Key Passage: Galatians 5:22-24

Verses for the week:

Monday: Job 42:2 2 “I know that you can do all things; no purpose of yours can be thwarted.” Habakkuk 2:3 “For still the vision awaits its appointed time; it hastens to the end—it will not lie. If it seems slow, wait for it; it will surely come; it will not delay.” Sometimes God’s purpose can seem so distant and difficult. As you read these two verses from their context, how do they relate to your pursuit of living out the fruits of the Spirit?

Tuesday: Colossians 1:16-18 “For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy.” What grabs your attention about these verses as they relate to living out his purpose?

Wednesday: Ephesians 2:10 “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” Our purpose is good works? How do you see this playing out right now in your life? Your family? Your team or group?

Thursday: Proverbs 19:21 “ Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the LORD’s purpose that prevails.” Isaiah 46:10-11 “I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come. I say, ‘My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please.’ From the east I summon a bird of prey; from a far-off land, a man to fulfill my purpose. What I have said, that I will bring about; what I have planned, that I will do.” Pray today that God will help align your plans to his, your actions to his, your motives to his, and your outcomes to his.

Friday: Psalm 33: 10-12 “The Lord foils the plans of the nations;  he thwarts the purposes of the peoples. But the plans of the Lord stand firm forever, the purposes of his heart through all generations. Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people he chose for his inheritance.” Sometimes we struggle with doubt because of what we see or don’t see. Pray that you can cling to his promises even when it goes against the popular opinions of the world.

Saturday: Romans 8:28-29 “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who[a] have been called according to his purpose. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters.”

Sunday: Matthew 28:18-20 “Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.””

Discussion/Reflection Questions:

1. In your search for meaning, purpose and significance, where do you often find yourself drawn? What solutions do you look toward? What voices from this world compete with God to pollute your purpose or rob you of God’s purposes for you?

2. How do the fruits of the Spirit speak to you about God’s purpose for you? For others?

3. Which fruit of the Spirit do you most recognize in yourself? Which fruit do you have most trouble submitting to the will of the Holy Spirit? What would others say?

4. Within your team, family, church, or small group, how are you helping others by living out God’s purpose for your life? How can you as a group help each other on the journey of living in the purpose of God.

5. When you struggle with living for your own glory rather than Gods, what are some things you can do to realign your heart and mind to the purpose and plan God has for your life?

Prayer: Ask God to help you hear his voice and his purpose above all the noise and wisdom of this world.