Adult Classes
The Adult Sunday School classes broach a variety of topics ranging from current issues, relations with other religions, Bible Studies, people of the Bible and hot topics. Most of the Sunday School Classes are intereactive with technological presentations.
The PURPOSE DRIVEN Life
What on Earth Am I Here For?
June 20 – Chapters 1-3
1a. What do you think are implications of the first sentence of this book, “It’s not about
you”?
1b. In spite of all the advertising around me, how can I remind myself that life is really about living for God, not myself?
2a. Knowing that God uniquely created me, what areas of my personality, background, and physical appearance am I struggling to accept?
2b. God said to Jeremiah: “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you
were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations.” (Jer 1:5). In what
ways do you feel God has consecrated you—set you apart for his purpose?
3a. What do you feel most people’s lives are driven by? What has been the driving force in your life?
3b. What would my family and friends say is the driving force of my life? What do I want it to be?
June 27 – Chapter 4-7
4a. Since I was made to last forever, what is the one thing I should stop doing and the one thing I should start doing today?
4b. If everyone understood that life on earth is really preparation for eternity, how would we act differently?
5a. What has happened to me recently that I now realize was a test from God?
5b. Reflect upon the passage: “Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a little, I will set you over much; enter into the joy of your master.” (Matt 25:23). Over what matters has God entrusted you?
6a. What do people get attached to on earth that keeps them from living for God’s purposes?
6b. What have you been attached to that could keep you from living for God’s purposes?
Purpose #1: You Were Planned for God’s Pleasure
July 4 – OFF
July 11 – Chapters 8-10
8a. How is “living your whole life for God’s pleasure” different from the way most people understand “worship”?
8b. What common task could I start doing as if I were doing it directly for Jesus?
9a. Have there been times in my life when I’ve trusted God and have felt his smile?
9b. Since God knows what is best, in what areas of my life do I need to trust him most?
10a. Reflect upon Jesus’ words at Gethsemane: “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me; yet not what I want but what you want” (Matt 26:39). Has this ever been my struggle?
10b. What area of my life am I holding back from God?
July 18 – Chapters 11-14
11a. How is friendship with God similar to any other friendship, and how is it different?
11b. What can I do to remind myself to think about God and talk to him more often throughout the day?
12a. Reflect on the passage “Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you” (James 4:8). When in my life have I felt near to God?
12b. What practical choices will I make today in order to grow closer to God?
13a. Which is easier for you—public or private worship? In which do you usually feel closer to God?
13b. What might I do to make my worship more authentic, thoughtful and practical?
14a. How can I stay focused on God’s presence, especially when he feels distant?
14b. When is it appropriate to express anger to God?
Purpose #2: You Were Formed for God’s Family
July 25 – Chapters 15-17
15a. How is “being as committed to each other as we are to Jesus Christ” different from the way most people understand fellowship?
15b. How can I start treating other believers like members of my family?
16a. Honestly, are relationships my first priority? How can I ensure that they are?
16b. What are the barriers that keep us from loving and caring for other believers?
17a. What are the most common excuses people give for not joining a church, and how would you answer them?
17b. Does my levels of involvement in my local church demonstrate that I love and am committed to God’s family?
August 1 – Chapters 18-21
18a. What would make it easier for you to be able to share your needs, hurts, fears, and hopes with others?
18b. What one step can I take today to connect with another believer at a more genuine, heart-to-heart level?
19a. What do I see as the most important keys to cultivating Christian community?
19b. How can I help promote the characteristics of real community in my church?
20a. Reflect on the verse: “Put things in order, listen to my appeal, agree with one another, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you” (2 Cor 13:11). How can broken relationships in the church be restored?
20b. With whom do I need to restore a broken relationship—and how do I begin?
21a. What types of behavior can foment disunity within a church?
21b. What am I personally doing to protect unity in my church family right now?
Purpose #3: You Were Created to Become Like Christ
August 8 – Chapters 22-25
22a. How is becoming like Jesus Christ different from the way most people understand discipleship?
22b. In what area of my life do I need to ask for the Spirit’s power to be like Christ today?
23a. What are some of the changes you have seen in your life since you became a believer? What have others noticed?
23b. What is one area where I need to stop thinking my way and start thinking God’s way?
24a. Reflect on the verse: “If you continue in my word, then are you my disciples indeed; and you shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free” (John 8:31-32). How can we know the truth?
24b. What has God already told me in his Word that I haven’t started doing yet?
August 15 – Chapters 26-28
26a. When are you most vulnerable to temptation?
26b. What Christ-like character quality can I develop by defeating the most common temptation I face?
27a. What are the steps for defeating temptation, and which could help you the most?
27b. Who could I ask to be a spiritual partner to help me defeat a persistent temptation by praying for me?
28a. Reflect upon the following passage: “For this very reason, you must make every effort to support your faith with goodness, and goodness with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with endurance, and endurance with godliness, and godliness with mutual affection, and mutual affection with love. For if these things are yours and are increasing among you, they keep you from being ineffective and unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Pet 1:5–8). How can you apply this formula to your life?
28b. In what area of my spiritual growth do I need to be more patient and persistent?
Purpose #4: You Were Shaped for Serving God
August 22 – Chapters 29-32
29a. In what ways can we best serve God?
29b. What is holding me back from accepting God’s call to serve him?
30a. How is “using your shape to serve others” different from the way most people understand “ministry”?
30b. In what way can I see myself passionately serving others and loving it?
31a. Reflect upon the following passage: “Like good stewards of the manifold grace of God, serve one another with whatever gift each of you has received” (1 Pet 4:10). How can you apply this passage to your life?
31b. What God-given abilities or personal experiences can I offer my church?
32a. How does comparing ourselves with others keep us from fully developing our unique shape?
32b. How can I make the best use of what God has given me?
August 29 – Chapters 33-35
33a. What are the characteristics of real servants?
33b. Which of the characteristics of good servants offers the greatest challenge to me?
34a. What characterizes the worldview of a true Christian servant?
34b. Am I usually more concerned about being served or finding ways to serve others?
35a. How have you seen God’s power demonstrated through you when you felt weak?
35b. Am I limiting God’s power in my life by trying to hide my weaknesses? What do I need to be honest about in order to help others?
Purpose #5: You Were Made for a Mission
September 5 – Chapters 36-40
36a. What are some typical fears and stereotypes that people have when they hear the word “evangelism”?
36b. What fears have kept me from fulfilling the mission God made me to accomplish? What keeps me from telling others the Good News?
37a. What do you feel might be a part of the Life Message that God has given you to share with the world?
37b. As I reflect upon my personal story, who does God want me to share it with?
38a. What can our Church do together to help fulfill the Great Commission?
38b. What steps can I take to prepare to go on a short-term missions experience in the next year?
39a. In your life, how is the balance between the five purposes outlined in this book?
39b. Which of the four activities in this chapter will you begin in order to stay on track and balance God’s five purposes for my life?
40a. When will I take the time to write down my answers to life’s five greatest questions? When will I put my purpose on paper?
40b. How has reading this book together refocused or redirected your life purpose? What have been some of the most helpful insights for you?