Been there, done that. Now what?: Purpose

Series: Been there, Done that. Now what?
Purpose by John Burke, September 16, 2007

Finally a message on a topic that is not too important. What a relief. This one was just on the meaning of life. OK – so it’s a little important. In truth – it’s a huge topic and it was a big message - one worth pushing into deeper. Turns out that the person the Bible says was the “wisest man that ever lived” had some thoughts on the subject (if you’re thinking it’s John, sorry... in this case it was Solomon). Probably worth hearing what he had to say on the topic too....

1. John started with a powerful question: “Where is your life going?” Maybe a bit strong for a warm-up question for a group, but we can trade on it to generate some thoughts/discussion. Spend a few minutes talking about the following questions: (10 - 15 minutes)

• Do you think most people could answer that question if asked?
• For those that could – what kinds of answers would you expect to hear?
• For those who couldn’t, why do you think it could be a hard question to know the answer to?

If you can, keep a casual list of responses to refer back to at the end.

2. Now, continuing on the theme of the questions above, it seems that whether we have a clear idea of where we’re going or not, most of act like we are going somewhere fast, and have some ideas about the routes we should travel. (John called this the “dash” that represents our life between the day we’re born and the day we die.) What are some of the most common routes people take to try to fill their dash with meaning and happiness? (5-10 minutes)

3. Solomon launched a personal quest to understand the meaning of life and happiness and then shared his travel journal with us in the book of Ecclesiastes. John talked about Solomon’s journeys into knowledge, achievement, pleasure, wealth, and fame. What did Solomon conclude about the different paths he traveled?: “It’s all meaningless.” (see Bible verses below). WHEW! Pretty heavy. We’ll come back to this later.

John told us about a train set he had when he was a kid. So, what about you? Think for a minutes: Was there something you really thought would make you happy when you were young – but only discovered that, once you had it, the “buzz” only lasted for awhile? A Barbie doll? Cabbage Patch Kid? Red Ryder B-B gun (Ralphie?) Whatever. What was your happy pill? My bet is that there was nothing inherently wrong with those things… so, why didn’t the happy last? Discuss this some… even if the answer seems obvious at first. Are there any general lessons we can draw about why we don’t get lasting happiness out of so many of the things we THINK will make us happy – even from this simplistic example? (10 minutes)

4. Going back to Solomon now: Was he right? Is it all meaningless? If so, why? If not, what could he have meant? (10 - 15 minutes)

5. Because this question is so central to us, it’s really important to take some time to ask real questions about our own real dash – the one we’re living right now. Think about the question at the beginning: “Where is your life going?” Where do you want it to go? Are you trying any of Solomon’s methods to get there? Will it work? These are heavy questions – certainly not ones that are easy to answer. But take 2-3 minutes to write down your first thoughts. And if you think God is telling you there is more to think about later – write down when you’ll do it. Make it a commitment to God to come back and have that conversation - and be sure to look at the Bible verses below to see what Solomon's answer was.

If anyone wants to ask the group for prayer on anything related to these questions, be sure to take some time at the end to pray for each other.

Bible verses from the message:

I devoted myself to study and to explore by wisdom all that is done under heaven.
Ecclesiastes 1:13

"Meaningless! Meaningless!" says the Teacher. "Utterly meaningless! Everything is meaningless."
Ecclesiastes 1:2

“I thought to myself, ‘Look, I have grown and increased in wisdom more than anyone…[but] with much wisdom comes much sorrow; the more knowledge, the more grief.’”
Ecclesiastes 1:16, 18

“I undertook great projects: I built houses for myself and planted vineyards. I made gardens and parks and planted all kinds of fruit trees in them. I made reservoirs to water groves of flourishing trees…”
Ecclesiastes 2:4-6

I even found great pleasure in hard work, a reward for all my labors. 11 But as I looked at everything I had worked so hard to accomplish, it was all so meaningless—like chasing the wind. There was nothing really worthwhile anywhere.
Ecclesiastes 2:10-11

I collected great sums of silver and gold, the treasure of many kings and provinces. I hired wonderful singers, both men and women, and had many beautiful concubines. I had everything a man could desire! So I became greater than all who had lived in Jerusalem before me, and my wisdom never failed me. Anything I wanted, I would take. I denied myself no pleasure.
Ecclesiastes 2:8-10

Those who love money never have enough; those who love wealth are never satisfied with their income. This too is meaningless.
Ecclesiastes 5:10

I have seen the burden God has placed on us all. Yet God has made everything beautiful for its own time. He has planted eternity in the human heart...God does it so people will revere him.
Ecclesiastes 3:10-11, 14

