The Purpose Driven Life

Lesson 2

Principle #1: You Were Planned for God’s Pleasure

1.  “Bringing enjoyment to God, living for his pleasure, is the first purpose of your life…Anything that brings pleasure to God is worship…Worship is far more than music…Worship is a lifestyle.”[1]  Romans 12:1 says, “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.”

Look at your life and your activities right now.   How can you worship God where you’re at and with what you’re doing?

2.  “Smile on me, your servant; teach me the right way to live.” (Msg)

                Have you ever thought that you make God smile?

                What do you think brings a smile to his face?

                What in your life makes God smile?

                How could you make God smile more?

3.  How would define the word “surrender”?  How does society view surrendering?

We are called to surrender ourselves to God.  In some ways this can be difficult as we struggle with our own limitations, trust and even negative view of the word surrender.  But God promises that a surrendered life yields many benefits.

 What benefits can you think of?  (consider Pr 3:5-6; John 14:272 Cor 3:17; Col 1:10-14 )

 Are you experiencing these benefits?  Why or why not?

4.  An old hymn says, “What a friend I have in Jesus…”  We also read Jesus calling us friends in

     John 15:15.

                How do you build strong friendships?

                How do these apply to your friendship with God?

                Is there anything you need to do differently in your relationship with God?  What?

“The truth is—you are as close to God as you choose to be.  Intimate friendship with God is a choice, not an accident.  You must intentionally seek it.  Do you really want it—more than anything?  What is it worth to you?  Is it worth giving up other things?  Is it worth the effort of developing the habits and skills required?[2]

5.   Love the Lord with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your   strength. -- Mark 12:30

                What does it mean to love the Lord with all your:

                                Heart —

                                Soul –

                                Mind –

                                Strength –

                How does this challenge you?

6.  In relationships and friendships, there are times when the other person seems distant or not there at all for you.  There may have been times, or you may be in a time, where God seems distant.  The book of Psalms contains many passages where David cries out to the Lord because he feels alone or that God is far from him.  These times will often stretch our faith.  One promise we must always remember is that although we don’t “feel” that God is there, he always is (Joshua 1:5).

                Make a list of what you know about God.  Focus on these during “distant times”