The Purpose Driven Life

[PollyAnna]

I know probably alot of you have read this book already but a friend of mine gave this book to me and I am beginning it today.

I'm wondering if anyone would want to read it together chapter by chapter and have a discussion about it here? Even if you've already read it, maybe you'd read it again and participate?

 

[Ir0nClad]

Sure, I will.

What chapter are you on now? I'll play catchup

 

[PollyAnna]

I'm reading chapter 1 today. It says to read 1 chapter a day so we should have plenty of time to discuss each one.

 

[kanga22]

I'm on chap. 35 right now, but I will start over again for the sake of discussion. Cool.

 

[PollyAnna]

This is going to be fun!

 

[PollyAnna]

Chapter 1: It All Starts With God
What a great book! I love this paragraph in the introduction:

“Real spiritual growth is never an isolated, individualistic pursuit. Maturity is produced through relationships and community.”

That's why I like CF so much, b/c it allows all of us to fellowship together and grow.

The rest of the things that stood out to me are:

The purpose of my life is far greater than my own personal fulfillment, peace of mind, or even happiness. It begins with God!

Focusing on myself will never reveal life’s purpose.



Life is about letting God use me for his purposes, not me using him for my own purposes.



Being successful and fulfilling my life’s purpose are not at all the same issue!



3 Self-help is no help at all. Self-sacrifice is the way, my way, to finding yourself, your true self. – Matt. 16:25 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.



· God is not just the starting point of my life, he is the source of it.

· I can choose my career, my spouse, my hobbies, and many other parts of my life, but I don’t get to choose my purpose.



WITHOUT GOD, LIFE MAKES NO SENSE

Day 1: Thinking about my purpose

Point to Ponder: It’s not about me.



Verse to remember: Colossians 1:16b(msg): Everything got started in him and finds its purpose in him.

[bible]colossians 1:16[/bible]

Question to consider: In spite of all the advertising around me, how can I remind myself that life is really about living for God, not myself?



My Answer: By sacrificing something daily. Keeping my flesh in check and not letting it rule. (I.E. smoking, I have to remind myself every day that I quit for a purpose and that God works all out for my good.)

 

[Ir0nClad]

I also agree. I don't think spiritual growth can occur without some stress or growing pain so to speak.

I don't know if getting into a deep discussion on the first day is good or not, so I'll save it for the next few days.

The point to ponder, it's not about us... makes me wonder why we do the things we do tradition wise. For instance go to church to praise Him, yet that brings glory to us (performers) and such.

I know most of them believe that they are really doing it for God, but I look at it with a different perspective.

I hope I get to elaborate more as we continue, but I don't wanna just dive in and spill all the beans on night 1.

As far as how I can remind myself that it's about God and not me...

HMMMM *thinks*

I think of the early stages of a relationship. Where you are head over heels in love (or so we think, but you know the feeling hopefully) and you would do anything for them... for anyone really because of your mood. That's how I can remind myself that its for God and not about me. genuinely caring for soemone else

 

[kanga22]

The verse to memorize sums it up nicely: Everything got started in him and finds its purpose in him Colossians 1:16

other points I really liked about the chapter:

1. Focusing on ourselves will never reveal our life's purpose.
(so all those "know the inner you" self-help books I've been reading all these years were a waste of $

2. Being successful and fulfilling your life's purpose are not at all the same issue.
(Yes!, the world's definition of success and God's are completely different. I always knew that but this book really helps me understand what that means.)

3. Your were made by God and for God and until you understand that, life will never make sense.
(That is so so true. Life did not make sense before I knew Christ. My life felt worthless and hopeless w/o God.)

4. It's not about me. (That really puts my little problems, worries, opinions and situations into perspective! And, of course, I know there is a broader plan that I am just one little tiny part of - but, it helps me to be reminded once in a while.)

5. Ques. at the end of Chapter 1: In spite of all the advertising around me, how can I remind myself that life is really about living for God, not myself?
Answer for me: Keep my eyes on heaven. This scripture comes to mind:
In all your ways, acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths. Proverbs 3:6

 

[PollyAnna]

See, I see "performers" at church and other functions as a glorification to God b/c it shows the wonderful Gifts God gives us and it can really be used to bless alot of ppl. But I agree that there are probably some who are doing it for their own glorification.

