We were reminded during the weekend message that it is always easier to quit than to persevere and endure. It is true that when things become difficult and exhaust us, quitting often seems more appealing. The truth is, however, that quitting never serves us well or takes us where we would like to be. It also leaves us stunted, with little emotional or spiritual growth. What really grows and matures us is perseverance. When we keep going, even when life is challenging or throws us curveballs, we become stronger and more resilient. Today in our Bible study, we are going to turn to Scripture to learn how to fight against procrastination, busyness, and idolatry, three things that tempt us to quit and give up when it comes to running the race that God has set before us.
When was a time you kept going, even when life was difficult? What happened, and how did it impact you?
1. What are the common reasons why people quit?
2. Read James 4:17. Summarize the message of this passage of Scripture.
James 4:17
Remember, it is sin to know what you ought to do and then not do it.
3. How does James 4:17 speak to how we spend our time, particularly regarding procrastination and busyness?
4. Read 1 John 5:21. How does idolatry, “anything that might take God’s place in your hearts,” impact our perseverance and endurance as we seek to live lives that honor God?
1 John 5:21
Dear children, keep away from anything that might take God’s place in your hearts.
1. How can you become a better manager of your time, not letting busyness or procrastination rule and impact the spiritual race you are running that God has set before you?
2, What things today have become idols for people?
3. What idols have you allowed into your life?
When it comes to letting go of the things that discourage you from persevering in the spiritual race that you are running, which area is in need of growth: time management (specifically related to procrastination or busyness) or letting go of idolatry? Share that with your group, along with one step you can take this week to grow in that area. When everyone has finished, pray together, asking God to help each one of you persevere in the race He has set out for you all.
In our Bible study today, we have examined things that often tempt us to quit, such as busyness, procrastination, or idolatry, and how to fight against them. Let's spend the next few moments looking at three things from Scripture to remember when we feel tempted to give up and quit.
People today build their lives on many things, such as their possessions, a person, their vocation, or something else. These things are not bad, but they are shaky, unstable foundations to build our lives on. If we want to be rooted and grounded in Christ, we must build our lives on Him as our firm foundation and Him alone.
1. Read 1 Corinthians 3:4-11.
1 Corinthians 3:4-11
4 When one of you says, “I am a follower of Paul,” and another says, “I follow Apollos,” aren’t you acting just like people of the world? 5 After all, who is Apollos? Who is Paul? We are only God’s servants through whom you believed the Good News. Each of us did the work the Lord gave us. 6 I planted the seed in your hearts, and Apollos watered it, but it was God who made it grow. 7 It’s not important who does the planting, or who does the watering. What’s important is that God makes the seed grow. 8 The one who plants and the one who waters work together with the same purpose. And both will be rewarded for their own hard work. 9 For we are both God’s workers. And you are God’s field. You are God’s building. 10 Because of God’s grace to me, I have laid the foundation like an expert builder. Now others are building on it. But whoever is building on this foundation must be very careful. 11 For no one can lay any foundation other than the one we already have—Jesus Christ.
2. Summarize Paul’s main point in this passage of Scripture.
3. What is the impact of building our lives on the foundation of Christ?
4. What does it look like today to build our lives on the foundation of Christ?
Scripture teaches that one day, we will stand before Christ and answer for how we lived our lives, the good and bad. It also teaches that we will be rewarded for the good things that we have done. That means that each moment we face matters because we always have the opportunity to do good and honor Christ.
1. Read 1 Corinthians 3:13-15.
1 Corinthians 3:13-15
13 But on the judgment day, fire will reveal what kind of work each builder has done. The fire will show if a person’s work has any value. 14 If the work survives, that builder will receive a reward. 15 But if the work is burned up, the builder will suffer great loss. The builder will be saved, but like someone barely escaping through a wall of flames.
2. What does this passage of Scripture reveal about the future?
3. Compare the person whose work is determined to have value versus the person whose work is burned up.
4. How does this passage of Scripture motivate you to persevere?
Scripture teaches us that we are not alone in the spiritual race that God has set before us. He is working in and through us as we seek to honor Him. What a gift that He does not leave us to our own devices to run the spiritual race well! We can run this race confidently, knowing that He is with us the whole way.
1. Read Hebrews 13:20-21.
Hebrews 13:20-21
20 Now may the God of peace— who brought up from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great Shepherd of the sheep, and ratified an eternal covenant with his blood—21 may he equip you with all you need for doing his will. May he produce in you, through the power of Jesus Christ, every good thing that is pleasing to him. All glory to him forever and ever! Amen.
2. What promise do we have as we seek to honor and glorify God through our words and actions according to this passage of Scripture?
3. How does God equip us to run the race He set before us?
4. How does remembering the truth from this passage of Scripture impact you as you think about the spiritual race you are running?
Which reminder from Scripture do you need to hear the most today: build your life on Christ alone, remember the future reward, or let God produce fruit in you? Why? Commit to memorizing Scripture related to the reminder you selected over this next week. Bring this Scripture to mind often, and come ready to discuss next week the impact that Scripture memory had.
©2025 Sagebrush Church
