Key Takeaways
1. Pre-Decide to Be Ready: Guard Against Temptation
The quality of our decisions determines the quality of our lives.
Anticipate temptation. Recognizing that temptation is inevitable, proactively decide how to respond before it arises. This involves understanding personal weaknesses and vulnerabilities, and then creating a plan to avoid or mitigate those situations. Like Samson, we must identify our "lines" and move them further away from danger.
Move the line. Instead of testing the boundaries of temptation, create clear and firm boundaries. This might involve avoiding certain places, people, or situations that are known triggers. For example, if struggling with online spending, unsubscribe from tempting email lists or block shopping websites.
Magnify the cost. Before engaging in a potentially compromising situation, consider the potential consequences. This could include damage to relationships, loss of trust, spiritual harm, or financial repercussions. By vividly imagining the negative outcomes, the allure of temptation diminishes.
2. Devotion Requires Intentionality: Prioritize God First
If you don’t put God first, nothing else will work right.
God First. Devotion to God is not a passive feeling but an active choice. It requires intentionally prioritizing Him above all other pursuits, whether career, relationships, or personal desires. This means making time for prayer, Bible study, and worship, even when it's inconvenient.
Signs of devotion. A devoted life is characterized by a mind focused on God, a heart that breaks for what breaks His, and a life that reflects His values. This includes generosity, compassion, and a desire to share the Gospel with others.
Combat distractions. The enemy seeks to derail our devotion through distractions, often disguised as good things. We must be vigilant in identifying and minimizing these distractions, whether social media, entertainment, or even well-intentioned activities that crowd out time with God.
3. Faithfulness Multiplies: Steward Every Opportunity
We make our decisions, and then our decisions make us.
Faithfulness in the small things. God entrusts us with resources, talents, and opportunities, and our faithfulness lies in how we steward them. This means using our time, money, and abilities to add value to others, multiply resources, and obey God's promptings.
Multiply resources. Faithfulness isn't about hoarding but about multiplying. Like the servants in Jesus' parable, we are called to invest what we've been given, whether it's our finances, skills, or relationships, to generate a greater return for God's kingdom.
Obey promptings. God speaks to us through various means, including the Holy Spirit, Scripture, and circumstances. Faithfulness means being attuned to these promptings and acting on them, even when they seem illogical or inconvenient.
4. Influence Starts with Action: Be Salt and Light
Every decision you make is a vote toward who you will become.
Salt and light. As followers of Christ, we are called to be salt and light in the world, flavoring and illuminating the lives of those around us. This means actively engaging with the world, not withdrawing from it, and using our influence to point others to Jesus.
Influence with action. Influence isn't about having a large platform but about living a life that reflects Christ's love and values. This includes praying for others, setting a positive example, and speaking words of truth and encouragement.
Overcome fear. Sharing our faith can be intimidating, but we must overcome fear and embrace the opportunities God provides. This might involve sharing our personal testimony, inviting someone to church, or simply offering a word of hope and encouragement.
5. Generosity is a Pre-Planned Heart Posture: Give Intentionally
It is more blessed to give than to receive.
Generosity is a heart issue. Generosity isn't about the amount we give but the attitude with which we give. It's a heart posture that prioritizes others' needs above our own, driven by a desire to honor God and reflect His character.
Plan to be generous. Generous people don't wait for spontaneous opportunities but proactively plan their giving. This might involve setting a budget for charitable donations, volunteering time, or looking for ways to bless others in practical ways.
Round up. Generosity often involves going above and beyond what's expected. This might mean giving a larger tip, offering extra help, or sacrificing personal comfort to meet someone else's needs.
6. Consistency Compounds: Small Steps, Big Results
Good and evil both increase at compound interest.
Small steps. Consistency is not about grand gestures but about small, daily actions. Like compound interest, these small steps accumulate over time, leading to significant results.
Start with why. A strong "why" is essential for maintaining consistency. When faced with challenges or setbacks, a clear understanding of our purpose will fuel our perseverance.
Plan to fail. Setbacks are inevitable, but they don't have to derail our progress. By planning for failure and developing strategies to get back on track, we can maintain momentum and avoid discouragement.
7. Finishing Requires Grit: Persevere Through Hardship
A prudent person foresees danger and takes precautions.
