All Series > Will & Purpose > Part 5
Purpose in Life
Teaching of Virtue
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Purpose in Life
Your purpose in life is not something you need to search for like a life-long treasure hunt. You, like us all, have been called to fulfill the same purpose—
To seek to glorify God in all you do by pursuing a virtuous life.
By fulfilling this one purpose, God fulfills you.
God will put in your path a companion, vocation, people to impact, trials to experience, goals to pursue; you need not grow impatient with the circumstances, but trust “...all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28). Your job is not to question the journey, but to glorify God along the journey.
The secret to fulfillment is not finding your hidden calling—it’s fulfilling God’s calling. Those who pursue self eventually find emptiness at the end of every road; those who pursue God, no matter what road they take, find fulfillment at every turn.
So lace up the shoes of your character, fire up the spirit of your soul, and fulfill the purpose—to seek to glorify God in all you do by pursuing a virtuous life. Noting: the virtuous one pursues a virtuous life not for their own sake, but for God’s sake; for God is not glorified by our works, but by our willful submission to, and union with, His divine will—unlocking the power of the Holy Spirit within us, to work through us.
Scroll down for the related scriptures, quotes, and lesson plan associated with this teaching.
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Related Scripture
“We know that in all things God works for good with those who love him, those whom he has called according to his purpose.” — Romans 8:28 (GNTD)
“Everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made.” — Isaiah 43:7 (ESV)
“He has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time.” — 2 Timothy 1:9 (NIV)
“Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created.” — Revelation 4:11 (ESV)
“God has made us what we are, and in our union with Christ Jesus he has created us for a life of good deeds, which he has already prepared for us to do.” — Ephesians 2:10 (GNTD)
“Now the one who has fashioned us for this very purpose is God, who has given us the Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.” — 2 Corinthians 5:5 (NIV)
“Let everything that has breath praise the Lord! Praise the Lord!” — Psalm 150:6 (ESV)
“The purpose in a man's heart is like deep water, but a man of understanding will draw it out.” — Proverbs 20:5 (ESV)
“Try to be at peace with everyone, and try to live a holy life, because no one will see the Lord without it. Guard against turning back from the grace of God. Let no one become like a bitter plant that grows up and causes many troubles with its poison.” — Hebrews 12:14-15 (GNTD)
“But for this purpose I have raised you up, to show you my power, so that my name may be proclaimed in all the earth.” — Exodus 9:16 (ESV)
“Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man.” — Ecclesiastes 12:13 (ESV)
“The world and everything in it that people desire is passing away; but those who do the will of God live forever.” — 1 John 2:17 (GNTD)
Related Quotes
“Everything we do should glorify God!” — Billy Graham
“God freely created us so that we might know, love, and serve him in this life and be happy with him forever.” — St. Ignatius of Loyola
“We have an idea that God is leading us to a particular end, a desired goal; He is not ... What we call the process God calls the end. His purpose is that I depend on Him and His power NOW. It is the process, not the end that is glorifying to God.” — Oswald Chambers
“Man's true end is to glorify God and to enjoy Him forever.” — Arnold J. Toynbee
“I don't believe there is one great thing I was made to do in this world. I believe there is one great God I was made to glorify. And there will be many ways, even a million little ways, I will declare his glory with my life.” — Emily P. Freeman
“I cannot at the same time accept the glory and give God the glory...Glorifying God means being occupied with and committed to His ways rather than preoccupied with and determined my own way. It is being so thrilled with Him, so devoted to Him, so committed to Him that we cannot get enough of Him!” — Charles R. Swindoll
“But your choices are also not stronger than my purposes, and I will use every choice you make for the ultimate good and the most loving outcome.” — William Paul Young
“To lose ourselves in God is simply to give up our own will to Him. When a soul can truly say Lord I have no other will than Thine it is truly lost in God and united to Him.” — St. Francis de Sales
“It should be observed that perfect love of God consists...in a strong determination and keen desire to please God in all things, and to promote His glory.” — St. Teresa of Avila
“It concerns us to know the purposes we seek in life, for then, like archers aiming at a definite mark, we shall be more likely to attain what we want.” — Aristotle
“Remember our words, then, and whatever is your aim let virtue be the condition of the attainment of your aim, and know that without this all possessions and pursuits are dishonourable and evil.” — Plato
“Purpose...is held to be most closely connected with virtue, and to be a better token of our character than are even our acts.” — Aristotle
Lesson Plan
For your family, small group, or personal reflection.
STEP 1: Introduction
Example: "I'm going to play a short video on the topic of the purpose in life. After the video, I have some questions to gather your thoughts and get the discussion started. We’ll then wrap up with a closing prayer."
STEP 2: Watch Video (or listen)
Watch (or listen to) the video of the teaching (cast to your TV via YouTube). If time allows, also read the teaching, related Scriptures, and related quotes.
STEP 3: Discussion / Reflection
What are your thoughts on the purpose God has called you to fulfill in life? (To seek to glorify God in all we do by pursuing a virtuous life. No matter what happens in life, that purpose should remain constant. Our every goal should be subordinate to it.)
What does it mean to you to pursue a virtuous life “not for your own sake, but for God’s sake”? (God is not glorified by our works, but by our willful submission to, and union with, His divine will—unlocking the power of the Holy Spirit within us, to work through us. Pursuing a virtuous life and high-character is good, but has no eternal value unless it’s rooted in faith and for the will of God, allowing the Holy Spirit to work through us to do God’s will along the journey God has set before us. Because God has called us to run a good race, fight the good fight, and to travel the narrow path of holiness and virtue, not the wide road of destruction of sinfulness and vice.)
God is the only true source of fulfillment. By fulfilling God’s purpose/calling in your life, God fulfills you. Why is it important God is your one true source of fulfillment?
What’s something you can start (or stop) doing this week to better seek to glorify God in your life?
Did any of the related Scriptures or quotes stand out to you (please elaborate)?
Any other thoughts you’d like to share?
STEP 4: Wrap Up & Closing Prayer
Summarize and wrap up the discussion. Then, conclude with a sincere and humble prayer from the heart.
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