The Standard response:
1. God
2. Family
3. Country
If the amount of time we give determines
priorities it would be something like:
1. Work
2. Recreation – TV, Internet, hobbies, etc.
3. Family – school functions, vacations, ballet, etc.
4. Health – gym, walking, etc.
5. Education
6. Church
7. Community
Maybe our Priorities are based on what is most
important to us, what we’d be least likely to
give up:
1. God
2. Family
3. Friends
4. Country
5. Recreation
Priorities change but
Christ should always be
at the Center.
Christ
Family
Work
Church
Community
Education
Recreation
Matthew 22:33–38 (HCSB)
35 And one of them, an expert in the law, asked
a question to test Him: 36 “Teacher, which
commandment in the law is the greatest?” 37 He
said to him, “Love the Lord your God with all
your heart, with all your soul, and with all your
mind. 38 This is the greatest and most
important commandment.
 Love Him with my heart – emotions, passions,
with zeal
 Love Him with my soul – my talents, abilities,
gifts, my personality
 Love Him with my mind – my intellect, my
rational being
Christ
Family
Work
Church
Community
Education
Recreation
Matthew 32:39-40
39 The second is like it: Love your neighbor as
yourself. 40 All the Law and the Prophets
depend on these two commandments.”
Who is your neighbor?
Christ
Family
Work
Church
Community
Education
Recreation
There is no conflict in loving God with all my
heart, soul and mind. But there is in loving
people.
What do I do when my heart (emotions), soul
and mind (intellect) are in conflict on how to
love a person or persons?
Your child’s inoculations.
Disciplining our children.
Homework vs. play.
Giving to a pan handler.
Reporting a student that has cheated on a test.
Standing up to a bully.
Giving to the church or other charity.
Trust God
Proverbs 3:5–6 (ESV)
5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do
not lean on your own understanding. 6 In all
your ways acknowledge him, and he will make
straight your paths.
Christ
Family
Work
Church
Community
Education
Recreation
 Circumstances change priorities
◦ Health
◦ Family issues
◦ Economics
◦ Social issues
◦ Environmental
 Seasons of life change priorities
◦ High School
◦ College
◦ Young family
◦ Retired
Christ
Family
Work
Church
Community
Education
Recreation
Because
Christ is
central,
I’m the
same
person in
each
area.
John 13:34–35 (HCSB)
34 “I give you a new commandment: love one
another. Just as I have loved you, you must also
love one another. 35 By this all people will know
that you are My disciples, if you have love for
one another.”
 Worship – keep focus on the center
 Instruction – in God’s Word and application
toward family, work, community, etc.
 Fellowship – encouragement, friendship,
accountability, retreat from the world and
training ground to enter the world.
 Evangelism – When we love within the church,
people notice. Bring the center to others and
others to the Center.
John 13:34–35 (HCSB)
34 “I give you a new commandment: love one
another. Just as I have loved you, you must also
love one another. 35 By this all people will know
that you are My disciples, if you have love for
one another.”
Christ
Family
Work
Church
Community
Education
Recreation
Note the
direction
of the
arrows
Christ
Family
Work
Church
Community
Education
Recreation
 Is there any area in your life where Christ is
not at the center?
◦ Family?
◦ Work?
◦ Community?
◦ Education?
◦ Recreation?
◦ Church?
◦ Other?
 If Christ is at the Center of your life He will
become the center of other’s lives.

The Christ Centered Life (Part 1)