Purpose Driven Life Day 1-9
This is the summary of our first HG meeting on PDL. This summary was written by James Lee.
Home Group Meeting – 14 September 2005
You were planned for God’s pleasure!!
Opening
1. Brief introductions for newcomers.
2. Your Pledge - pick someone who you can follow the book together. This is your PDL partner. You should encourage each other, make sure you and they keep you up to date, ask questions etc…
Proposed partners are:
Jean and Thomas
Mindy and Kei / Hidemi
Atsuo and Tomoko
Dan and Sylvia
Alan and Jose
James and Ninih
Days 1 to 7: What on earth am I here for?
3. Go over main points from last week
Last week we went through the first 7 days of PDL. In it we learnt about the “meaninglessness” of having earthly goals and that true purpose could only come from our Creator (God). This is because only the Creator truly knows what His creation (us) was made for. The PDL states that after we have Repented and Accepted Christ as Lord and Saviour our purpose is to bring GLORY to GOD.
In the PDL, 5 ways in which we bring glory to God are discussed. We bring glory to God by:
1. Worshipping Him;
2. Loving other Believers;
3. Becoming like Christ;
4. Serving others with our gifts; and
5. Telling others about Him.
This week and next week, we shall discuss the first way we can bring glory to God: Worship.
Day 8: Planned for God’s pleasure
4. When you hear the word “worship”, what is the first thing that comes to mind?
Read Romans Chapter 12:1-2
“Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God – this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – his good, pleasing and perfect will”. Romans 12:1-2.
For some of us, Worship reminds of singing gospel songs, attending and praying at church. In a general sense, it also makes us think of pagan things. For example, while I was backpacking in India, I witnessed a religious animal sacrifices. Such a ceremony could also be described as “worship” in a broader secular sense.
5. What does this mean: “offer your bodies as a sacrifice”? What would our lives look like if we truly lived in this way?
When we are urged to “offer our bodies as a sacrifice”, this means that we are to completely dedicate our lives and everything we do to God. Worship therefore goes beyond just attending church on Sundays, singing gospel songs and praying.
6. When we completely dedicate our lives to God, what does this mean?
Read Corinthians Chapter 10:31
When we completely dedicate our lives to God, this means that we live our lives as if we are living it for God.
God has created all of us and given each one of us gifts (both spiritual ones and non-spiritual ones). We should live our lives in appreciation of the things that God has given us and use our abilities for God. This could be by participating in the church’s operations such as in finance, mission, rice project, hosting a home group, and so forth. Even in our daily work lives we can live for God, such as introducing our colleagues to Jesus and spreading God’s word by being a light in the secular workplace.
Eric Liddell was a missionary as well as an Olympic gold medallist (see movie, “Chariots of Fire”). While he was training for the Olympics the intense training took him away from his missionary work preparations. However, even with the worldly goal of seeking an Olympic gold medal and all the fame that comes with it, he dedicated this goal to God. When he ran, he ran for God. And when he ran, he tried to use his success to spread God’s word even more effectively because of his fame. For example, after each race, he would give an evangelistic talk to the spectators who came to watch the races. Eventually, he went on to win an Olympic gold medal, and shortly thereafter, he went on to work as a missionary in China.
In the area of work/career, I believe God put us in our current jobs (and is continuing to put us in new jobs) for a purpose, His purpose. I also believe that when we dedicate our lives to God, our career aspirations should be consistent with His will, just as in the case of Eric Liddell.
7. What can I start doing in my life now as if I were doing it directly for Jesus?
The personal goals of some group members was briefly discussed.
Day 9 – What makes God smile?
8. Trusting is an act of worship. The PDL gives the example of Noah and how he trusted God.
Describe the story of Noah’s trust in God.
Noah built a boat in the middle of the desert when he had never even seen the sea. He had never even seen rain, but for 120 years he was the object of ridicule because of this. Despite this, Noah trusted in God’s will completely.
9. “Give it all to God: your past regrets, your present problems, your future ambitions, your fears, dreams, weaknesses, habits, hurts, and hang-ups. Put Jesus Christ in the driver’s seat of your life and take your hands off the steering wheel. Don’t be afraid; nothing under His control can ever be out of control.” Page 83
What does it mean to trust in God?
Read Romans 8:28
Read Proverbs 16:9
“And we know in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose”. Romans 8:28
“In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps”. Proverbs 16:9
Trusting in God is having faith that God knows the best for our lives.
To worship God, to offer our bodies as a living sacrifice, to dedicate our lives completely to God, in order to do these things, we must trust in God. To put it another way, if we don’t trust that God will work for our good (Romans 8:28) then how could we possibly dedicate our lives to God?
Like Noah, even when our direction in life sometimes seems difficult to comprehend we need to trust that God is working for our good.
10. Since God knows what is best, in what areas of my life do I need to trust him most?
The personal experiences and reflections of some group members were briefly discussed.