Grit is essential. Grit, or perseverance, is the key to achieving long-term goals. It's the ability to keep going despite obstacles, setbacks, and discouragement.
Embrace the hard. The path to greatness is rarely easy. It requires embracing challenges, learning from failures, and refusing to give up.
Focus on Jesus. When tempted to quit, fix your eyes on Jesus, the ultimate example of perseverance. Remember His sacrifice and the joy that was set before Him, and draw strength from His example.
8. The Power of "Why": Motivation Beyond Willpower
Each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed.
Why trumps willpower. Willpower is a limited resource, but a strong "why" can sustain us through difficult times. By connecting our goals to a deeper purpose, we tap into a source of motivation that transcends fleeting desires.
Define your why. Take time to prayerfully consider the reasons behind your goals. What impact do you want to make? What values do you want to embody? A clear and compelling "why" will fuel your consistency and perseverance.
Shift from willpower to why-power. Instead of relying on sheer force of will, cultivate a deep-seated commitment to your purpose. This will enable you to overcome obstacles and stay on track, even when motivation wanes.
9. God's Pre-Decision: He Chose You First
I will be ready.
God's initiative. Before we can choose Him, God has already chosen us. He has demonstrated His love and commitment through the sacrifice of Jesus, offering us forgiveness, redemption, and eternal life.
Respond in kind. Our pre-decisions are a response to God's initiative. We choose to be ready, devoted, faithful, influential, generous, consistent, and finishers because He has first shown us the way.
Live in His power. We are not alone in our efforts. God empowers us through the Holy Spirit to live out these pre-decisions, enabling us to overcome our weaknesses and fulfill His purpose for our lives.
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FAQ
What is "Think Ahead: 7 Decisions You Can Make Today for the God-Honoring Life You Want Tomorrow" by Craig Groeschel about?
- Intentional decision-making focus: The book centers on the power of making intentional, pre-decided choices to live a God-honoring life.
- Seven transformative pre-decisions: Groeschel outlines seven key decisions—being ready, devoted, faithful, an influencer, generous, consistent, and a finisher—that shape a purposeful Christian life.
- Blends faith and science: The book combines biblical wisdom with scientific research on habits and decision-making to help readers bridge the gap between intentions and actions.
- Practical and spiritual guidance: Readers are equipped with actionable steps to overcome common struggles and live in alignment with God’s purpose.
Why should I read "Think Ahead" by Craig Groeschel?
- Addresses real-life struggles: The book tackles common challenges like decision fatigue, temptation, inconsistency, and fear, offering practical solutions.
- Empowers lasting change: By focusing on pre-decisions, readers learn to build habits that lead to transformation and spiritual growth, not just temporary change.
- Relatable and encouraging: Groeschel shares personal stories and biblical examples, making the content accessible and motivating for anyone seeking a more intentional life.
- Moves from intention to action: The book helps readers close the gap between what they want to do and what they actually do, leading to a more fruitful, God-honoring life.
What are the seven life-defining pre-decisions in "Think Ahead" by Craig Groeschel?
- I will be ready: Prepare spiritually and practically to resist temptation and avoid sin.
- I will be devoted: Prioritize God first by establishing intentional rhythms and undistracted time with Him.
- I will be faithful: Commit to integrity, stewardship, and obedience in all areas of life.
- I will be an influencer: Use prayers, example, and words to positively impact others for Christ.
- I will be generous: Make generosity a planned and consistent lifestyle, not just a reaction.
- I will be consistent: Build sustainable habits and routines that support ongoing growth.
- I will be a finisher: Persevere and complete what God has called you to do, refusing to quit.
What are the key takeaways from "Think Ahead" by Craig Groeschel?
- Pre-deciding shapes destiny: The quality of your pre-decisions determines the quality of your life and spiritual growth.
- Overcome decision fatigue: Automating key decisions reduces overwhelm, fear, and emotional impulsiveness.
- Faithfulness and influence matter: Small, consistent acts of faithfulness and influence have a compounding effect over time.
- Generosity and perseverance: True generosity and finishing well require intentional planning and reliance on God’s strength.
What are the three main enemies of excellent decision-making in "Think Ahead" by Craig Groeschel?
- Overwhelm and decision fatigue: Making thousands of daily decisions can lead to mental exhaustion and poor choices.