Remember your Maker while you are young, before the days of trouble come and the years when you will say, "I have no joy in them,"… Remember Him before the silver rope of life is broken and…the dust will return to the earth as it was. And the spirit will return to God Who gave it… The last word, after all has been heard, is: Honor God and obey His Laws. This is all that every person must do.
Ecclesiastes 12:1,7,13

I know that there is nothing better for people than to be happy and to do good while they live. That each of them may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all their toil—this is the gift of God. I know that everything God does will endure forever.
Ecclesiastes 3:12-14

“But if from there you seek the LORD your God, you will find him if you look for him with all your heart and with all your soul.”
Deuteronomy 4:29

Related Next-Step Resources:

Check out the following books and others that are relevant at Gateway's on-line Bookstore (and in the Gateway "Garage")

• The Purpose Driven Life and God's Answers to Life's Difficult Questions by Rick Warren
• S.H.A.P.E.: Finding and Fulfilling Your Unique Purpose for Life by Erik Rees
• Breaking the Idols of Your Heart by Dan Allender
• Search for Significance by Robert McGee

Take a look at Gateway activities, lots of different ways to get involved at Gateway, along with a test to gauge your talents and spiritual gifts at the One Body Gateway website.

Check out spiritual growth resources at Gateway's Way of Christ Next-Steps Website

Prior Sunday message is usual available by the Tuesday following the message (audio available at Gateway's Sunday Message Archive)

02.04.2007 - The Lombardi Trophy & the Parrot

The Lombardi Trophy & the Parrot
February 4, 2007 by Rick Shurtz
Audio Available Online (mp3 format)

In the message, Rick talked about our passions in life, our goals, and how we prepare to reach them. Let’s explore some of these ideas.

1. Rick described Troy Aikman’s response to winning the Superbowl as “Now what?” Have you ever had a time when you finally achieved a long sought-after goal? What did that feel like to you? What did you do next? Take time to describe the events and the emotions. (10 – 15 minutes)

2. What about right now? Is there a goal you have in your life right now that you would call a “passion”? (You can take Rick’s suggestion and ask “If someone else were to observe my life right now, what would they identify as my Lombardi Trophy?” Or - if there is someone you’re doing these discussion questions with who knows you well, you could ask for their insights into what your passion might be). If you know – or have an idea of your passion, describe that a bit, and if possible, explain what makes that goal so desirable for you. PLEASE remember… the “right” answer is just the “real” answer.

If your don’t have a “passion” now, do you have any thoughts about why not, and whether you’re OK with that?

(10 – 15 minutes)

3. Rick talked about the difference between making small things big things, and making big things big things. We probably all know people who do one or the other. Think of an example of someone who does one of these two things (i.e., someone who makes small things big or someone who makes a big deal out of big things). Without naming names, or giving identifying information, take some time to describe that person and their behavior. (10 – 15 minutes)

4. In the message, Rick described the small things as temporary (parrots) and big things as those that have eternal value. What are things that have “eternal value” anyway? Share a bit on what you think that means. (5 minutes)

Now, think about these options:
A) There is something that I would call a “passion” in my life that I think fits the definition of having “eternal value”?
B) There is some area where God has “tickled” something in my heart or mind… something I think could be a passion – or I’d like to be a passion, that has eternal value, but I have not pursued it yet.
C) I can’t really pinpoint anything that I could get that jazzed about that seems to have eternal value… but I’d really like to find something that does.
D) No thanks – not right now.

NOW – take about 5 minutes and write down some thoughts:

If you answered A or B… write down what your passion item is and then write down where your “training” is, or could be next?
If you answer C, write down a prayer that asks for God’s direction and write some possible next steps in finding a passion from Him.
If you answered D, write down the “why”… do you know your reasons why this is not very attractive to you now?

If you have time left, you can take some time to share your answers above as you are comfortable.

Similar to Rick’s message, these options really have to do with your willingness to “go deeper” in your relationship with God. The real question is whether you have that desire and if not, whether you’re willing to let God develop that desire in you. Either way it’s worth talking to God about.

Take your written comments and either spend some time right now to tell them to God silently - if not now, commit to finding 10 minutes in your week to talk with God about them then. If you have any clear direction, be sure to write it down and begin the next steps in “training”.

Message Verses:

Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last. But we do it to get a crown that will last forever.
1 Corinthians 9:24–25, NIV

Train yourself to be godly. For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.
1 Timothy 4:7-8, NIV

Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. No, I discipline myself…so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.
1 Corinthians 9:26-27 NIV

Other relevant Bible Verses:
Hebrews 12:1–11
Isaiah 40:29–31


Next Steps?
Maybe God is prompting you to….

• Consider joining a Gateway Community Group or a Gateway Small Group
• Take a Gateway U class
• Join a serving team
• Find a personal Bible Study plan
• Read a book on some aspect of following Christ or other spiritual development
• You can get other ideas at the Way of Christ website