INTRODUCTION
• Today, we are starting a three-week discussion on the will of God.
• Most people assume God’s will for their life is very specific and mysterious.
• We often assume God’s will for our lives is like the dead center of a dartboard—hitting it is difficult, while missing it is dangerously easy.
ILLUSTRATION: Bring out a dart board. Try to hit the bullseye or tell a story about [unsuccessfully] playing darts.
TENSION
• Fortunately for us, God’s will is not like that. It’s not a bullseye to strike, a puzzle left to be decoded, or a maze to escape.
• God’s will for you is clear, not complicated.
• Let’s look at how the Apostle Paul discusses the overarching will of God forHis people.
CONTEXTUALIZING THIS PASSAGE
• This verse is rich in practical principles to help us on our journeys toward discovering God’s will.
• Paul wrote Colossians to help young believers make sense of their newly-found faith.
• They were hungry.
• They were eager.
• They were ready to throw themselves into their purpose with reckless abandon.
• Paul wanted to help them figure out exactly how to do that. That’s why he wrote this section of Scripture.
• The most striking word in this verse is “whatever,” as in “whatever you do.”
• Highlight or circle it because it’s very important.
• “Whatever” is where we find God’s will, as it represents endless possibilities. God’s calling on your life doesn’t limit you; it frees you.
• It opens you up to infinite opportunities. Whatever you find yourself doing, do it for Jesus.
• That’s when you find yourself in God’s will.
• I hear you grumbling, “Okay, this is all good, but how do I really narrow it down? How can I ensure that I am at least getting close?”
• Great question. Let’s get down to the details.
• To know God’s will, we need to define it.
• Let’s break down the will of God into three rings on a dartboard.
Outer Ring: The Works of God
• These are things that are just going to happen.
• Nobody can stop them, and nothing can get in their way.
• The works of God are the things that God is going to do regardless of our intervention.
• He is God, after all. So when it comes to His works, they’re just going to happen.
• For example, when God created gravity, He just did it.
• He didn’t call a meeting.
• He didn’t hold focus groups.
• He had a plan, then followed through with it.
• Because of that, you and I reap the benefits of not floating off into space right now.
• God called Moses.
• God rescued Israel.
• God sent Jesus to Earth.
• All of these things are works of God.
• They are happening all around us, and there is absolutely nothing we can do about it.
• This doesn’t mean you’re a robot running on God’s cosmic firmware.
• There are parts of God’s will that we play a role in.
• That brings us to our next ring on the dartboard.
The Ways of God
• The ways of God are the regulations that God placed on your life. You were designed to live by the ways of God.
• There are over 1,000 commandments in the NewTestament alone. That’s not even counting the “Big Ten” in Exodus.
• When God tells you to do something, you need to listen. Why?
• Because that puts you in the ways of God, and the ways of God are the best place to be.
• God didn’t put these rules in the Bible to control you.
• No, He put them there to shield you.
• When you live a life free of greed, you are content.
• When you live a life of love, you help change people’s lives.
• When you avoid addiction, you are protecting your health.
• When you avoid sexual immorality, you are protecting your relationships.
• God’s way is the best way because it’s the safest.
• Your most important goal is not figuring out God’s exact will. It’s walking in God’s ways.
• The psalmist says, “Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path” (Psalm 119:105).
• The ways of God light the path toward the will of God.
• When you live in God’s ways, He will lead you to His will.
• Which brings us to the central ring.
The Central Ring: The Specific Will of God
• Here we are at the mysterious center point of the diagram. This is where things start to get specific.
• Whom will I marry?
• What will I do?
• Where should I go to school?
• These are all very personal to you, and here is some wonderful news: they are important to God too.
• He loves you and wants the best for you, so let God lead you to the specific will He has for you.
• When people talk about God’s will, it’s usually “what, who, and where.”
• However, God is far more concerned with the “how and why.”
• How will you find the right person to marry? By walking in obedience to God, who will show you the right person.
