No Looking Back | July 2020 Bible Study

Key Scriptures for this Study:

Luke 9

Philippians 3:13

Genesis 19:26

Isaiah 43:18-19

Read Luke 9 (AMPC)

62 Jesus said to him, No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back [to the things behind] is fit for the kingdom of God. (Luke 9:62, AMPC)

We’ve all had moments and seasons of our life when we took the time to look back perhaps to reflect upon how far we’ve come, to look back and think about the things we did or didn’t do, the places we did or didn’t go, decisions we did or didn’t make. As you focus on this study, turn our attention to the change that has happened in our lives as a result of accepting Jesus Christ as our personal savior. Take this time to focus on the fact that we are saved by grace and because of God’s saving power we now have Him to do in our lives what we were unable to do on our own. Because of God’s love for us, He sent His Son Jesus to be our savior and atone for our sins. Once we accept Him as our Lord and Savior, we are then called to be His disciples, disciples follow Jesus, disciples follow the ways of the Lord, forsaking all to follow Him. You cannot follow and look back at the same time. Looking back while walking forward will lead to stumbling, injury and even death. Following anyone or anything requires you to look ahead. It is my prayer that you will find yourself intentionally refusing to look back and forever looking forward.

Think about the times in your life where you looked back, perhaps your looking back was due to poor decisions or refusing to do it God’s way. What are some of the things that happen when we look back?

Points to Ponder:

1. Refusing to look back and following Christ will require us to care more for others.

2. Refusing to look back takes away the enemy’s power of division.

3. Refuse to look back with a spirit of jealousy and pride.

4. You can look back (meaning REFLECT and REMEMBER) on how things started to determine the source or root of things, but use that information to help you better understand who you are and how you got where you are right now in life.

5. Refusing to look back will mean moving forward steadfastly and with determination in the Lord no matter what might await you.

6. Looking back will make you try to avoid the necessary route before you. Jesus knew the tension; He knew the history between the Samaritans and the Jews, but He did not let that keep him from traveling through. Don’t look back but go through.

7. Looking back and holding on to past offenses will hinder you from moving forward.

8. We must be willing to forsake all to follow Christ.