Focus on God

SDT 9/28/26

rock paper scissor splits - 

we have been through several stories in the bible since the semester began. 

zacheaus - the one

who is your one

jeremiah - stand up for whats right. 

the why behind God. 

How have you seen God 

Work in your life 

Pray - answered 

Help  you. 

would you rather take one friend to church with you or take 20 to a party? 

Would you rather have 100 people like your post or 1 person tell you your faith encouraged them?

Would you rather be the funniest person in the room or the person someone trusts with their biggest struggle?

Would you rather have 1 deep conversation about God or 20 shallow conversations about sports or entertainment?

Would you rather be popular with everyone or make a lasting difference in one person’s life?

Would you rather have 1000 followers online who admire you or 1 friend who follows Christ because you invested in them?

Would you rather spend 3 hours at a party or 1 hour helping someone who needs you?

Would you rather be remembered for how entertaining you were or how much you loved people?

Would you rather have a full social calendar or a full purpose-filled calendar?

Would you rather influence a crowd for one night or one person for a lifetime?

Would you rather be known for your success or your character?

Would you rather have a million views or one life changed?

Would you rather have everyone know your name or God know you were faithful?

Would you rather have a great weekend or a meaningful one?

Would you rather be the life of the party or the light in someone’s darkness?

Would you rather have 20 casual friends or 1 friend you can truly disciple?

Would you rather spend $100 on entertainment or $100 helping someone in need?

Would you rather win every argument or win someone’s respect through kindness?

Would you rather hear 20 compliments or one sincere “thank you for helping me grow”?

Would you rather win a championship and lose your character, or lose a championship and keep your character?

Would you rather be the star player everyone knows or the teammate everyone trusts?

Would you rather have a Division I offer or a lifelong faith that never wavers?

Would you rather train your body every day but neglect your soul, or grow both consistently?

We all have 24 hours in a day. Its your choice. No excuses. 

At your age, if you can focus on what is important, you won't have to struggle with it when 

1. you get married. 

Having your priorities straight will decrease the headache of finding the right person. 

Finances and time are already figured out. Where you spend them. 

3. You have kids

Set your face on God, and you will be able to do your best raising kids. 

4. You find the dream career - 

time and money

God will provide. If you believe that, because your personal priorities are right, then you won’t have to worry about money. 

You will be able to use your time to do Godly things

5. You are ready to retire. 

Youve already prioritized what you will do with your free time. 

You won’t be able to waste it. 

All of this starts now. Your relationship with God needs to be the most important thing. 

What gets in the way of our relationship with God? 

What do you want to be and why? 

Does God care what you do for a living? 

So what do you want to be and why? The why is important here. Probably the most important. 

Matthew 6:19-21, 24,

Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. . . . No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.

It is time for you to make a commitment to God in your life. 

Here are some of the strongest Bible verses that emphasize making God your first priority.

Putting God First

• Matthew 6:33 – “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”

• The clearest verse on making God your first priority.

• Exodus 20:3 – “You shall have no other gods before Me.”

• Nothing should take God’s place.

What can be other God’s in our lives? 

• Luke 10:27 – “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind.”

Choosing God Over the World

• 1 John 2:15-17 – “Do not love the world or the things in the world…”

• Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them. For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.

Living for God’s Glory

• 1 Corinthians 10:31 – “So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do everything for the glory of God.”

Jesus Must Come First

• Luke 9:23 – “If anyone wants to follow after Me, let him deny himself, take up his cross daily, and follow Me.”

• Philippians 3:7-8 – Paul says he counts everything as loss compared to knowing Christ.

• John 15:5 – “I am the vine; you are the branches… apart from Me you can do nothing.”

Old Testament Examples

• Joshua 24:15 – “As for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.”

• Psalm 73:25-26 – “Whom have I in heaven but You? And I desire nothing on earth but You.”

• Psalm 37:4 – “Take delight in the Lord, and He will give you your heart’s desires.”

A few discussion questions you could ask afterward:

• What does it actually mean to “seek first” the Kingdom?

• What competes for first place in our lives?

• How can sports, school, work, or friendships become idols?

• What would someone see differently if God truly was your highest priority?

• What’s one practical way you can put God first this week?

Askng God Why?

 Ever wondered why in your life or with God?     Me too. 

Why do kids ask why, and parents tell them Because I said so? Is there really no reason? 

If not, then why make our kids do it? If yes, then why don’t we tell them? 

• Why do flamingos stand on one leg?

• Why do woodpeckers not get headaches?

• Why do cats purr?

• Why do geese fly in a V formation?

• Why do leaves change color?

• Why do camels have humps?

• Why do octopuses have three hearts?

• Why do sharks never stop swimming?

• Why do bees die after stinging?

• Why do owls turn their heads so far?

Earth & Space

• Why is the sky blue?

• Why is the ocean salty?

• Why are sunsets red?

• Why do we have leap years?

• Why do magnets attract metal?

• Why does popcorn pop?

• Why does a microwave heat food but not the plate (sometimes)?

Society & Laws

• Why do good laws still get broken?

• Why do we value freedom but also want security?

• Why do people obey laws even when they disagree with them?

• Why is something legal not always considered right?

Human Nature

• Why do we remember criticism longer than compliments?

• Why do people fear failure more than they desire success?

