It matters how you finish.

A good start is crucial, but it's the end that matters. First Samuel is a book of good starts but bad finishes. Eli was a sterling religious leader, but by the end of his life, the ark of the covenant had been captured and his two rebellious sons killed. Samuel was a prophet of God who anointed kings, but his sons also turned away from the Lord. The most dramatic example is Saul. He seemed to be the perfect choice for Israel's first king. But success led to disobedience, and he slid from prominence to paranoia to suicide. These stories remind us that when it comes to our faith, we also need to finish well. As the apostle Paul wrote, we must "run in such a way as to get the prize" (1 Corinthians 9:24).

The Life Lessons with Max Lucado series brings the Bible to life in twelve lessons filled with intriguing questions, inspirational stories, and poignant reflections to take you deeper into God's Word. Each lesson includes an opening reflection, background information, an excerpt of the text (from the New International and New King James versions), exploration questions, inspirational thoughts from Max, and a closing takeaway for further reflection. The Life Lessons series is ideal for use in both a small-group setting and for individual study.