Spiritual Apathy 23 Jun 19

3 Statements of Apathetic Christians:

1. I’m going to heaven, what else matters?
2. I tried living for Jesus and it didn’t work.
3. I’m so busy.

Crushing Apathy in Our Lives:

1. Be a learner and a grower
2. Decide once and for all what matters and live for it

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1. Read, reflect, and discuss each of these passages individually.
   • I’m going to heaven. What else matters? (Philippians 3:12; Philippians 3:20-21; 1 John 3:2-3)
   • I tried living for Jesus and it didn’t work. (Philippians 3:13-14; Hebrews 10:17)
   • I’m so busy. (Philippians 3:13-14; 2 Timothy 1:6)
2. As you reflect on these passages as a whole, what stands out the most to you? Why?
3. As you reflect on the message, what one principle or insight stands out as being particularly
   • helpful?
   • insightful?
   • difficult to grasp?
   • challenging?
4. What do the passages and the message teach you about God? What do they teach you about yourself?
5. How could the next week be different if you incorporated these truths into your life?
6. If time allows, read and discuss these passages from gotquestions.org.
   • “Spiritual apathy, coldness, or indifference can affect even the most sincere Christian at one time or another. Human emotions being as fickle as they are, feelings of apathy or disinterest can sometimes replace the fervor we once felt for the things of God. Overcoming such apathy is necessary for continuing our walk with God. . . . First, the spiritually apathetic person needs to remember; that is, he should think back to the time when he sensed the warmth and closeness of Christ’s presence. He should realize that he can return to that state of fellowship. Then he needs to repent; that is, he needs to see his spiritual apathy as sin and confess that sin to God (1 John 1:9). Finally, he needs to renew; that is, he must cultivate a renewed commitment to the Lord—not just serving the Lord, but knowing Him, praising Him, and fellowshipping with Him. He should start again, if he has discontinued it, daily Bible reading and prayer. He should let the indwelling Holy Spirit empower him so his life will display the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22–23). And he should fellowship with a Bible-believing local church (Hebrews 10:25).
     Satan loves apathy. We must stay alert to the temptations of the old nature, the world, and the evil one. We must never lose the sense that God is always with us and in us. “We have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us” (2 Corinthians 4:7). As we begin to worship and praise the Lord and let Christ control our lives each day, we will rediscover a life of adventure filled with joy and eternal purpose. We will wonder how we ever became spiritually apathetic in the first place.” How can I overcome spiritual apathy?

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