The Purpose Driven Life

Lesson 3

Principle #2:  You Were Formed for God’s Family

                The second purpose for our life is being part of God’s family.  God eternally exists in relationship through the Trinity and desires a personal relationship with us.  In fact, we relate to God as Father, Son and Spirit; the relationship between God and the church is illustrated by marriage, and when we accept Christ through faith we are adopted as sons and daughters into his family (John 1:12-13; Eph 1:5).  A purpose-driven life is part of God’s family.

1.  What does it mean to be part of God’s family?

                How does this impact how we treat other Christians (members of God’s family)?

2.  What insight do you gain from these verses:  John 13:35, 17:20-23; 1 Cor 13:13; 1 John 4:7-7-8, 16)

Is love your top priority?  What would it take for you to daily live Matthew 22:37-40?

3.  The church gives all of us a place to belong.  On pages 133-136, Rick Warren lists several other reasons why we need the church.  They include:

q       A church family identifies you as a genuine believer

q       A church family moves you out of self-centered isolation (we are part of a body)

q       A church family helps you develop spiritual muscles (Eph 4:16)

q       The Body of Christ (church) needs you (1 Cor 12:7)

q       You will share in Christ’s mission in the world (Eph 2:10)

q       A  church family will keep you from backsliding (James 5:19-20)

Are you part of the body or do you feel like you are on the outside looking in?

Are you an attender or a member of the church?  What’s the difference?

Do you need to make changes in your life for the body to be healthier by your participation?  What are those changes?

4.  At FCC we value the Biblical teaching of Community—living life together.  To live in community, “Smaller is better…For this reason, every Christian needs to be involved in a small group within their church…This is where real community takes place, not in the big gatherings.“ –pg 138-139.

                Are you connected to a small group?

Why do you think it is so important being connected to a smaller group of people within the church?

Will you seek to get connected?

New groups are forming continually.   FCC’s website (www.fccxenia.org) has more information about getting connected to a small group.  You may also contact Eric Camfield (Minister of Small Groups) at the church or email at ecamfield@fccxenia.org.

5.  As part of God’s family, we are also called to be peacemakers-Mt. 5:9.  We know from 2 Cor. 5:18 that we have been given a ministry of reconciliation.  This can be a challenge or down right difficult.  We know we must not avoid conflict, that we must seek God in prayer, that we must take initiative, we must sympathize with feelings, confess our own errors, we must not attack the person but the problem, we must seek to cooperate and ultimately seek reconciliation not resolution.  Simple right?  Sometimes, but it can also me very hard.

                Is there a relationship that needs reconciled in your life?

                How will you seek peace with this person(s)?  When will you do it?  Remember Eph 4:26.

6.  How important is the unity of the church family on a scale of 1-10 in your opinion?  Why?

                What does Jesus pray for all believers in John 17:20-23?

What is the context of this passage (what is going on in Jesus’ life)?  Why is this significant?

List things that should be done and things that should not be done in order to maintain unity in the church.

What can you do to maintain unity?  Do you need to make any changes?  Will you commit to 100% unity today?  How?