- Fear and analysis paralysis: Fear of making the wrong choice or missing God’s plan can cause indecision and stagnation.
- Emotion-driven choices: Letting emotions override logic often leads to impulsive or irrational decisions, especially in critical moments.
How does Craig Groeschel define and use "pre-deciding" in "Think Ahead"?
- Definition of pre-deciding: Pre-deciding means making choices in advance about how you’ll respond to future situations, especially temptations or challenges.
- Reduces negative influences: This approach lessens the impact of overwhelm, fear, and emotional hijacking by aligning actions with values.
- Biblical examples: Figures like Abraham, Ruth, and Daniel pre-decided their commitments, enabling them to honor God in difficult moments.
- Practical benefits: Pre-deciding simplifies daily life, increases confidence, and helps maintain integrity under pressure.
How does "Think Ahead" by Craig Groeschel explain the process of temptation and sin?
- Temptation as a process: Temptation begins with a thought, progresses to imagination and justification, and culminates in the act of sin.
- Temptation is not sin: Being tempted is a normal human experience; sin only occurs when one acts on temptation.
- Consequences of sin: While sin may seem appealing initially, it leads to separation from God, guilt, shame, and spiritual death.
- Pre-deciding to resist: The book emphasizes the importance of pre-deciding to avoid temptation and planning escape routes in advance.
What practical strategies does "Think Ahead" offer for resisting temptation?
- Move the line: Set boundaries that keep you far from temptation, rather than seeing how close you can get without falling.
- Magnify the cost: Reflect on the worst-case consequences of giving in to temptation to strengthen your resolve.
- Plan your escape: Decide ahead of time how you’ll exit tempting situations, following biblical examples like Joseph.
- Rely on God’s help: Trust that God always provides a way out and commit to taking it.
How does "Think Ahead" by Craig Groeschel describe true devotion to God and minimizing distractions?
- Devotion over duty: True devotion is a passionate pursuit of God, not just going through religious motions.
- Indicators of devotion: Your thoughts, spending, time, decisions, and what breaks your heart reveal your true priorities.
- Combatting distractions: The book warns that distractions are a primary tool of the enemy to pull believers away from Jesus.
- Intentional spiritual rhythms: Establishing set times, places, and plans for spiritual practices helps maintain focus and deepen your relationship with God.
What does "Think Ahead" teach about faithfulness and responding to God’s promptings?
- Faithfulness in all things: Being faithful means adding value in every interaction, multiplying resources, and obeying God’s promptings.
- Obedience requires risk: Faithfulness often involves stepping out in faith, even when the outcome is uncertain.
- God honors faithfulness: The book highlights that being faithful with little leads to being entrusted with more, as seen in biblical parables.
- Every moment matters: Treating every opportunity as significant can lead to greater impact and spiritual growth.
How does "Think Ahead" by Craig Groeschel define being an influencer for Christ?
- Everyone has influence: Influence is about affecting others’ behavior or character, not about fame or platform.
- Threefold approach: Influence is exercised through strategic prayer, living as a godly example, and speaking words that build up and point to Jesus.
- Engage with the world: Being salt and light means connecting with people where they are, even in challenging environments.
- Long-term commitment: Influence often requires patience and persistence, reflecting God’s enduring love for people.
What does "Think Ahead" by Craig Groeschel teach about generosity, consistency, and finishing well?
- Generosity is heart-based: True generosity is about willingness, not wealth, and involves planning, prioritizing God, and increasing giving over time.
- Consistency drives progress: Consistency is built on a strong “why,” planning for setbacks, and focusing on daily habits rather than distant goals.
- Finishing requires grit: Perseverance and endurance, not just talent, are key to completing what God has called you to do.
- Rely on God’s strength: The book encourages fixing your eyes on Jesus and trusting God to help you finish strong, even when challenges arise.
Review Summary
Think Ahead receives overwhelmingly positive reviews, with readers praising its practical Christian advice and actionable steps for making life-changing decisions. Many find the concept of "pre-deciding" valuable for overcoming challenges and living a God-honoring life. Readers appreciate Groeschel's engaging writing style, personal anecdotes, and biblical references. The book's emphasis on consistency, perseverance, and focusing on the process rather than just results resonates strongly. While a few reviewers found some content familiar, most consider it a powerful tool for spiritual growth and character development.
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