rick warren, purpose driven life: section 40

Living with Purpose

Section 40Pages 312-319

Monday 22 November 2010

Prov 19:21 - Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the LORD’s purpose that prevails.

Acts 13:36 - “Now when David had served God’s purpose in his own generation...


Living on purpose is the only way to really live. Everything else is just existing


Most people struggle with 3 basic issues:

Identity: who am I?

Importance: do I matter?

Impact: what is my place in life?

All 3 have been answered in the purposes outlined in PDL - now you have to do them!

This might mean dropping some “good” things - but the essentials must be done - by developing a purpose statement for your life


What is a purpose Life Statement?


A statement that...

Summarises God’s purposes for your life - your commitment to God’s purpose for you

Points the direction of your life - where are you headed?

Defines success for you - what is /is not, important

Clarifies your roles - roles change at different stages of life, purpose remains the same

Expresses your shape - your uniqueness


5 Questions to consider as you write your statement

Life’s Five Greatest Questions


1. Who will be at the centre of my life?

Worship - who will you live for? What is your life built around?

There are many options - career, family, sport, hobby...

2 Chron. 14:4 - He [Asa] told Judah to center their lives in God, the God of their fathers, to do what the law said, and to follow the commandments.


1. Who will be at the centre of my life?

Worship - who will you live for? What is your life built around?

There are many options - career, family, sport, hobby...

2 Chron. 14:4 - He [Asa] told Judah to center their lives in God, the God of their fathers, to do what the law said, and to follow the commandments.

Worry is the warning light that God is not at the centre of your life:

Php 4:6-7 -Don't fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray...Before you know it, a sense of God's wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It's wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life


2. What will be the character of my life?

Discipleship - God is more interested in what you are than what you do. Character will go into eternity, not your career.

2 Peter 1:5 -...building on what you've been given, complementing your basic faith with good character, spiritual understanding, alert discipline, passionate patience, reverent wonder, warm friendliness, and generous love...


2. What will be the character of my life?

Discipleship - God is more interested in what you are than what you do. Character will go into eternity, not your career.

2 Peter 1:5 -...building on what you've been given, complementing your basic faith with good character, spiritual understanding, alert discipline, passionate patience, reverent wonder, warm friendliness, and generous love...

What character qualitiesare you working on

at the moment?Are you happy withthe sin in your life?


3. What will be the contribution of my life?

Service - ministry in the Body of Christ - knowing your SHAPE what role do you fulfill in the family of God?

2 Cor. 9:12 - This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of the Lord’s people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God.

Jn 15:16 - I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last


4. What will be the communication of my life?

Mission to unbelievers - your commitment to share the Good News, your life lessons, godly passions, maybe a target group of people to reach out to, being a good parent. Your life should validate the message you proclaim: Php 1:27 - Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ.


5. What will be the community of my life?

Fellowship - committed to other believers and the family of God, where will you practice the “one another” commands of the Bible?


Answer these points, use any scriptures that help you in defining your answer - then take time to craft your answer.

Develop a slogan which you can repeat to remind you of your life purpose.

Focus on fulfilling God’s eternal purpose for you and the rest [marriage, career, college] will fall into place.





“My life purpose is to be a member of Christ’s family, a model of his character, a minister of his grace, a messenger of his word, and a magnifier of his glory”

“...is to make a great commitment to the great commandment and the great commission”





“My life purpose is to be a member of Christ’s family, a model of his character, a minister of his grace, a messenger of his word, and a magnifier of his glory”

“...is to make a great commitment to the great commandment and the great commission”

“My goal is Christlikeness;

my family is the church;my ministry is__________;my mission

is__________;my motive is

the glory of God”


1 Thess 2:4 - On the contrary, we speak as those approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel. We are not trying to please people but God, who tests our hearts.

Remember your life is for God’s plan - don’t waste it trying to please other people. This is the generation that God wants you to serve him in. This is your time. Will you serve God now?




2 Chron 16:9 - For the eyes of the LORD range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him.

1 Cor 9:26 - I do not run like someone running aimlessly

Php 1:21 - for me to live is Christ, to die is gain




2 Chron 16:9 - For the eyes of the LORD range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him.

1 Cor 9:26 - I do not run like someone running aimlessly

Php 1:21 - for me to live is Christ, to die is gain

When it seems tough to fulfill all God has called you to make sure you don’t give in - your reward is eternal2Cor. 4:17 For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.

One day you will stand before Christ and praise him for his plan and live

for his purposes forever


Point to ponder

Living with purpose in the only way to really live


Verse to remember

Acts 13:36

David...served God’s purpose in his own generation...


Question to consider

When will I take the time to write down my answers to life’s five great questions? When will I put my purpose on paper?


rick warren, purpose driven life: section 40

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