Lesson One

MY ONE WORD

(from MyOneWord.org)

Series Bottom Line:

The normal, natural pace of your life will not likely lead you to Spiritual Formation

WEEK #1: “Something About One Thing”

Do SOMETHING about One Thing instead of NOTHING about Everything!

Key Verse: Psalm 119:5 (NAS) Oh that my ways would be established on order to keep you word

EVERYBODY WANTS TO CHANGE

It is expected that 90 million Americans make New Year’s Resolutions.

It is expected that 75% abandon them by February.

Personal change is on our minds this time of year. And the way we tend to handle our desire for change is by making resolutions- sweeping promises never to do what we’ve always done. Sweeping promises do not work!

New Year’s Resolutions are really just Last Year’s Confessions. We swear we will be more organized, because we are terribly organized.



NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTIONS

• They are Too Vague: “I want to be in better shape!” (Does this mean touching your toes or running a marathon?)
• They are Too Shallow: “I want to be a better person!” (Better than who? This forces you to look around & compare- not inside & change!)
• There are Too Many: The list of the things we want to change is endless. People often pick too many changes they want to focus on.

Focus implies that we narrow down our vision. You simply can’t focus on all those things. So we are challenged to pick one... and do something about it!

Everybody wants to change- Few people do. Yet, we are called to change (See Romans 12:2).

           The problem is that we do not arrange our lives for God’s work to be done in us.

PICKING ONE WORD Over the next three weeks, you will be challenged to abandon the New Year’s Resolutions in exchange for My One Word.

     Instead of making a list of promises to keep, you will pick ONE WORD that will serve as a lens      through which you will see your life and through which you will see God’s work in your life.

THE BEAUTY OF MY ONE WORD

     A Single Sentence tends to address our Behavior!

     A Single Word Focuses on our Character!



My One Word is an exercise that will help you pay attention to the condition of your heart and remain focused on what God wants to do in your life throughout the entire year.

You will resist the temptation to deal with everything that needs to be changed in your life and... do something about one thing instead of nothing about everything!

HOMEWORK: Define the kind of person you want to become.

“What kind of person do you hope to be by the end of this year?”

Resist Regret: Resist the tendency to promise not to be what you have been.

Future Focused: Stay focused on the vision of the person you believe God is calling you to be.

Describe the characteristics of that person and the condition of their heart! Write it down!

There is no need to rush. You will have the entire month to create your list and narrow down that list into your One Word for 2018. We will pick them and begin this incredible process together.

Finding a New Kind of Resolution - My One Word

HAPPY NEW YOU
If you're like most people, each January goes something like this:  You choose a problematic behavior that has plagued you for years and vow to revers it. In fact, you can probably think of two or three undesirable habits - make that four or five.

Thus begins the litany of imperfections to be perfected, commonly known as New Year's Resolutions.  All of which are typically off your radar by February.

THE UN-RESOLUTION
It's okay to want to be a better you - and the New Year is a natural time to start.  The questions is, how?  My One Word replaces broken promises with a vision for real change.  When you choose a single word, you have a single focus.  You are moving toward the future rather than swearing off the past.

With My One Word, you're right where God wants you:  In His hands.  And it's not an extreme makeover we're talking about.  This year, the goal is to see His work in one area of your life. 

A SIMPLE PROCESS

So how do you go about picking a word?  Here are a few steps to help you get started!

STEP 1:  Determine the kind of person you want to become

The first step is to simply take some time and decide what kind of person you want to be at the end of this year.  This goes beyond simply being healthier and wealthier, but it must drive deep into your soul.  What about the condition of your heart?  What about the person that God Himself has created you to be?

STEP 2:  Identify that person's characteristics

Get a picture of that person and then simply identify their major characteristics.  Is that person gentle?  Is that person generous?  What are the qualities of the person you want to become?

STEP 3:  Simply pick a word

Once you have a list of the characteristics, simply pick a word.  There might be fifteen things that you want to change, but you must resist the temptation to promise you will do them all.  Instead, simply commit to ONE WORD.

HELP ALONG 

THE WAY

Before you embark on this journey, a little word of warning:  don't be surprised if living out your "one word" feels unnatural and awkward at first.  Remember, the reason you want to change is due to the fact that this godly characteristic is not currently present in your day-to-day life.

This is why we've developed Nebraska City FUMC's - My One Word, to help keep your word in front of you all year long.  Through the My One Word blog you can:

• Review monthly questions for reflection
• Write about your reflections 
• Share your victories, struggles and insights through an interactive blog (fumcmow.blogspot.com)
• Read words other people have picked and share your word with the online community

For more information or to sign up call 402-873-3821

Change Your Life With Just One Word

Top Ten Most-Often-Picked Words

 Trust

 Patience

 Love

 Discipline

 Focus

 Faith

 Surrender

 Peace

 Listen

 Joy

It is better to do something about one thing than nothing about everything.

Change is possible, but focus is required.

"For I know the plans I have for you..."  Jeremiah 29:11

Join us January 7 - February 7!