Moving From a Life of Distraction to a Life of Devotion

Feb 6

Grant Partrick shares a convicting talk about distraction and its role in the theft of the devotion God deserves. He challenges listeners through the story of Martha’s busyness to bring awareness to the pressing and increasing need for attentiveness. Grant highlights three major truths to lead us to ask the question, “Are there any things you need to stop doing, start doing, or do differently?”

Key Takeaway

1. Are there any things on your calendar or in your life you need to stop doing altogether? 2. Are there any things you need to start doing? 3. Are there any things you need to do differently?

1. Distraction is the great enemy of devotion.

2. Busyness is never the goal.

3. Our distractions move toward devotion through a vehicle called 'Discipline'.

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1. "Today is the 'tomorrow' you were worried about yesterday." 2. "One of the wiliest errors of the enemy is to destroy the best by the good." 3. "You will break the bow if you keep it always bent." 4. "When you lead, lead from approval, not for approval." 5. "There is a big difference between giving God your time and giving God your attention." 6. "A full calendar with a starving soul does not please God."

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1. Dr. Tony Evans 2. EM Bounds 3. Unknown 4. Louie Giglio 5. Grant Partrick 6. Grant Partrick

Discussion Questions

Grant Partrick started the talk with a story about hospitality. How is your hospitality this year? What are some hospitality-related aspirations/dreams/goals you have for your life?
Read back through Luke 10:38-43. Pause for a moment and have someone in the group pray that God will use this text to continue to impact the lives of the people in your group.
What all does it mean and represent to be “at the feet of Jesus”?
What was at the root of Martha’s mistake?
Do you have a story from a time where you were distracted from what is best by something that is good?
Grant shared about the Mood that is being used in the original Greek verb, “to do.” He went on to suggest that we should never use the ‘imperative’ Mood when speaking to God. What is the “Imperative Mood” and why should we not use it with God? When might be a time where it would be acceptable to use this Mood in speaking to God?
Why did Jesus use Martha’s name twice? What was likely the meaning in this repetition?
Grant asked a convicting question that requires a little more transparency than normal. Let’s answer it together: “Is there anything in you that is distracting you from what matters most?”
When does serving and working for Jesus lose its meaning? In other words, at what point does it become distracting?
Grant urged our House to ask and answer this question: “What are you most committed to in life?” Did you write anything down or can you answer if there is something from your daily schedule you need to “start doing,” “stop doing,” or “start doing differently”?

Scripture References

38.As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. 39.She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. 40.But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!”41. “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, 42.but few things are needed—or indeed only one.10:42 Some manuscripts but only one thing is needed Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”

Grant Partrick

Grant Partrick is a part of the team at Passion City Church and serves as the Cumberland Location Pastor. He is passionate about inspiring people to live their lives for what matters most. Grant and his wife, Maggie, live in Marietta, Georgia with their daughters, Mercy, Ember, and Charleigh. He is a graduate of Dallas Theological Seminary where he earned a masters of theology degree.