Jay Strack - 8 Essentials for a Life of Significance

STUDENT LEADERSHIP UNIVERSITY
STUDY GUIDE SERIES

8 ESENTIALS
FOR A LIFE OF
SIGNIFICANCE

JAY STRACK
RON LUCE

Copyright 2006 by Student Leadership University

All rights reserved. No portion of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any meanselectronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording, scanning, or otherexcept for brief quotations in critical reviews or articles, without the prior written permission of the publisher.

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All Scripture quotations are taken from The New King James Version. Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

ISBN: 978-1-4185-0598-1

Printed in the United States of America

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Page design by Crosslin Creative
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CONTENTS

1.KEEP A QUIET TIME
Daniel

2.LIVE A LIFE OF WORSHIP
David

3.PARTNER WITH OTHERS IN THE GOSPEL
Timothy

4.MAKE NO COMPROMISE
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego

5.KEEP AN OPEN HEART
Lydia

6.KEEP THE DREAM ALIVE
Joseph

7.TURN PAIN INTO COMPASSION
Esther

8.START A REVOLUTION
John the Baptist

Life is either a daring adventure or nothing.
Helen Keller

These pages tell incredible true stories of teens that lived in Bible times. You will be challenged, amazed, encouraged, and inspired by the stories of teens whose lives made a real impact in their world, including Daniel, David, Esther, Joseph, Timothy, and others. Granted, the world they lived in was different from the one you live in, but their challenges and temptations were the same.

Eight Essentials for a Life of Significance is designed to help you change the world around you by first implementing change in your own life. In this study guide, we will walk through the eight essentials that will transform your life. As God begins to work in your life, people will see the change in your attitude, behavior, and even in your conversation. You may find people asking, Whats different about you? Can I get in on that?

Then, as you begin to partner with others who believe and live as you do, you will be able to boldly move forward with the dreams God has set before you and to go about making a real difference in your worldin your school, in your home, and in your church.

This is not just a study to read through; it is a book to do. Open your heart to what God has to say to you and you will find new meaning in your lifea bold courageous faith, a quiet inner peace, and a passion for going above and beyond.

STUDENT LEADERSHIP UNIVERSITY CURRICULUM

Throughout this study guide, you will see several icons or headings that represent an idea, a statement, or a question that we want you to consider as you experience Scripture in this study guide series. Refer to the descriptions below to help you remember what the icons and headings mean.

transfuse (trans FYOOZ):to cause to pass from one transfuse to another; transmit

The goal of the lesson for the week.

Experience Scripture: Learning to really experience Scripture is the key element to getting who God is and all that He has in store for you.

infuse (in FYOOZ):to cause to be permeated with something infuse (as a principle or quality) that alters usually for the better

Through journaling, group discussion, and personal study, experience Scripture as it permeates your heart and alters your life.

Future Tense Living: Your choices today will determine your future. Learn how to live with dynamic purpose and influence.

Attitude Reloaded: Rethink your attitude! Learn to replace self-centered, negative, or limited thoughts with positive, courageous, compassionate thoughts that are based on Gods unlimited ability and power.

In His Steps: Every attitude and action of your life should begin with the questions, How would Jesus respond to this person and situation before me? What would He choose to do?

diffuse (di FYOOZ):to pour out and permit or cause to spread diffuse freely; to extend, scatter

Once Gods Word is infused into your heart, it will pour forth to others without restraint. In this section, explore what that looks like in your daily life.

Called to Lead: Learn how to lead others as Christ would.

Called to Stand: Know what you believe and learn how to defend it with clarity and strength.

Called to Share: Sharing truth and serving others are results of a transformed life. How can you share with others the awesome things youre learning?

One Thing: Consider ONE THING you can do this week to make a difference in your life and/or the life of another.

[FU SE BOX]

Power up for the week with this focused truth.

CHAPTER 1
KEEP A
QUIET TIME
DANIEL

KEY SCRIPTURE

For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope.

Romans 15:4

COULD THIS BE YOU?

He could hear the members of his church scream, Champ! as he ran up and down the court. Some people might have thought the cheer was merely praise for the six-foot-nine guy wearing the L.A. Lakers jersey, but to the young athlete, the cheer had a deeper meaning. It was to remind A. C. Green and his friends from church that they were striving to be champions for Christ.

There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle.

Albert Einstein

At the age of seventeen, A.C. became a Christian and dedicated his life to the Lord. He continued his spiritual journey while attending Oregon State University. In college, even though I had 7:30 a.m. lectures and labs some mornings, I made it a practice to get up by 6:00 a.m. to spend time with God.

Now retired from the NBA, A.C. still holds the NBA Iron Man title for having played in 1,192 straight games. But most players and coaches remember him for another numberzero. Thats the number of women he slept with as a professional basketball player.