God is pushing you to embrace adventure or is He asking you to rein things in to focus on other things He is calling you to?
7. Jesus talks about how the kingdom of heaven belongs to those who are like little children. Are there any areas of your life where you feel like God is calling you back to a child-like sense of adventure or enjoyment? Name an activity or hobby in your life that once was life giving, but has now become mundane.
8. How does being cynical rob you of adventure? How can Jesus be a model to help you overcome a cynical attitude?

Key Scriptures

• Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. – James 1:17
• Everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, because it is consecrated by the word of God and prayer. — 1 Timothy 4:4-5
• One day some parents brought their children to Jesus so he could lay his hands on and pray for them. But the disciples scolded the parents for bothering him. But Jesus said, ‘Let the children come to me. Don’t stop them! For the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to those who are like these children.’ — Matthew 19:13-14

Digging Deeper

Spiritual Outcomes—Trust God & Freedom

God created fun and adventure. In seeking to fully engage in life, we often find God in new, fresh ways. Is there an adventure goal you can set for the year that will either push you out of your comfort zone or redirect some of your adventuresome spirit? To deepen your insights as you work through these questions, check out these resources:

#AdventureGoals Challenge

Looking for some ideas on adventure goals? Check these out:

GLOBAL GO TEAMS

One way you could take an Adventure challenge is to join on of our Go Team serving trips. Gateway has several Global partnerships –India, Haiti, Greece and now Burundi. We’re committed to partnering with organizations that are doing good in each of these locations by meeting physical, relational and spiritual needs. For 2016 serving trips, go here:

CHOOSE YOUR OWN ADVENTURE

Truthfully, adventures are available everyday. It’s more about a mindset and perspective. What is keeping you from pursuing that trip you’ve always wanted to take, the artwork you’ve wanted to create, that thing you’ve wanted to learn about, that skill you’ve wanted master or experiencing all those things you meant to go and do here in Austin, but only ever do when company is in town? Get started by dreaming a little bit. Think about each of these areas and make a list of things you’d like to do, see, learn, accomplish, master and experience: Travel, Arts, Education, Training, Outdoors, Experiences.

Who would you like to do it with? The first step may be finding someone to do it with you. Ask a friend or family member and make an appointment to get started, even if it’s just to plan. You can always check out MeetUp.com to find others interested in the same topic or start your own Meetup group.