AS YOU READ, LOOK FOR
How God defines victory.
God’s promises.
Bible truths about victory.
STUDY
THINK IT THROUGH
How do you define victory? Is it a winning season, a happy family or accomplishing that one big goal? Victories are easily measured in sports by number of wins which are in turn determined by points, distance, seconds, etc. Even in academics, victories can be measured using test scores and grades. For much of our lives, it’s easy to claim victory and there are so many opportunities to boost (or stifle) our self-esteem because of it.
The game shifts, however, as life moves us beyond athletics and measurable academics. The stakes and prizes look different. Victory is referred to as success, and like victory, success could be straightforward or subjective and circumstantial. It could be based on the number of followers we have, who likes us and who does not, how or who we marry, where we live and work or our network and net worth. It could feel, at times, as though we’re never winning. In response, we constantly seek tangible rewards to satisfy that taste for victory.
What if there were more constant opportunities for victory for which there is no scoreboard? We receive this victory even before a finish line is reached and a determination of win or lose is made. We’ve already seen this victory the moment we decide to pursue whatever it is with and for God. Let’s dive in to how we can experience victory with God without the pressures of performance.
THE WORD
Click on the Bible tab and let’s look to some key verses. Take 10 minutes to read the following verses and discuss what God is saying to you about strength. As you read through each verse, what are some characteristics of God’s strength?
What should victory look like for a follower of Christ?
All of us who are in Christ — that is we have received Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior – are victorious. We live a life of victory whether we realize it or not. God works all things together for our good. Go back to Romans 8:28. What do we learn about God?
When we choose to first seek His Kingdom, He provides for us fully. He cares for us. Through Jesus Christ, God has given us the ability to reign in life (see Romans 5:17).
Victory requires there be some opponent, opposition, resistance, etc. to face and something to attain. It could be a moving target, stationary goal or a challenge of some sort. In any case, we must encounter trials of some kind for a chance to taste victory, and value develops in the process. This cannot be emphasized enough in life. Several passages in the Bible encourage us through our trials — not around them or despite them. Through His Word, God urges us again and again to endure, pursue, and remain steadfast all in an effort to hold on to our core belief in Jesus Christ and the belief that God is who He says He is.
Read James 1:2-4 and Romans 5:3-4 again.
Read aloud as a group and then discuss what the Bible says about our mindset when we lose or fail.
Sure, outcomes and personal growth are wonderful victories we have in this life, but there is an even greater prize for the believer. The ultimate victor’s prize is God Himself. He is ours as much as we are His. Everything Jesus Christ went through was to reconcile us with God. To be victorious in this life is to have a constantly growing relationship with our Creator, using the power of the Holy Spirit which we have because of Jesus Christ. It’s all about our personal and intimate connection to the Father.
We are victorious as we pursue everything with and by God. Do we take a moment to pause and seek God’s Kingdom and righteousness with our decisions? Do we consult the Father about what to prioritize on our busy schedules? Do we invite the Holy Spirit into the process with us? Do we commit our plans to the Lord? “Unless the Lord builds a house, the work of the builders is wasted” (Psalm 127:1). We get to live victorious through the daily recommitment of our lives and selves as a living sacrifice to the Lord.
Once we are connected to the Ultimate Prize, we only need to walk in our victory. The battles and therefore opportunities for victory are not always obvious. We must already know by faith that we are already victorious, despite external circumstances, and approach life with that mindset. “He gives us victory over sin and death through our Lord Jesus Christ” — 1 Corinthians 15:57.
We are victorious over fear, obstacles in life, negative thinking and self-talk, obsessions, addictions and even the enemy of God. Even though there will be many times we feel like we lost or came up short, there is no scoreboard here. We must approach the obscurity believing that we’ve already overcome and then behave like it. In so doing, we get to live in and experience that triumph.
TAKEWAY TRUTH
The life of the believer is not measured in points, time and distance. Other people are not the losers on the other side of our wins. We live a celebratory life by embracing the fact that, because of Jesus Christ, we are victorious!
TEAM TIME
Application
As teammates, you can help each other learn to the Truth about who you are as God’s daughters. The theory that there’s strength in numbers is supported in Scripture—starting with the Father Himself as One of Three—and it certainly applies to you in your quest to embrace who you really are. By joining forces with your teammates, you can multiply your strength and resources in the battle for your souls. As a group, let’s work through the following questions and activities together:
How do you define victory in your personal life?
Consider again Psalm 73:25-26 and Psalm 16:2. What do you think about the idea that God is your prize?
What is your plan of action for pursuing victory in your life?
WORK IT OUT
Read Isaiah 52:2
Before the next session, be confident and attempt to memorize this Scripture.
PRAYER
As we embrace the victory we receive from Jesus Christ today, let's close in the this prayer:
“Lord, Thank You that I am victorious in You. Because of You, I can accomplish, and I can overcome. Not only do you make me victorious in this life, but You, O God, are my prize. Help me to live in Your victory. In Jesus’ name, amen.”