• How will you find the right job? By pursuing the gifts and passions God put inside you.
• What should you do with your Friday night? Don’t worry too much about the details; just focus on how God asked you to live.
LANDING
• The Apostle Paul gave you the overarching theme of God’s specific will for your life in Colossians.
• He said, “Do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus.”
• Whatever you find yourself doing, do it all in the name of Jesus.
• Whether applying for schools, pursuing a partner, or working your job, live in a way that honors God and points people to Jesus.
• If you do that, you will find yourself working directly toward God’s will for you.
• God's ways are the path to God’s will.
• Walk in His ways and watch His will unfold before your eyes.
TALK IT OUT
Go through these questions with your circle. Be honest. Be open. Talk through the tough stuff.
**Ice Breaker: **Go around your circle and share this week’s highs and lows. What was the best part of your week, and what was the lowest part of your week?
Q1: What is a unique skill you have? How did you learn you have it?
Q2: What stuck out to you from this message?
Q3: What has been your traditional view about the will of God?
Q4: What are some examples of “Works of God”? What are some examples of “Ways of God”?
Q5: “God’s ways are the path to God’s will.” What does this mean to you
Application: Read over some commandments in Scripture (listed in the reading planthis week). Ask for God to help you live your life according to His ways.
READ THESE PASSAGES IN ORDER EVERY DAY
Exodus 20:1-21
Matthew 5:21-30
Matthew 6:1-4
Matthew 6:25-35
Matthew 7:1-62
Timothy 2:24
James 1:19-27
Do the following with each passage:
ASK– God to connect with you here. In prayer, start by slowing down and inviting God to be present. Begin with focus and openness to see what God has for you today.
READ– the selected section of Scripture slowly. Take note of the words and phrases that intrigue you, reading them a second time if necessary.
REFLECT– on what grabs you. How does this passage personally relate to your own life andexperiences?
RESPOND– to the Scripture. Speak directly to God about what’s on your mind and heart. Look for waysto live out what you’ve uncovered.
INTRODUCTION
• Today, we are starting a three-week discussion on the will of God.
• Most people assume God’s will for their life is very specific and mysterious.
• We often assume God’s will for our lives is like the dead center of a dartboard—hitting it is difficult, while missing it is dangerously easy.
ILLUSTRATION: Bring out a dart board. Try to hit the bullseye or tell a story about [unsuccessfully] playing darts.
TENSION
• Fortunately for us, God’s will is not like that. It’s not a bullseye to strike, a puzzle left to be decoded, or a maze to escape.
• God’s will for you is clear, not complicated.
• Let’s look at how the Apostle Paul discusses the overarching will of God forHis people.
CONTEXTUALIZING THIS PASSAGE
• This verse is rich in practical principles to help us on our journeys toward discovering God’s will.
• Paul wrote Colossians to help young believers make sense of their newly-found faith.
• They were hungry.
• They were eager.
• They were ready to throw themselves into their purpose with reckless abandon.
• Paul wanted to help them figure out exactly how to do that. That’s why he wrote this section of Scripture.
• The most striking word in this verse is “whatever,” as in “whatever you do.”
• Highlight or circle it because it’s very important.
• “Whatever” is where we find God’s will, as it represents endless possibilities. God’s calling on your life doesn’t limit you; it frees you.
• It opens you up to infinite opportunities. Whatever you find yourself doing, do it for Jesus.
• That’s when you find yourself in God’s will.
• I hear you grumbling, “Okay, this is all good, but how do I really narrow it down? How can I ensure that I am at least getting close?”
• Great question. Let’s get down to the details.
• To know God’s will, we need to define it.
• Let’s break down the will of God into three rings on a dartboard.
Outer Ring: The Works of God
• These are things that are just going to happen.
• Nobody can stop them, and nothing can get in their way.
• The works of God are the things that God is going to do regardless of our intervention.
• He is God, after all. So when it comes to His works, they’re just going to happen.
• For example, when God created gravity, He just did it.
