LIFE PURPOSE

“The man without a purpose is like a ship without a rudder – a waif, a nothing, a no man. Have a purpose in life, and, having it, throw such strength of mind and muscle into your work as God has given you.”-Thomas Carlyle- (1795-1881)

Tchaikovsky put a sign on his gate: Visiting hours Monday & Tuesday between 3 & 5 P.M. Other times, please do not ring. He was saying, “I’m a composer. This is how I’m going to bless the world — not by idle conversation.” Tchaikovsky knew his purpose and lived his life to the fullest according to that purpose.
The life you have been given is a gift from God. You are a steward of every minute contained in that gift.
In Ephesians 3, we see that Paul clearly knows his purpose and the power behind it. Of course, Paul’s ultimate purpose is to know, love, and obey God – the same ultimate purpose we all share. But his specific purpose is to preach the gospel. (Read Ephesians 3:1-8)

3 Biblical Insights Concerning Your Life Purpose:
1.) Your purpose is designed by God, to glorify God.
2.) Your purpose will fit perfectly with the gifts and graces God has given you.
3.) Your purpose will be realized through God’s power, not your own.

My Time With God
Note: The discovery of your life purpose is more than a one-hour process. But by investing one hour, you can be well on your way to one of the most important discoveries you will ever make.

Preparation Time
List the following areas to begin to “frame up” your purpose:

1.) What are your spiritual gifts?

2.) What is your passion?

3.) What are you good at?

4.) What ministry has God used you in?

5.) If you could do one thing with your life, where you couldn’t fail and money didn’t matter…what would it be?

Waiting Time
(Again, the waiting time could be weeks or months to fully know God’s mind and heart on this, but start here!)

During your waiting time, let God…

Love You.
“God, I know You have created me on purpose, with a purpose.”

Search You.
“God, I give You permission to reveal anything that I may be doing or not doing that might block your purpose for me.”

Show You.
“God, show me Your plan for my life.”

Confession Time
“God, I confess that I have wasted my time & talent in the following ways”:

Bible Time
We can never pray out of God’s will when we pray God’s Word.

…Read Acts 20:24; John 17:1-4; Psalm 139:1-6.
…Close your eyes & allow a main truth to surface in your heart.
…Pray the Scripture and allow God to minister to you.

Meditation Time
After praying the Scriptures, write down the thoughts that God has impressed upon your mind…

Intercession Time – Praying for Others
Begin this time with a prayer of blessing & thanksgiving for the people for whom you will now intercede. Pray today specifically for people you know who don’t know their purpose, and for God to bring you people who can help you discover yours.
Name Request

Petition Time – Praying for Yourself

How To Petition God Properly
Talk to Him about the “little things”
Be Honest with God
Pray “Thy Will Be Done”
Prayer Requests

Application Time
The smallest obedient act is better than the greatest intention.

Q: What is the main thing God has impressed on me today?

Q: What am I going to do about it?

Steps to Take in My Obedience to God this Week:

My Goal: To Implement the Above Steps in the Next 7 Days.

Faith Time
Faith is our positive response to what God has said. Spend a few moments praying through your eyes of faith. Tell God the positive things you see happening because of His goodness!

Praise & Thanksgiving Time

Praise God by recognizing WHO HE IS!
Thank God by recognizing WHAT HE HAS DONE!

This Week’s Memory Verse – Philippians 1:6

This Week’s Time Alone With God

Monday – This Lesson

Tuesday – Meditate on Psalm 139:1-6

Wednesday – Write the first draft of your life purpose statement.
Share it with a close friend.

Thursday – Meditate on John 17:1-4

Friday – Review your memory verse.