Walking in God's Purpose

Scripture Reading: Romans 12:6-18.

Memory Verse: "I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that you walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called..." (Ephesians 4:1).

INTRODUCTION: Through prayer and Bible study you can discern God's will for your life and set your goals in accordance with His plan. God will reveal His will to you if you ask Him. The prophet Amos wrote, "He who forms the mountains, creates the wind, and reveals His thoughts to man" (Amos 4:13). Daniel echoes Amos' thoughts, "He reveals deep and hidden things; He knows what lies in darkness, and light dwells with Him" (Daniel 2:22). The better you know God's Word the easier it is to recognize whether your goals model His intentions. Make God's goals your own.
  Circumstances and opportunities often lead the way for God to bring about His plan. In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps (Prov. 16:9). Through trial and error, prayer and Bible study, you can realize your natural God-given talents and abilities, strengthen your weaknesses, and learn to recognize God-given opportunities. Your ultimate goal is to have a strong and trusting relationship with God so that His will becomes yours and His goals become yours.
  God will never ask you to do something contrary to His Word. Don't allow Satan to fool you. If you have any questions in your mind, there are probably good reasons for them. Look up the subject in a concordance. Read the Bible verses relating to your question. Consult your pastor or a trusted Christian friend, and pray continually for guidance.
  God uses the gifts He has given you. Determine what your spiritual gifts are, then look for areas where you can develop and share them with others. The key is to use your gifted areas as guidelines for your ministry-but never as limitations.
  God has a way of placing you where He wants you. When you have to force your way to be where you want to do what you want, chances are good that it may not be God's will. It may not be the right time-in your career or family life-to accomplish your goals. But God's goals will include the circumstances that make the timing perfect.

LESSON QUESTIONS:

1. How long has God's plan for our lives been in existence? Ephesians 1:4; 1 Corinthians 2:7.

2. What is God's main purpose for our lives? Ephesians 1:11,12; Isaiah 40:3,5; Habakkuk 2:14.

3. What does God's glorious plan hinge on? Ephesians 3:10-13; Isaiah 60:1,2; 58:8.

4. When Adam sinned, what happened to the world? Romans 3:23; 1:21-23.

5. What hope shines into the darkness created by sin? 2 Corinthians 4:4,6; Romans 8:17-18; 2 Corinthians 4:17; 3:10-11,18; Colossians 1:27; 2 Thessalonians 2:14.

6. Through what person did God choose to reveal His glory? Hebrews 1:3; John 1:14,18; 2 Corinthians 4:6.

7. Through what other means does God reveal His glory? Ephesians 3:10,11; 5:25-27.

8. Why are God's people described as a city? Revelation 21:10,11; Hebrews 11:10,16; 12:22-23; 13:14.

9. What two Old Testament men desired to experience God's glory? Exodus 33:18; Psalm 17:15; 27:4.

10. How did the work on the Cross forever change the way God's glory interacts with people? 2 Corinthians 3:7,8,18; Romans 8:1-11.

11. Discuss Ephesians 3:20,21.
Note: As we walk closely with the Lord, two things happen--we reflect the glory of God like a mirror and we are transformed into His glorious likeness. This is the purpose of God for our lives. As we walk in His purpose, the glory of God is revealed through us to the world.