(pages provided with scripture references refer to the LIVE Teen Study Bible, New Living Translation.)

p. 205 – Deuteronomy 30:15-16 (Choose who you will serve)

p. 201 – Deuteronomy 28:1-14 (to help us choose)

To play the Minute to Win It games, it really only took 60 seconds to win or lose each game. But someone had to prepare it. Someone had to go to the store and get the supplies, someone had to set up the games, and someone had to organize it.  Someone had to make the games ready to play.

We’re going to look at a few people who had “a minute to win it”. What they did in that short time was a defining moment. They had a choice to make.

p. 286 – 1 Samuel 17:41-51 – David and Goliath

–      Everyone else in the army was afraid. David alone stood on God’s promises. He knew what God had promised in Deuteronomy 28.

–      How long do you think it took for him to put the stone in his sling and shoot it at Goliath?

–      His choice and resulting win helped others choose right. The whole army got behind him – but only after he had defeated Goliath.

p. 956 – Matthew 9:9 – Matthew follows Jesus

–      Matthew had a successful career. Jesus came along and made him an offer.

–      How was his life changed, do you think, by being continually around Jesus for a few years?

–      His decision only took a moment but it changed him forever.

My decision to give my life back to God

–      It wasn’t some huge, bug moment that I realized at the time. It was a quiet realization that I needed to get right with God.

–      I knew my life could be better, even if I didn’t fully understand how much better it would become.

–      Not only did things start to work better for me, but the peace and love for others began to grow in me. The constant anger I had felt most of my life began to dissipate. The fear that I carried grew less and less.

–      It only took a minute for me to decide to give my life to God.

p. 1083 – Acts 9:1-6 – Paul’s conversion

–      Paul was persecuting Christians. He was a lot like Bin Laden. He really believed it was right to arrest and kill Christians because he thought they were offensive to God.

–      Jesus stopped him on the road and said, “Hey!”

–      It only took Paul a minute to choose to change his life – a 180 degree turn around

–      He went from arresting (and taking part in killing) Christians to being one of their most passionate leaders.

The blessings of Deuteronomy 28 are for those who obey God.

p. 205 – Deuteronomy 30:15-16 – You must choose. The choice is obvious.

p. 1120 – Romans 10:9

– All it takes to give your life to God and be saved is to believe and say it out loud.

p. 1120 – Romans 10:17

–      Faith comes by hearing. It doesn’t come by trying to get faith. It COMES… it just happens. How? By hearing God’s Word.

–      What if you aren’t really sure what you believe, but you know you need God – you know you want to be a Christian?

–      ***You don’t TRY to believe something. You CHOOSE to believe it.***

Remember when we did the World War Z Bible study? You believed that Terry and I were married, even though you haven’t seen a marriage certificate, even though I wasn’t wearing my wedding ring. And you believed Justin is our son. Can he prove it? Does he remember being born?

When you choose to believe that Terry and I are married, it just makes sense… why we are always together, etc. When you believe that Justin is our son, then it makes sense that he lives with us, etc.

It’s the same deal with God. Choose to believe – even a little – and the next thing you know, the things around you start to make sense. Hear God’s Word, and your faith will begin to grow.

The decision: It only takes a minute.

NOW is the time for a decision. Maybe this will be the first time you’ve given your life to God. Maybe you are a Christian, but you haven’t been living how you know you should. Or maybe you haven’t felt peace in your heart, or you just want to know God better.

John 10:10 – Jesus said, “I have come that they may have and ENJOY life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till it overflows).”

Prayer together:

Heavenly Father, I take this moment right now to commit my life to You. I choose to turn away from the sinful things I have done and turn to You and Your ways. I choose to believe that Your Son, Jesus, died on the cross to take away my sins, and He rose again to give me new life. I choose to follow You and make You Lord of my life. I choose to receive all You have promised to those who believe. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

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