The Man in the Mirror – Ch 5, Purpose: Why Do I Exist? (2/9/2008)

The Man in the Mirror, Solving the 24 Problems Men Face: Chapter 5 – Purpose: Why Do I Exist?

The Big Idea:  We will feel most alive, most useful,and most significant when we are doing what God created us to do.

Philippians 2:13, Acts 17:26, Ephesians 2:10, 1 Peter 4:10-11

1. We will feel most alive, most useful, and most significant when we are doing what God created us to do. AGREE/DISAGREE. What makes you feel most alive, most useful, and most significant?

2. According to today’s texts, who shapes our personal life purpose and how? What is our part according to
1Peter4:10?

3. Is there a single sentence or thought that captures the essence of your personal life purpose? If so, please share it. What might be some of the benefits to you from completing the How to Develop a Written Life Purpose Statement exercise?

PURPOSE OUTLINE

I. Eternal Purpose

God’s eternal purpose for us is eternal life.

II. Earthly Purpose

God’s earthly purpose for us is to live as disciples of Jesus Christ.

A. Universal Earthly Purpose

There is a sense in which all men are alike, and God gives all men the same universal purposes. The Bible reveals four universal purposes or, if you prefer, one purpose with four parts—two which relate to relationships and two which relate to tasks:

1. The Great Commandment (Matthew 22:37): To love God

2. The Royal Commandment (John 13:34-35): To love one another

3. The Great Commission (Matthew 18:1-20): To build the kingdom

4. The Cultural Mandate (Genesis 1:28): To tend the culture

B. Personal Life Purpose

There is also a sense in which each of us is unique, and God gives each of us a different personal life purpose (Philippians 2:13, Acts 17:26, Ephesians 2:10, 1 Peter 4:10-11). Like a fingerprint, our life purpose is a one-of-a-kind set of marching orders that combines the four universal purposes to which God calls all men. That unique combination draws from our spiritual gifts, natural abilities, acquired competencies, assigned times and places, roles, deeds, service, love, and the Spirit—all of which issue from Jesus Christ.

Video Study:  Click here to see Patrick Morely teach this chapter (Running time 41 mins, 05 secs)

- Courtesy of www.ManInTheMirror.org, where audio versions and downloads of these studies are available too!

The Man in the Mirror – Ch 4, Significance:The Search for Meaning and Purpose (2/9/2008)

The Man in the Mirror, Solving the 24 Problems Men Face: Chapter 4 – The Search for Meaning and Purpose

The Big Idea:  A Man’s most innate need is his need to be significant – to find meaning and purpose.

Ecclesiastes 3:10-14; Acts 17:24-28; John 15:5, Ephesians 1:11-23

1.  How do you keep score? At the end of the day, how do you measure whether or not in has been a “significant” day?

2.  A man’s most innate need is his need to be significant—to find meaning and purpose. The difference in men is in how they go about satisfying their need to be significant. What is the biblical path to significance according to today’s verses (above)?

3.  Do you need to make any adjustments and, if so, what will you think and/or do differently?

Video Study:  Click here to see Patrick Morely teach this chapter (Running time 35 mins, 55 secs)

- Courtesy of www.ManInTheMirror.org, where audio versions and downloads of these studies are available too!