Big Idea: A Christ-centered life keeps moving toward Jesus—filled by His Spirit, faithful to His calling, focused on Him, and consistent in obedience.

CHRIST-CENTERED
Hebrews 12:1–2

1. BE FILLED
Lay aside what hinders you and allow the Holy Spirit to transform you.

2. BE CALLED
God has a race marked out for you. Follow His calling even when you cannot see the whole path.

3. BE FOCUSED
Keep your eyes fixed on Jesus instead of allowing circumstances and distractions to control your attention.

4. BE CONSISTENT
Persevere. Keep moving forward. When you don't know what to do next:
Do the next right thing.

Key Verse 
"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us." Hebrews 12:1 (NIV)

Rewatch the sermon here beginning at 00:33:04.

     Hebrews 12:1–2 calls us to lay aside everything that hinders us and the sin that entangles us. We are then told to run with perseverance the race God has set before us, keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith.

     Dr. Hopkins connected that passage to what it means to be truly Christ-centered.

Be Filled
     When we are filled with the Spirit, there is less room for the things that pull us away from Christ. Our attitudes, actions, words, and priorities begin to look different because Christ is at work within us.
     Being filled with the Spirit isn't simply about knowing more about Jesus. It is about allowing His presence to transform us.

Be Called
     God has a race marked out for each of us.
     We aren't all called to the same assignment, but we are all called to follow Christ faithfully. Understanding God's calling gives us direction when circumstances become difficult.
     Dr. Hopkins shared how his own plans to become an astronaut changed when God called him into ministry. His calling eventually led him into music, education, administration, and leadership at Campbellsville University.

Be Focused
     Hebrews tells us to keep our eyes fixed on Jesus.
     Just as a runner must remain focused on the race, Christians must resist the temptation to become distracted by everything happening around us.
     For First Baptist Church, that focus includes using the unique opportunities God has given this congregation in Pigeon Forge to reach people—including international students and visitors.
Hospitality can become ministry when our focus is Jesus.

Be Consistent
     The Christian life is not about one great spiritual moment. It is about faithfully taking the next step.
     Dr. Hopkins described the leadership principle used at Campbellsville University:
Do the next right thing.
     We may not know what the next ten steps look like. But God gives us enough light for the next step.

Reread Hebrews 12: 1-2

What does it really mean to be Christ-centered?
     It sounds like a simple phrase, but Sunday's message from Hebrews 12:1–2 reminds us that being centered in Christ affects every part of our lives.
     The writer of Hebrews gives us a picture of a runner.
     We are surrounded by witnesses. We are told to lay aside what weighs us down. We are told to run with perseverance.
     And then comes the most important instruction:That's where our focus belongs.

Be Filled
     A Christ-centered life begins with the work of God's Spirit within us.
     When we are filled with the Spirit, our lives begin to look different. Our words change. Our attitudes change. Our priorities change.
     The goal isn't simply to try harder to behave better.
     The goal is to allow God to transform us from the inside out.
     What needs to be pushed out of your life so there is more room for Christ?

Be Called
     God has a purpose for your life.
     That doesn't mean everyone has the same assignment. It means every believer has the opportunity to follow God's direction and faithfully run the race He has placed before them.  
     Sometimes God's calling takes us places we never expected.
     The important thing is not that we understand the entire plan. It's that we trust the One who does.

Be Focused
     Runners have to stay focused.
     So do Christians.
     Our world gives us an endless supply of things competing for our attention. Some are bad. Some are good. But even good things can become distractions if they take our eyes off Jesus.
     For our church, staying focused means recognizing the opportunities God has placed right in front of us.
     We live in a community where people from all over the world come through our doors. We have opportunities to welcome visitors, serve our neighbors, build relationships, and share Christ.
     Hospitality isn't just being friendly.
     Hospitality can be ministry.

Be Consistent
     Perhaps the most practical challenge from Sunday's message was this:
Do the next right thing.
   
     We often want to know what comes next, and then what comes after that.
     God may not show us the entire path.
     He may simply give us enough light for the next step.
     So take it.   
     You may never know what God does with your obedience.
     Sometimes you plant a seed and someone else gets to see the harvest.
     That doesn't make your obedience insignificant.
     It makes it faithful.

