Built to Last

Main Thought

The foundations of a building are incredibly important. They may not be visible, but they determine the strength and height of the structures they support. Our spiritual lives need foundations too! A spiritual foundation can be thought of as the beliefs, actions, and character that help us build a relationship with God. We can establish spiritual foundations is through obedience to God’s Word. God knows best! If we consistently obey Him, then we’ll achieve the best outcome for our lives from an eternal perspective - and often from an earthly one too. A spiritual foundation is also formed through the continual testing of trials and tribulations. Enduring trials gives us the ability to persevere. This is very important because life is more like a marathon than a sprint. If we can establish spiritual foundations, then we’ll eventually be spared from destruction and set up for a life of purpose in God.

Main Passages

24 “Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. 26 And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. 27 And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it.”

- Matthew 7:24-27

3 Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, 4 and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, 5 and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.

- Romans 5:3-5

Discussion Questions

  1. What stands out to you in the Main Thought or Passage above?

  2. Do you feel that you have a strong spiritual foundation? Why or why not?

  3. What’s one way that you can obey God’s Word, or one trial that you need to persevere through? What do you think God is forming in you (or how is God teaching you) through this?