• He didn’t call a meeting.
• He didn’t hold focus groups.
• He had a plan, then followed through with it.
• Because of that, you and I reap the benefits of not floating off into space right now.
• God called Moses.
• God rescued Israel.
• God sent Jesus to Earth.
• All of these things are works of God.
• They are happening all around us, and there is absolutely nothing we can do about it.
• This doesn’t mean you’re a robot running on God’s cosmic firmware.
• There are parts of God’s will that we play a role in.
• That brings us to our next ring on the dartboard.
The Ways of God
• The ways of God are the regulations that God placed on your life. You were designed to live by the ways of God.
• There are over 1,000 commandments in the NewTestament alone. That’s not even counting the “Big Ten” in Exodus.
• When God tells you to do something, you need to listen. Why?
• Because that puts you in the ways of God, and the ways of God are the best place to be.
• God didn’t put these rules in the Bible to control you.
• No, He put them there to shield you.
• When you live a life free of greed, you are content.
• When you live a life of love, you help change people’s lives.
• When you avoid addiction, you are protecting your health.
• When you avoid sexual immorality, you are protecting your relationships.
• God’s way is the best way because it’s the safest.
• Your most important goal is not figuring out God’s exact will. It’s walking in God’s ways.
• The psalmist says, “Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path” (Psalm 119:105).
• The ways of God light the path toward the will of God.
• When you live in God’s ways, He will lead you to His will.
• Which brings us to the central ring.
The Central Ring: The Specific Will of God
• Here we are at the mysterious center point of the diagram. This is where things start to get specific.
• Whom will I marry?
• What will I do?
• Where should I go to school?
• These are all very personal to you, and here is some wonderful news: they are important to God too.
• He loves you and wants the best for you, so let God lead you to the specific will He has for you.
• When people talk about God’s will, it’s usually “what, who, and where.”
• However, God is far more concerned with the “how and why.”
• How will you find the right person to marry? By walking in obedience to God, who will show you the right person.
• How will you find the right job? By pursuing the gifts and passions God put inside you.
• What should you do with your Friday night? Don’t worry too much about the details; just focus on how God asked you to live.
LANDING
• The Apostle Paul gave you the overarching theme of God’s specific will for your life in Colossians.
• He said, “Do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus.”
• Whatever you find yourself doing, do it all in the name of Jesus.
• Whether applying for schools, pursuing a partner, or working your job, live in a way that honors God and points people to Jesus.
• If you do that, you will find yourself working directly toward God’s will for you.
• God's ways are the path to God’s will.
• Walk in His ways and watch His will unfold before your eyes.
TALK IT OUT
Go through these questions with your circle. Be honest. Be open. Talk through the tough stuff.
**Ice Breaker: **Go around your circle and share this week’s highs and lows. What was the best part of your week, and what was the lowest part of your week?
Q1: What is a unique skill you have? How did you learn you have it?
Q2: What stuck out to you from this message?
Q3: What has been your traditional view about the will of God?
Q4: What are some examples of “Works of God”? What are some examples of “Ways of God”?
Q5: “God’s ways are the path to God’s will.” What does this mean to you
Application: Read over some commandments in Scripture (listed in the reading planthis week). Ask for God to help you live your life according to His ways.
READ THESE PASSAGES IN ORDER EVERY DAY
Exodus 20:1-21
Matthew 5:21-30
Matthew 6:1-4
Matthew 6:25-35
Matthew 7:1-62
Timothy 2:24
James 1:19-27
Do the following with each passage:
ASK– God to connect with you here. In prayer, start by slowing down and inviting God to be present. Begin with focus and openness to see what God has for you today.
READ– the selected section of Scripture slowly. Take note of the words and phrases that intrigue you, reading them a second time if necessary.
REFLECT– on what grabs you. How does this passage personally relate to your own life andexperiences?
RESPOND– to the Scripture. Speak directly to God about what’s on your mind and heart. Look for waysto live out what you’ve uncovered.
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