I love that song "It's all about YOU, Jesus. It's not about ME." We sing that alot at church and it always brings me to tears.

Kanga, I have that verse on a plaque hanging outside my front door. Love that verse!

I haven't read the second chapter yet but I will today (been a rough week, sorry). Feel free to start a discussion if you've read it already. I'll join in after I read it.

 

[tndrwarrior]

Yes, PollyAnna I must say when I first heard the song Heart of Worship sung by Sonic Flood when they came to my school I was overwhelmed. Other than that here is some stuff that I thought was important.

You didn't create yourself, so there is no way you can tell yourself what you were created for! (God has the blueprints, not us, and knows how we can reach the ultimate goal!)

The easiest way to discover the purpose of an invention is to ask the creator of it. The same is true for discovering your life's purpose: Ask God. (What a seemingly easy thing to do! Why is it so difficult, because I have to humble myself, and pride is my greatest weakness.)

Oh and the part about walking into God's light, reminds me a lot of the song "In the Light" by DC Talk.

In terms of reminding myself, I find it helpful to recognize the spiritual gifts God has given me and use them to further His Kingdom. Another good indicator as to whether I am living for God is what type of fruit I bear. Is it self-serving? Or is it for the glory of God?

P.S. The updates to the forums really make it run a lot more smoothly!

 

[PollyAnna]

Sorry about the delay getting back to this. The devil is working me over trying to make it so I can't get to reading this book.

*************************************​

You are alive because God wanted to create you!

Because God made you for a reason, he also decided when you would be born and how long you would live. He planned the days of your life in advance, choosing the exact time of your birth and death.

Do you believe that regardless of your lifestyle, you will die when God planned? Or do you believe that your lifestyle can alter God's plan and change the day you die?

I believe the first one. I believe that you can exercise all you want and eat all the "right" foods and still die when you're 40 of a heart attack if that's when you were supposed to die. I also believe that you can drink and smoke and eat all the fatty foods you want and live to be 80 if that is when
God deems you should die.

Nothing in your life is arbitrary. It is all for a purpose.

It doesn't matter whether your parents were good, bad, or indifferent. God knew that those two individuals possess exactly the right genetic makeup to create the custome "you" he had in mind.

Absolutely! I truly believe that we should never be sorry for the events in our life because they make us who we are. It's taken a long time for me to forgive my parents for their indifference but I'm getting to that point and it feels wonderful to know that when they let me down that God is always there for me.

God is love. Love is the essence of God's character.

If we do nothing else but love someone we can't go wrong. I believe that we are called to love everyone, whether or not we agree with their life choices. Even loving them through their sin. We're all in sin at some point in our life and we all need love regardless of that sin. God loves us through our sin and I believe we are called to do the same.

[bible]isaiah 46:3-4[/bible]

I loved the poem and will be printing and framing it to hang in the house somewhere. What a great reminder that we are made uniquely for God's purpose!

You're just what he wanted to make.

Thinking about my purpose:

I love that I am not an accident!

Verse to remember: [bible]Isaiah 44:2[/bible]

Questions to Consider: I know that God uniquely created me. What areas of my personality, background, and physical appearance am I struggling to accept?

My Answer: Personality - stubbornness; background - rejection; physical appearance - weight

 

[Joy]

Pollyanna

Just to hi and say i want to do this study also. will read chapter and post later.

God bless

 

[PollyAnna]

Welcome aboard! It's great that these chapters are so short, makes it easy to catch up.

 

[kanga22]

I'm actually on Chap. 37 right now but am starting over now that I have discussion buddies.

But, I have to say that chapter 2 has been on my mind more than any other chapter so far. It has changed how I look at each day. Until I read this chapter I did not know that the day of my death was predetermined by God! Finding that out was like a weight off my shoulders. It made me realize that even if today is the day I'm meant to go to heaven, I don't have to worry about what would happen to my children because GOD IS IN CONTROL. I can take care of them now and lead them to a life of seeking God, but that's all I can do whether I like it or not.

