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January 4, 2026
What will you do with your fresh start?
What are you really living for?
What is most important?
MOST IMPORTANT
One of the teachers of the law came and heard them debating. Noticing that Jesus had given them a good answer, he asked him, “Of all the commandments, which is the most important?”
“The most important one,” answered Jesus, “is this: ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.”
“Well said, teacher,” the man replied. “You are right in saying that God is one and there is no other but him. To love him with all your heart, with all your understanding and with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself is more important than all burnt offerings and sacrifices.”
When Jesus saw that he had answered wisely, he said to him, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.” And from then on no one dared ask him any more questions.
Mark 12:28-34
Love GOD. Love OTHERS. Nothing MATTERS MORE.
The Shema: Listen, Hear, Pay Attention, Respond
Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts.
Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.
Deuteronomy 6:4-9
- Whatever has your FOCUS is FORMING you.
Step 1: Clarify Your FOCUS.
What one word would you use to describe 2025?
What one word do you hope will describe 2026?
Awakening’s Word for 2026: PURSUE
What does it look like for us as a church to passionately pursue the heart of God?
- You GROW to the level of your COMMITMENTS.
Step 2: Activate Daily FORMATION.
The Discipleship Pathway: COME to KNOW Jesus. -> GROW as a DISCIPLE of Jesus. -> SERVE in the NAME of Jesus. -> SHARE the LOVE of Jesus.
Let God have the FIRST WORD and the LAST WORD of your day.
Memory Verse: Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.”
Mark 12:29-31
Step 3: Pursue God with OTHERS.
Who are the people you need?
Who needs you?
