Find Your Purpose Within Group Guide

Start Off

• When you were younger, what did you want to be when you grew up, and why?

• When it comes to purpose, why do you think people tend to focus more on the what of life rather than the why?

Reflect on God’s Word

Jeff talked about three categories when we live with “self” at the center:

• Drifters - those who bounce around from job to job, distraction to distraction, and hobby to hobby, trying to find something meaningful
• Strivers – those who are hungry, focused, want to achieve, and have something to prove
• Sufferers – those in despair because they can’t find a sense of purpose or meaning in life; they don’t know their why and they feel hopeless about it.

Which category do you relate to most right now?

Read Luke 9:23-25. What do you think Jesus is saying in this passage, and how does that relate to finding our purpose?

Go Deeper

• Jeff shared that he decided to follow Jesus when he was in junior high going into high school. If you have made the decision to follow Jesus, when did that happen for you? What was your life like before and after that decision?

• Jeff also said, “Jesus is offering a life with the biggest ‘why’ possible, to know Jesus and over time become more and more like him, the best versions of us, and to join him in his redemptive mission.” How would your daily life change if your primary “why” became following Jesus instead of pursuing personal success or comfort?

• What is one area (work, school, family, relationships) where you can live out God’s purpose more intentionally this week?

• Read the following quote by Andy Stanley: “Blessed is the one who gets the opportunity to devote his life to something bigger than himself and to find himself surrounded by friends who share his passion. In this way I have been disproportionally blessed.” What steps can we as a group take to live into this?

Pray

Take turns sharing prayer requests and things you are thankful for, and then pray for one another.

VERSE TO MEDITATE ON AND MEMORIZE THIS WEEK

Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. (Luke 9:23, NIV)

PUT IT INTO PRACTICE (BETWEEN MEETINGS)

Day 1 – Recenter Your Why

• Read Luke 9:23–25

• Ask: “What is currently driving my life: self or Jesus?”

• Practice: Write a one-sentence “why statement” centered on following Jesus.

Day 2 – Deny Self

• Read Philippians 2:3–4

• Identify one area where you usually put yourself first.

• Practice: Choose to put someone else first in a tangible way (time, attention, or preference).

Day 3 – Take Up Your Cross

• Read Galatians 2:20

• Reflect on what following Jesus is costing you (or could cost you).

• Practice: Take one step of obedience you’ve been avoiding.

Day 4 – Follow Daily

• Read Luke 9:23 (focus on “daily”)

• Ask: “What would it look like to follow Jesus today in my normal routine?”

• Practice: Before each major part of your day, pray: “Jesus, lead me right here.”

Day 5 – Live the Mission

• Read Matthew 5:14–16

• Identify where God has placed you (work, school, home).

• Practice: Intentionally serve, encourage, or influence someone for good as a way of joining Jesus’ mission.