The other life changing point in this chapter was the main theme: You are not an accident. It sure was great to see that in black and white because my parents thought I WAS an accident. They had only planned to have two children, but surprise, I was number three. My mom has spent her life trying to convince herself and me that she wasn't burdened by the addition of me to the family. And it took me a long time to get over that too, but now I know for sure that I was always planned by God.

Who knows, maybe w/o that extra emotional burden in my life, I wouldn't have sought and found Jesus when I was a depressed, suicidal, alcoholic teenager.

What part of my personality do I struggle to accept?
Answer: That I don't always have the self-control to act w/ patience and kindness, but instead I let my emotions dictate my words and actions.

The joy of the Lord is my strength.

 

[PollyAnna]

I found it interesting that this chapter was about how we are not accidents b/c Sunday our pastor spoke on how unconventionally God works and he doesn't do things the way we would (ie, allowing our life experiences to mold us into the person God intended us to be). And how God uses ppl and situations to chisel away at our personalities. Nothing is an accident with God although at times I believe God allows things to appear to be accidents.

[bible]isaiah 55:6-8[/bible]

 

[Joy]

I also read this book earlier this year BUT it is better reading it to share with others.

YOUARE NO ACCIDENT

I was adopted being born as a result of a one night stand, i also have cerebral palsy. Praise God I live on my own with minor support from carers. When i was a young christian i was prayed for for healing and my illegimate birth was given as a reason for my physical disability and such tteaching has dominated my subconscious for years. Last year my thinking was questioned by a special Christian friend and I was challenged to start accepting that God created me for a purpose and as this chapter confirms, regardless of all the adverse cirmsumstances etc God had a plan in creating me. I was no accident because 'God never does anything accidently and He never makes mistakes, He has a reason for everything He creates.'
It's great reading this book again, I'll close for now but will add more tomorrow.

Karen

 

[PollyAnna]

Does anyone else want to add comments for this chapter before we move on to chapter 3? Or are we ready for chapter 3?

 

[Joy]

Does anyone else want to add comments for this chapter before we move on to chapter 3? Or are we ready for chapter 3?

One last Comment, I am overwhelmed by the comme nt, 'God made you so he could love you.
I'm r eady to move on to chapter 3


Karen

 

[Ir0nClad]

Sorry, been busy for a while.

Gonna read 2 tomorrow and then guess go to 3 since we really havn't been going day by day.

 

[Ir0nClad]

Just finished chapter 2.

About the question to ponder...

I'm at a very good point in my life, coming from a super low a few years ago, I would have to say this is the best its been for me ever. Having said that, I gotta be honest...

I can't STAND it when people share their faith by words. I know this sounds odd, but I'll try and explain...

Basically it boils down to 'talk is cheap' and that is how I feel, especially about someones faith in God. For example, my mom, who does believe in God and sets a good example for me, participated in several home devotional type things with their church (mom and dad), and they would share about how God has blessed them with our house and how they want to use it for His glory.. yadda yadda yadda...

I KNOW that it's fine, and I have no idea WHY that bothers me, but it does. After reading these chapters, I want to come in here and say how much God as done for me, but I feel that other people, especially non-believers (although I doubt any come here to the deeper fellowship section), would feel the same way I do and be turned off to God by it.

Maybe that's being stubborn and not what God wants me to do, and I'm willing to change, but I also think it's my personality. If I hurt someone really bad, not necessarily physically, and they came back to me the next day and said, look, dont worry about it, and basically forgave me without a bunch of words, but carried on as nothing was wrong... that would be HUGE points in stead of preaching to the choir.

Likewise I feel we can have key impacts on someone by turning the other cheek in action rather than saying how much God has blessed me when most of the time people really feel the opposite and just want to get revenge on someone.

Which brings me to my final ramblings about chapter 2. I'm not going to get into the story about how I came to read this book the first time, but I'm reading it again because I want to discuss the chapters without all of the 'baggage,' for the lack of a better word, that comes along with an actual sit down group and a bunch of 'holier than thou, God has blessed me so much' attitude. I know some of it is for real, just doesn't come off that way. I guess the anonymous nature of the internet is what draws me to discuessions that I wouldnt find appealing at a face to face meeting or group. It seems that more people show their true feelings or real emotions online because they don't have a reputation to uphold...

OK, chapter 3....