• Why is it easier to judge others than ourselves?

• Why do people hide their weaknesses?

• Why do we make the same mistakes more than once?

Success & Life

• Why do some people work hard and never become wealthy?

• Why do some people seem to succeed without trying?

• Why doesn’t money guarantee happiness?

• Why do people regret things they once desperately wanted?

• Why do people sacrifice long-term goals for short-term pleasure?

Relationships

• Why is trust easy to lose but hard to rebuild?

• Why do people hurt the people closest to them?

• Why is saying “I’m sorry” so difficult?

• Why do people become lonely even when surrounded by others?

The World

• Why do innocent people suffer?

• Why does injustice sometimes seem to win?

• Why isn’t life fair?

Personal Reflection

• Why do you believe what you believe?

• Why do you fear what you fear?

Thought Experiments

• Why do we value things more after we lose them?

• Why do we often want what we can’t have?

• Why is truth sometimes uncomfortable?

• Why are some questions more important than their answers?

• Why is the legal adult age 18, but the drinking age 21?

• Why can someone join the military before they can legally drink?

• Why do people disagree even when they have the same facts?

• Why do people fear change?

• Why do people procrastinate?

• Why do people compare themselves to others?

2. Paul and the “thorn in the flesh”

Paul doesn’t record the word “why,” but he clearly sought an explanation or removal.

“Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me.”
— 2 Corinthians 12:7–9

Instead of removing the thorn, God answered:

“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”

Paul received God’s purpose rather than the answer he may have expected.

3. Martha after Lazarus died

Martha questioned Jesus after her brother’s death.

“Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.”
— John 11:21

Although not phrased as “why,” it expresses the natural question of why Jesus had not intervened sooner. Jesus responded by revealing Himself as “the resurrection and the life.”

4. John the Baptist

While in prison, John questioned what God was doing.

“Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?”
— Matthew 11:2–3

John wasn’t asking “why” directly, but he was wrestling with why events were unfolding differently than he expected. Jesus answered by pointing to the evidence of God’s work.

5. The disciples

The disciples often asked Jesus why things happened.

• “Why could we not cast it out?” (Matthew 17:19)

• “Why do you speak to them in parables?” (Matthew 13:10)

• “Lord, why can’t I follow you now?” (John 13:37)

These questions show that even Jesus’ closest followers didn’t always understand God’s ways.

1. Jesus on the cross

This is the most well-known example.

“My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”
— Matthew 27:46; Mark 15:34

Jesus was quoting Psalm 22. This expresses the depth of His suffering while also pointing to a psalm that ultimately ends in hope and God’s deliverance.

A common theme

Throughout the New Testament, faithful people ask questions when they don’t understand:

• Jesus asks, “Why have you forsaken me?”

• Paul asks for relief.

• Martha questions God’s timing.

• John the Baptist questions God’s plan.

• The disciples ask why.

1. Job

• Question: “Why is this happening to me?”

• After losing his children, wealth, and health, Job repeatedly asked why God would allow such suffering.

• Verses: Job 3; Job 7:20–21; Job 10:2; Job 13:24.

• God eventually answered Job—not by explaining every detail, but by revealing His wisdom and power (Job 38–42).

2. David

• David often asked, “Why, Lord?”

• Examples:

• “Why, Lord, do you stand far off?” (Psalm 10:1)

• “How long, Lord?” (Psalm 13:1–2)

• “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Psalm 22:1)

3. Jeremiah

• Question: “Why does the way of the wicked prosper?”

• Verse: Jeremiah 12:1.

• Jeremiah struggled with seeing evil people succeed while God’s people suffered.

4. Habakkuk

• One of the clearest examples.

• Questions:

• “How long, Lord, must I call for help?”

• “Why do you make me look at injustice?”

• Verses: Habakkuk 1:2–3.

• God answered him with a conversation that fills the whole book.

5. Moses

• Asked why God had sent him if things were only getting worse for Israel.

• Verse: Exodus 5:22–23.

6. Gideon

• Question: “If the Lord is with us, why has all this happened to us?”

• Verse: Judges 6:13.

7. Asaph

• The writer of Psalm 73 questioned why the wicked prospered while the righteous suffered.

• His perspective changed when he entered God’s presence.

8. The Prophet Elijah

• After his victory on Mount Carmel, Elijah questioned God’s plan and even asked to die.

• Verse: 1 Kings 19:4.

• God responded with gentle care rather than rebuke.

What we learn

A common pattern appears in Scripture:

• God’s people asked honest questions.

• They brought their doubts directly to God rather than turning away from Him.

• God often responded with His presence, promises, wisdom, or reassurance—even when He didn’t give the full explanation.

Asking God “why?” isn’t portrayed as a lack of faith by itself. In many cases, it’s part of a genuine relationship with Him. The key difference is whether the question comes from a heart seeking God or a heart rejecting Him.

Play the song " He Won’t " at the end. All of your why questions answered in this song. 

Discussion Closers

• Is every “why” question meant to have an answer?

• Can you trust someone even when you don’t understand them?

• Does not understanding something mean it’s wrong?

• Is it possible to have peace without having every answer?

• What’s the biggest “why” question you’ve ever asked?

• If God answered every one of your “why” questions today, would there still be more tomorrow?