Chapter 1 --- IT ALL STARTS WITH GOD

The Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren

“For everything, absolutely everything, above and below, visible and invisible...everything get started in Him and finds its purpose in Him.” – Colossians 1:16 (Msg)

“Unless you assume a God, the question of life’s purpose is meaningless.” – Bertrand Russels, atheist

It’s not about you.

The purpose of your life is far greater than your own personal fulfillment, your peace of mind, or even your happiness.  It’s far greater than your family, your career, or even your wildest dreams and ambitions.  If you want to know why you were placed on the planet, you must begin with God.  You were born by His purpose and for Him purpose.

I have read many books that suggest ways to discover the purpose of my life.  All of them could be classified as “self-help” books because they approach the subject from a self-centered viewpoint.  Self-help books, even Christian ones, usually offer the same predictable steps to finding your life’s purpose:  Consider your dreams.  Clarify your values.  Set some goals.  Figure out what you are good at.  Aim high.  Go for it!  Be disciplined.  Believe you can achieve your goals.  Involve others.  Never give up.

Of course, these recommendations often lead to great success.  You can usually succeed in reaching a goal if you put your mind to it.  But being successful and fulfilling your life’s purpose are not at all the same issue!  You could reach all your personal goals, becoming a raving success by the world’s standards, and still miss the purposes for which God created you.  You need more than self-help advice.  The Bible says, “Self-help is no help at all.  Self-sacrifice is the way, my way, to finding yourself, your true self.”

This (The PDL book) is not a self-help book.  It is not about finding the right career, achieving your dreams, or planning your life.  It is not about how to cram more activities into an overloaded schedule.  Actually, it will teach you how to do less in life --- by focusing on what matters most.  It is about becoming what God created you to be.

Week 1 – Thinking About My Purpose

Point to Ponder:  It’s not about me.

Verse to Remember:  “Everything got started in Him and finds its purpose in Him.” – Colossians 1:16b (Msg)

Question to Consider:  In spite of all the advertising around me, how can I remind myself that life is really about living for God, not myself?

What on Earth Am I Here For?
Discussion Question

- What do you think are implications of the first sentence of the Purpose-Driven Life Book, “It’s not about you?”

WEEKLY SCRIPTURE READING GUIDE

Sunday, January 1, 2006
(Octave of Christmas)
Nm 6:22-27 - I will bless them
Ps 67 - May God bless us in His mercy.
Gal 4:4-7 - You are sons not slaves
Lk 2:16-21 - They gave Him the name Jesus

Monday, January 2, 2006
1 Jn 2:22-28 - Remain in Christ
Ps 98 - All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God.
Jn 1:19-28 - The testimony of John

Tuesday, January 3, 2006
Most Holy Name of Jesus
1 Jn 2:29-3:6 - We are Go'd Children
Ps 98 - All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God.
Jn 1:29-34 - God's chosen one

Wednesday, January 4, 2006
1 Jn 3:7-10 - Live a holy life
Ps 98 - All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God.
Jn 1:35-42 - Come and see

Thursday, January 5, 2006
1 Jn 3:11-21 - Love one another
Ps 100 - Let all the earth cry ot to God with joy.
Jn 1:43-51 - Philip and Nathanael

Friday, January 6, 2006
1Jn 5:5-13 - God's testimony
Ps 147 - Praise the Lord, Jerusalem.
Mk 1:7-11 - You are my Son
(or Lik 3:23-38 or 3:23, 31-34, 36, 38)

Saturday, January 7, 2006
1 Jn 5:14-21 - God hears us
Ps 149 - The Lord takes delight in Him people.
Jn 2:1-11 - Wedding at Cana

Special tnx to  nuova

source :  nuova's Blog