Message Title: Finding Your Purpose
Scripture: 2 Peter 1:19 NRSV
Bottom Line: God's vision is bigger than we can ever fathom. Each of us is puzzle piece of His big picture.
Other Scripture References:
The book of Habakkuk
The book of Zephaniah
The book of Micah
Small Group Check in:
How is it with your soul?
Prayer Request? Praises?
Ice Breaker:
What has been your favorite part of this small group so far?
What has surprised you about this small group?
Overview:
We don't always see what we think we see. Sometimes we focus on what we think is important, but we fail to see the bigger picture. For example, we often fail to notice the bigger picture when it comes to our relationship with others. This week Pastor Shannon talks about 3 ways to live into our purpose!
Peter writes and lets his readers know that they have a distinct call to live according to God's will. He reminds us that we are supposed to reflect God's divine nature: love - which Peter defines as - devotion to the well-being of others regardless of their response of worth. Peter's readers were so preoccupied with getting into heaven that they neglected to focus on what they were called to do: which was to get heaven into people.
Peter pointed to the prophets. We can learn a lot from the prophets in discerning God's will. First: Life won't be easy. Second: Expect the unexcepted. Life is about relationships.
Life won't be easy, but it can be fulfilling because of the hope we have in Jesus.
Micah summarizes his prophecy by saying God's requirements are active and they require us to be in relationships with one another and with God.
Discussion Questions:
What did Peter tell his readers to do?
What did Peter want his readers to understand?
Read 2 Peter 1:19. What is the prophetic word that Peter mentions here?
What does the lamp represent (Psalm 119:105, Proverbs 6:23)? What is this dark place (John 1:3-5, 3:19: Romans 13:12-13)
In the book of Habakkuk, Habakkuk struggles believing God is good when there is so much bad in the world? Have you ever struggled with this as well?
The book of Habakkuk ends in hopeful prayer: life may be hard, but there is always hope. Habakkuk even answers the question that he struggles with. As a group, discuss how the righteous live by faith even when things seem to be going wrong?
Life has ups and downs, and we won't always understand God's purpose in that moment and that's okay! God's vision for the future is bigger than we can even fathom. Are you struggling with anything right now that just makes you wonder why or what is the purpose of this? Share with your group and pray together for peace and comfort knowing God has a purpose for you. You may not see it, but it is there.
We seek to be received into heaven. We want to experience the glorification that comes with eternity with God and be made perfect in love. Our desire is so strong that we want to share this good news with others, but we often twist the notion thinking our mission is to get people to heaven and we forget that our mission is to get heaven to people. How can your small group bring Heaven to people by using your relationships with one another, with the people you work with and who you live in community with?
Challenge:
If we truly believe that life is better with Jesus, then we should radiate joy, peace, and righteousness often!
Romans 14:17 says, "For the Kingdom of God is not food and drink, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.
LET THE WORLD SEE YOU RADIATE JOY IN YOUR LIFE!