Philippians 1:21-30 (NASB)
To Be or Not to Be This week we’re learning about purpose. We’re learning about what exactly God says our purpose in life is. And we’re learning how our purpose shapes our community, just as our community helps us explore our purpose.
Share Your Story • When is a time you felt as if you had a clear purpose in life? • How does the way you’ve arranged your life reflect your purpose? • How do your groups, community and friends help you live out your purpose on a daily basis?
5
Find Your Story in God’s Story
If you feel God is nudging you to go deeper, take some time between now and our next discussion to dig into His Word. Explore the Bible passages related to this session’s theme on your own, jotting your reflections in a journal or in this study guide. Want to go deeper? Select a few verses and try paraphrasing them: writing them in your own words. If you like, share them with the group the next time you meet.
The Giant Secret of Joy
God’s given us all big-picture purpose, but He also calls us to specific purposes and plans throughout our lives. How have you discovered God’s purposes and plans in your life before?
A Journey with the Philippians
Welcome Let’s worship God together!
The mission of Northland, A Church Distributed is to respond to God for the benefit of others. Our vision is to see people coming to Christ and to be transformed together as we link locally and globally to worship and serve everywhere, every day. Join us!
READ 1 CORINTHIANS 13:1-13 (NIV) • What happens to our lives when we live without love?
WATCH THE VIDEO
NorthlandChurch.net/Studies Afterward have someone read the discussion questions in the “Hear God’s Story” section and start the conversation.
Hear God’s Story and Create a New Story MATTHEW 22:34-40 (NIV) Read the passages together, and then discuss the following questions.
• What’s the difference between the attributes that describe love and those that describe a life without love?
• Who are the people in your life it’s hardest for you to love?
Our website has hundreds of archived worship services, stories about the great work God is doing and ways for YOU to be the church everywhere, every day. NorthlandChurch.net
READ EPHESIANS 2:1-10 (MSG) •V erse 1 tells us that before we met Jesus, we “let the world, which doesn’t know the first thing about living, tell [us] how to live.” How does the world tell us to live? What purposes and goals does the world try to give us?
• When it comes to purpose, fortunately we can see that God has already given us a most important purpose for our lives. What did Jesus say was the greatest commandment? Practically speaking, what does that look like?
• How did God respond? What practice did His response model to us?
• What did Jesus say was the second commandment? What are some practical ways you can practice that second commandment?
•A re there purposes you think God is revealing to you now? How can your community come alongside you to help you in those areas?
•H ave you ever experienced some of God’s “good work” that He’s gotten ready for you? What did it look like?
• If you want to make loving God and then loving others your top purposes in life, are there parts of your life you would change? • How have you already practiced loving God in your life? How has that practice changed you? • What are some of your other purposes in life? How do they help you love God or love others? • When is a time your life has been affected by someone else showing you love? Give each person an opportunity to share prayer requests.
Connect & Grow
• Which parts of love are hardest for you? How can your community help you love better?
NOVEMBER 4-6, 2017
DIGGING DEEPER
WEEK
Looking for more questions and reflections so you can keep digging deeper? There’s even more to this week’s study available on Northland’s apps or at NorthlandChurch.net/Studies.
For more information or to get involved as a volunteer, email Hello@NorthlandChurch.net or call 407-949-4000. We are located at 530 Dog Track Road, Longwood, FL 32750.