Good Morning!
Let’s focus our day by spending some time with Jesus before it begins.
If you’re new to the Focus, take as long as you’d like or are able in each segment.
Further Focus is an optional, additional practice to help you go further with Jesus.

WORSHIP FOCUS | 5-15 Minutes
Worship can be as simple as thanking God for who He is & what He does. (Psalm 100:4)
1. Start by journaling or saying out loud 3-5 things you’re thankful for in the last 24 hours.
2. Play or sing some worship music you love, or choose from one of our Spotify Playlists.
Further Focus: Declare what God’s Word says is true about who you are in Christ back to Him.

SCRIPTURE FOCUS | 5-15 Minutes
Pray a simple prayer before reading, asking the Holy Spirit to guide you into all truth. (John 14:26)
Today’s reading is from Judges 17
*Focusing as a Family? Find Paradox on the Parent Cue App
Highlight verses that capture your attention, and ask three simple questions as you read…
S = Say. What is the main point? What does it teach about God (Jesus) & yourself?
O = Obey. What can you apply (practice) from this passage today?
S = Share. Who can you share what you’re learning with today?
Further Focus: One of the best ways to learn more about the Bible is by discussing it with others.
Work through this week’s Lifegroup Discussion Guide and meet up with a Paradox Lifegroup.

A THOUGHT FROM TODAY’S READING…
Sometimes unfamiliar (and seemingly irrelevant) stories become all too familiar when we pick it up and put it in today’s context. Imagine a child (in this case, Micah) does the wrong thing. He overhears his mom “cursing the money” (I imagine she’s passionately saying something out loud about what she hopes happens to the person that has her money), gets afraid, and wants to avoid the consequences… so he gives the money back. Instead of facing consequences or discipline, however, Micah is rewarded for doing the “right thing.” Something doesn’t seem right here… but this might be more of a snapshot of life today than most of us care to admit. Doing what seems right to us in the moment is the calling card of our time. Consequences can’t be avoided. Whether in raising kids or in life, a lack of leadership has consequences. Micah avoided one set of consequences - but in avoiding discipline his (well-meaning?) mother actually caused him to avoid God… and the consequences for that were far worse. Micah’s mom did’t lead and, in the process, made a little idol for her son to worship instead of pointing him to the one true God. The idols handed to the next generation have a way of growing if left to hang around the house. Micah’s mom made him an idol… Micah made his son the priest of his new religion. So, time to take inventory of your house. What “little idols” are you keeping around in your life? Where might you, or someone you know and love, need to be challenged, or even experience consequences we may be afraid to give? Let’s be honest, sometimes we shy away from challenge in the lives of the people we lead because the relationship does something for us too. Who in your life doesn’t just say “whatever seems right to you seems right to me too?” Thank God for the people who remind you of what is right in the eyes of the Lord… and if you don’t have someone like that, make today the day you invite them into every room of the house that is your life. - Dave Kubiak

PRAYER FOCUS | 5-15 Minutes
Prayer is a conversation that involves both talking and listening to God.
Ask God to be what you need Him to be for you today. One simple way is to pick one of God’s Names to pray.
Further Focus: It’s often helpful to look back before moving forward. As you begin a new week, look back over the last one and ask God to meet you in this new one. This kind of reflective prayer is called an Examen.

SHARE THE FOCUS | 1-5 Minutes
Text someone a prayer/encouragement, or share a thought/question with us in the Forum.
Further Focus: Invite someone to read the Focus with you. Text “FOCUS” to (586) 200-6277.

That’s all for today.
Stay focused on Jesus, and make it a great one!