Über die Autorin bzw. den Autor

Dr. Charles F. Stanley was the founder of In Touch Ministries and pastor emeritus of First Baptist Church of Atlanta, Georgia, where he served more than fifty years. He was also a New York Times bestselling author of more than seventy books. Until his death in 2023, Dr. Stanley's mission was to get the gospel to "as many people as possible, as quickly as possible, as clearly as possible, as irresistibly as possible, through the power of the Holy Spirit to the glory of God." This is a calling that In Touch Ministries continues to pursue by transmitting his teachings as widely and effectively as possible.

Dr. Stanley's messages can be heard daily on In Touch with Dr. Charles Stanley broadcasts on television, radio, and satellite networks and stations around the world; on the internet at intouch.org and through In Touch+ and the Charles Stanley Institute; and via the In Touch Messenger Lab. Excerpts from Dr. Stanley's inspiring messages are also published in the award-winning In Touch devotional magazine.

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How to REACH YOUR FULL POTENTIAL for GOD

Thomas Nelson

Contents

Introduction...........................................................1Chapter 1-Do You Want God's Best?......................................3Chapter 2-Don't Settle for less........................................11Chapter 3-Ready ... Set ... Pursue Your Potential!.....................21Chapter 4-Essential #1: A Clean Heart..................................29Chapter 5-Essential #2: A Clear Mind...................................37Chapter 6-Essential #3: Using Your Gifts...............................45Chapter 7-Essential #4: A Healthy Body.................................55Chapter 8-Essential #5: Right Relationships............................65Chapter 9-Essential #6: A Balanced Schedule............................73Chapter 10-Essential #7: Taking God-approved Risks.....................83Chapter 11-The Ongoing Pursuit.........................................91Chapter 12-The Best is Yet to Come!....................................101

Chapter One

Read chapter 1 of How to Reach Your Full Potential for God

Scripture Passage: Joshua 1:1-9

THINK ABOUT TODAY

The dictionary defines potential as a "latent excellence or ability that may or may not be developed." According to that definition, where do you fit in? Have you identified and nurtured your abilities or left them undiscovered and dormant? Perhaps you struggle to believe there is any potential within you at all.

1. Take a few moments and, in twenty-five words or less (and without taking more than five minutes), describe what you believe is your God-given potential. ____________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________

2. In your opinion, what are three things required of someone who wants to reach his or her full potential?

1. _________________________________________________________ 2. _________________________________________________________ 3. _________________________________________________________

3. Consider your reasons for participating in this study and respond to the following questions:

What do you want to discover about God? _________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________

What do you want to learn about yourself? _________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________

How will you put into action your newly acquired knowledge? _________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________

THINK ABOUT GOD

"The truth is, many people are not pursuing their potential. They are not factoring God into their decision-making or into their goal setting. They cannot clearly and succinctly say what they believe to be God's foremost purpose and plan for their lives. They will stare at you blankly if you ask, "What do you believe to be God's will for you?" (p. 5).

1. While in the decision-making process, when do you typically consider asking God for help? __ long before it's time to make the decision

__ in the midst of making the decision

__ after the fact, if things didn't go as planned

__ never

2. Take some time to read and react to the four main truths mentioned in this chapter. As you reread them, consider how true they are based on your lifestyle. It's one thing to agree that something is true, but it is another to put that truth into action.

a. God has a plan and purpose for your life.

Do you believe this is a true statement? __ yes

__ no

Explain your response. _________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________

Mark the line below to indicate the degree to which you are actively and consistently engaged in living out God's purpose for your life.

Not at all ________________________________________ All the time

What prevents you from pursuing God's will?

__ I don't know what it is.

__ I'm afraid to follow through.

__ My life is too comfortable right now.

__ My relationship with God isn't strong enough.

__ Other: _____________________________________________________

b. God has already endowed you with the gifts and talents you need to complete the work that He has assigned, prepared, and provided for you to do.

Do you believe this is a true statement?

__ yes

__ no

Explain your response. ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________

How do you know what your gifts and talents are? ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________

When you put your abilities to work, are they for your benefit or for the Lord's? Explain your response. ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________

How does your relationship with God affect the way you employ the gifts and talents He gave you? ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________

c. Nobody on earth can be who you are, replace you, or fulfill God's plan for your life.

Do you believe this is a true statement? __ yes

__ no

Explain your response. ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________

If the Lord has a plan for your life, then you are instrumental to His purposes. What happens when you fail to accomplish God's will? ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________

Are you presently fulfilling your divine purpose, or is someone else covering your role? Explain your response. ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________

d. You must establish firm commitments in various areas of your life in order to pursue and begin to reach your God-given potential.

Identify your most significant obligations. Do any of these receive more time than your relationship with the Lord? ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________

What commitments does...