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Dynamics of Christian Spirituality - Lesson 7

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Discovering Purpose and Meaning

The Christian life involves connecting, becoming and doing. We discover meaning in life by aligning ourselves with God’s call to steward creation, evangelize the nations, and build his kingdom.

Glen Scorgie
Glen Scorgie
Dynamics of Christian Spirituality
Lesson 7
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Discovering Purpose and Meaning

Discovering Purpose and Meaning
 

A. Review and introduction: We were created for joyful participation in God’s work in the world, but sin has made our existence seem futile. By his Spirit, Christ is rebuilding purpose and meaning into our lives.

B. The importance of vocation: The Christian life as connecting, becoming and doing

C. The consistent biblical pattern: Examples from the biographies of Moses, Isaiah, Jesus and Paul

D. The gift of commission (Klauss Bockmuehl)

E. Here is where we belong: Authentic Christian spirituality follows the pattern of the incarnation - it becomes flesh. Vocation is following the heart of God into the world.

F. The problem of meaninglessness

G. The human search for meaning: "He who has a why to live for can bear with almost any "how." (Victor Frank)

H. Ultimately, it's not about us (John 4:34)

I. Dimensions of purpose in life: Ways to glorify God

1. The creational mandate (Gen. 1-2)

2. The evangelistic mandate (Matt. 28)

3. Building the kingdom (Matt. 6)

J. Help beyond ourselves (Phil. 4:13, John 15)

K. Hearts in sync with the heart of God: Knowing God = participation in the divine disposition

L. Some helpful guides: Augustine of Hippo (354-430), John Bunyan (1628-88) and Rick Warren

M. Summary - The Christian life involves connecting, becoming and doing. We have begun our study of the vocational dynamic of Christian spirituality—God’s gracious solution to the apparent futility of human existence. It is an incredible gift to be called to purposeful living and to contribute to a cause greater than ourselves. We discover meaning in life by aligning ourselves with God’s call to steward creation, evangelize the nations, and build his kingdom. The spiritual life is one that is self-given to the greater movement of God’s will.


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  • 1. Getting Started

    The modern way of life has left the human spirit unsatisfied. Though organized religion has been found deficient, real Spirit-uality remains God’s gracious provision for the soul-hunger of every age. We have introduced a framework for understanding such spirituality – one that highlights its three essential dynamics.

  • 2. A Historical Overview of Spirituality

    It is within the narrative of scripture that we continue to live and move. We are interested in the quality of spirituality that characterized the countless saints who have pursued God down through the centuries. Their legacy is not infallible, but it is instructive and potentially very helpful.

  • 3. Friendship With God

    We were created for community, but our sin has produced alienation. By his Spirit, Christ is restoring our intimacy with God and others.

  • 4. Experiencing Community

    The first dynamic of Christian spirituality is relational— friendship with God and the experience of community.

  • 5. The Renewal of Holiness

    We have become image-bearers who sin, and worse than that, we carry about in us a disposition to sin. The gospel is the good news that our sinful thoughts and actions can be forgiven through the atoning work of Christ. God’s Spirit, who now resides in us, is also fixing the polluted source of ours sins.

  • 6. The Healing of Our Wounds

    God’s saving plan is to change us into persons who are both holy and whole.

  • 7. Discovering Purpose and Meaning

    The Christian life involves connecting, becoming and doing. We discover meaning in life by aligning ourselves with God’s call to steward creation, evangelize the nations, and build his kingdom.

  • 8. The Gift of a Personal Calling

    The ability to discern our personal vocation in life is important. What we do with our lives is an essential element of true spirituality.

  • 9. An Integrated Spirituality

    Each of us should seek to live a Christ-centered, Spirit-filled life characterized all three dynamics of Christian spirituality: relational, transformational and vocational. We should conscientiously incorporate all three into our prayer lives as well.

  • 10. Living With Disciplined Intent

    Grace is not opposed to effort, but to earning (Dallas Willard). We are as spiritual as we want to be (A. W. Tozer).

  • 11. Epilogue - Yearning For Better Days

    The journey of our pursuit of God that we are on has joyful experiences as well as challenges in store. Pursue God, value relationships and live life with an attitude of expectancy and joy.

If you are familiar with the author's A Little Guide to Christian Spirituality: Three Dimensions of Life with God, you will have a good idea of what is in this course.

The course is designed for those who are at the beginning stages of the spiritual journey. It talks about the dynamics of spiritual growth, how to grow to be more like Christ. (10:50)

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