Think Ahead

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.