The Purpose Driven Life

Lesson 4

Principle #3:  You Were Created to Become Like Christ

                The third purpose of life is that we are created to become like Christ.  From Gen. 1:26 we know that we are created in God’s image to be like God or godly (Eph 4:24).  A follower of Christ is called a disciple.  Disciples discipline themselves to become like their teacher or master.  So then, how do we become like Christ?  What is the process?  What is your role as a follower or disciple?

1.  What does sanctification mean?  (use a dictionary if you need)

                Who’s job is it to transform our character to be more like Christ:  Holy Spirit  or  Yourself

                Why did you say this?

What is God’s role and your role found in these verses:  2 Pet 1:5-8; Eph 4:22-24; Php 2:13; Luke 13:24; 2 Tim 2:15; 1 Cor 3:7; John 16:13,14

2.  What does this quote mean to you:  “Spiritual growth is not automatic.  It takes an intentional commitment.  You must want to grow, decide to grow, make an effort to grow, and persist in growing.  Discipleship—the process of becoming like Christ—always begins with a decision.  Jesus calls us, and we respond: ‘Come, be my disciple,’ Jesus said to him.  So Matthew got up and followed him’” (Mt 9:9 NLT)  --The Purpose Driven Life, pg 179

                Have you even made a conscious decision to grow spiritually?  When and what

happened?

If you were going to make this decision right now, what would have to change in your life?

Christianity is not a religion or a philosophy, but a relationship and a lifestyle.  Pg 183

3.  D. L. Moody said, “The Bible was not given to us to increase our knowledge but to change our lives.”  Heb 4:12 says that God’s word is living and active.

                Read John 17:17.  What does this mean to you?

                What is one thing you need to put into practice in your life found in God’s word?

4.  God uses circumstances to develop our character.  He transforms us through troubles. 

                Why do you think this is?

                Share a time when God worked in you through a trial, trouble or tough circumstance.

                What was the result?

5.  We are also transformed into Christ-likeness by growing through temptations.  “God develops the fruit of the Spirit in your life by allowing you to experience circumstances in which you’re tempted to do the exact opposite!  Character development always involves a choice, and temptation provides that opportunity.” –pg 202

One thing you can count on is that you will be tempted.  Satan knows your weaknesses and will attack where you are vulnerable.  One question you must answer in order to be ready to fight against temptation with God’s power is this “When, where and how am I most vulnerable to temptation?”

6.  Since we know we will be tempted and that temptations are opportunities to grow, how do we defeat temptation?  Here are four keys:

q       Refocus your attention on something else (temptation starts in the mind) (Php 4:8)

q       Reveal your struggle to a godly friend or support group (James 5:16)

q       Resist the Devil (James 4:7)

q       Realize your vulnerability  (Jer 17:9; 1 Cor 10:12)

Which of these do you need to put into practice more?  What will you do about it?

7.  Realize that spiritual growth is a life-long journey and it takes time.  “There are no shortcuts to maturity (pg 217).”  Consider the analogy of the fruits of the Spirit (Gal 5:22-23).  Fruit takes time to ripen naturally and so does your character with God’s power and your effort.

                How do these verses encourage you?  Php 1:6; 2 Cor 3:18