Keep Your Eyes on Jesus
     Being Christ-centered doesn't mean we will never stumble.
     It means that when we do, we turn our eyes back toward Jesus.
     Every morning we get another opportunity to begin again. Lay aside what weighs you down.
     Remember your calling.  
     Fix your eyes on Jesus.
     And do the next right thing.
     That's how we run the race.

This week...

ONE WEEK. ONE NEXT STEP.
Don't make this complicated.
Ask God:
"What is the next right thing?"
Then do it.
Not ten things.
Not everything.
Just the next thing God puts in front of you.
Be Filled.
Be Called.
Be Focused.
Be Consistent.
And keep your eyes on Jesus.

✅ Begin each day with prayer.
✅ Read Hebrews 12: 1-2 at least three times.
✅ Memorize Hebrews 12: 1.
✅ Look for one opportunity this week to do the next thing God puts in front of you.
✅ Encourage another believer who may be facing a spiritual battle.

Icebreaker 
When you think about "being Christ-centered," what does that look like in everyday life?
 
Read
Hebrews 12: 1-2
 
Discuss 
The sermon connected laying aside sin and distractions with being filled with the Spirit.

1. What are some things that can "weigh us down" spiritually?
2. Why is it sometimes easier to focus on removing bad things than on filling our lives with God's presence?
3. How does being filled with the Spirit affect the way we speak and treat other people?
4. Where do you most need the Spirit's transforming work this week?

Application
Ask God each morning:
"Lord, fill me with Your Spirit today and show me what needs to be laid aside."
 
This Week's Challenge
Write down one area where you believe God is calling you to be more obedient.

Parents, use these questions around the dinner table this week.

Read Together: Hebrews 12:1–2

TALK ABOUT IT
     Have you ever been on a long car ride and asked, “Are we there yet?”
     Sometimes following Jesus can feel a little like that. We want to know where we're going, how long it will take, and what is going to happen next.
     But Hebrews 12:1–2 reminds us that we don't have to see the whole journey.
     We just need to keep our eyes on Jesus.
     The Bible compares our life with Jesus to a race. A runner doesn't stop every few minutes to wonder where the finish line is.         The runner keeps moving forward.
     And sometimes the next step is all we need to know.
     Sunday's message gave us four ways to live a Christ-centered life:
Be Filled — Let God's Spirit guide you.
Be Called — Remember that God has a purpose for your life.
Be Focused — Keep your eyes on Jesus.
Be Consistent — Keep doing what is right, even when it's difficult.

ASK YOUR FAMILY

1. What do you think it means to "keep your eyes on Jesus"?
2. What are some things that can distract us from Jesus?
3. What is one thing our family can do this week to spend more time with Jesus?
4. What might be the next right thing God wants you to do?

TRY THIS TOGETHER
     Take a walk as a family.
     As you walk, talk about how you don't need to know every step of the journey before you begin.
     Then choose one family member to lead the way.
     The rest of the family follows.
     Talk about this:
     "Following Jesus means trusting Him to lead us, even when we can't see everything ahead."

FAMILY CHALLENGE
     This week, choose one "next right thing" to do as a family.
     It could be:

• Invite someone to dinner.
• Encourage someone who is having a hard week.
• Help a neighbor.
• Pray for someone who needs Jesus.
• Invite someone to church.
• Do something kind for someone without expecting anything in return.

     Whatever you choose, remember:
     Small acts of obedience can become seeds God uses in someone's life.

PRAY TOGETHER
Dear Jesus,
     Help us keep our eyes on You.
     Fill us with Your Spirit and help us follow Your calling for our family. When we become distracted, help us turn our attention back to You.
     Show us the next right thing to do, and give us courage to do it.
     Help our family love people, welcome people, serve people, and point people toward You.
     We trust You with the journey because You know where we're going.
     Amen.

THIS WEEK'S FAMILY PHRASE
"Keep your eyes on Jesus and do the next right thing."
Hebrews 12:1–2