Prayer time
In addition to personal prayer points, think of today’s lesson and pray about the areas of our lives we could dedicate to God.
Home Group Meeting – 14 September 2005
You were planned for God’s pleasure!!
Opening
1. Brief introductions for newcomers.
2. Your Pledge - pick someone who you can follow the book together. This is your PDL partner. You should encourage each other, make sure you and they keep you up to date, ask questions etc…
Proposed partners are:
Jean and Thomas
Mindy and Kei / Hidemi
Atsuo and Tomoko
Dan and Sylvia
Alan and Jose
James and Ninih
Days 1 to 7: What on earth am I here for?
3. Go over main points from last week
Last week we went through the first 7 days of PDL. In it we learnt about the “meaninglessness” of having earthly goals and that true purpose could only come from our Creator (God). This is because only the Creator truly knows what His creation (us) was made for. The PDL states that after we have Repented and Accepted Christ as Lord and Saviour our purpose is to bring GLORY to GOD.
In the PDL, 5 ways in which we bring glory to God are discussed. We bring glory to God by:
1. Worshipping Him;
2. Loving other Believers;
3. Becoming like Christ;
4. Serving others with our gifts; and
5. Telling others about Him.
This week and next week, we shall discuss the first way we can bring glory to God: Worship.
Day 8: Planned for God’s pleasure
4. When you hear the word “worship”, what is the first thing that comes to mind?
Read Romans Chapter 12:1-2
“Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God – this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – his good, pleasing and perfect will”. Romans 12:1-2.
For some of us, Worship reminds of singing gospel songs, attending and praying at church. In a general sense, it also makes us think of pagan things. For example, while I was backpacking in India, I witnessed a religious animal sacrifices. Such a ceremony could also be described as “worship” in a broader secular sense.
5. What does this mean: “offer your bodies as a sacrifice”? What would our lives look like if we truly lived in this way?
When we are urged to “offer our bodies as a sacrifice”, this means that we are to completely dedicate our lives and everything we do to God. Worship therefore goes beyond just attending church on Sundays, singing gospel songs and praying.
6. When we completely dedicate our lives to God, what does this mean?
Read Corinthians Chapter 10:31
When we completely dedicate our lives to God, this means that we live our lives as if we are living it for God.
God has created all of us and given each one of us gifts (both spiritual ones and non-spiritual ones). We should live our lives in appreciation of the things that God has given us and use our abilities for God. This could be by participating in the church’s operations such as in finance, mission, rice project, hosting a home group, and so forth. Even in our daily work lives we can live for God, such as introducing our colleagues to Jesus and spreading God’s word by being a light in the secular workplace.
Eric Liddell was a missionary as well as an Olympic gold medallist (see movie, “Chariots of Fire”). While he was training for the Olympics the intense training took him away from his missionary work preparations. However, even with the worldly goal of seeking an Olympic gold medal and all the fame that comes with it, he dedicated this goal to God. When he ran, he ran for God. And when he ran, he tried to use his success to spread God’s word even more effectively because of his fame. For example, after each race, he would give an evangelistic talk to the spectators who came to watch the races. Eventually, he went on to win an Olympic gold medal, and shortly thereafter, he went on to work as a missionary in China.
In the area of work/career, I believe God put us in our current jobs (and is continuing to put us in new jobs) for a purpose, His purpose. I also believe that when we dedicate our lives to God, our career aspirations should be consistent with His will, just as in the case of Eric Liddell.
7. What can I start doing in my life now as if I were doing it directly for Jesus?
The personal goals of some group members was briefly discussed.
Day 9 – What makes God smile?
8. Trusting is an act of worship. The PDL gives the example of Noah and how he trusted God.
Describe the story of Noah’s trust in God.
Noah built a boat in the middle of the desert when he had never even seen the sea. He had never even seen rain, but for 120 years he was the object of ridicule because of this. Despite this, Noah trusted in God’s will completely.
9. “Give it all to God: your past regrets, your present problems, your future ambitions, your fears, dreams, weaknesses, habits, hurts, and hang-ups. Put Jesus Christ in the driver’s seat of your life and take your hands off the steering wheel. Don’t be afraid; nothing under His control can ever be out of control.” Page 83
What does it mean to trust in God?
Read Romans 8:28
Read Proverbs 16:9
“And we know in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose”. Romans 8:28
“In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps”. Proverbs 16:9
Trusting in God is having faith that God knows the best for our lives.
To worship God, to offer our bodies as a living sacrifice, to dedicate our lives completely to God, in order to do these things, we must trust in God. To put it another way, if we don’t trust that God will work for our good (Romans 8:28) then how could we possibly dedicate our lives to God?
Like Noah, even when our direction in life sometimes seems difficult to comprehend we need to trust that God is working for our good.
10. Since God knows what is best, in what areas of my life do I need to trust him most?
The personal experiences and reflections of some group members were briefly discussed.
Prayer time
In addition to personal prayer points, think of today’s lesson and pray about the areas of our lives we could dedicate to God.
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