Date: September 8, 2024
Purpose Abandoned
The Point: God created us with purpose, but our sin keeps us from living out that purpose.
Get Into the Study
Read the following before asking the opening incebreaker question.
Lee Carter has rebuilt many cars in his lifetime. With his passion for restoration, he shares much of his work. His YouTube channel has over 400,000 subscribers, and he highlights some projects he has worked on throughout the years. Of all the vehicles he has owned, driven, and restored, one ride was his dream car. That vehicle? It is a yellow Ford Mustang SVT Cobra Terminator.
When he saw one listed online, he had to check it out. While the photos portrayed the vehicle in bad shape, he realized how bad it was once he saw it in person. Not only was the Terminator in a dilapidated state, but it was also held together by duct tape. After the vehicle’s accident, the front end is demolished, and the power doesn’t even come close to turning on. To look under the hood, you have “to unlock the duct tape” holding the front panels together. Before this vehicle can unleash its 390 horsepower engine, it must be in one piece.
Even though it is in dire condition, Carter still desires to buy the vehicle and see what he can do with it. Who knows how much duct tape he will continue to employ to help it make progress?
For more information, visit https://www.autoevolution.com/news/man-finds-a-mustang-terminator-cobra-in-an-auction-yard-only-duct-tape-keeps-it-together-238487.html.
Get Into the Study [Option from the Advanced Bible Study Teacher Guide]
Use the song Psalm 8 by Shanve and Shane as directed in the “Optional Idea” (p. 16).
Get Into the Study [Option from the Adult Leader Guide]
In advance, play a video or slide show of various aspects of God’s creation. Invite the group to answer the question the psalmist asked in verse 4 in light of such wonder.
Study the Bible
Read this story before discussing Question 3
You have to imagine that Isabel Vaughan-Spruce never knew the firestorm she created when she decided to pray silently outside of an abortion clinic. Due to her convictions, she sought to do something about the injustice to life within the womb. She is the director of March for Life UK. Instead of protesting or doing something destructive, she thought praying was the most helpful thing she could do. She gathered near an abortion clinic in Kings Norton, Birmingham on December 6, 2022 to pray, and what happened next caused quite the uproar.
The West Midlands Police arrested her for silent prayer. After two years, the case has just been settled. She won the legal battle and received a payout due to the unjust treatment she experienced. Isabel said, “Silent prayer is not a crime. Nobody should be arrested merely for the thoughts they have in their heads — yet this happened to me twice at the hands of the West Midlands Police, who explicitly told me that ‘prayer is an offense.’”
The abortion clinic sought to establish a “buffer zone” where no religious activity could happen. While not many use that language, it seems that people often seek such distance from things of the Lord. That abortion clinic didn’t want prayer near it, and many people don’t want anything that resembles religion or true devotion to God close to them either.
For more information, visit: https://www.christianpost.com/news/uk-woman-arrested-for-silently-praying-outside-abortion-clinic.html.
Process with asking and discussing Question #3.
Travis Agnew is a disciple of Jesus, husband to Amanda, dad to the Agnew 3, and Lead Pastor or Rocky Creek Church in Greenville, SC. He loves writing about faith and family at travisagnew.org.
Study the Bible [Option from Senior Adult Leader Guide]
After reading Psalm 8:1-6 point out verse 3 and display a telescope image from NASA to show the vast intricacies of the universe. Then ask the question, “What is a human being that you remember him” (v. 4).
Additional Questions
Icebreaker
- What was the last item you bought that did NOT live up to the purpose you bought it for?
- When have you recently been reminded to count your blessings?
- What is the most interesting way you’ve ever used duct tape?
- What’s the most interesting repurposed project you’ve seen?
Psalm 8:1-6
- How would you describe our primary purpose in life?
- What moves you to worship God?
- How does God’s creation inspire you to praise Him?
- What are some reasons people discount or ignore God’s role as Creator?
- When have you recently felt small when out in nature?
- When have you recently felt inspired to praise God?
Psalm 14:1-3
- What does it mean to be “one who seeks God”?
- What are some examples of people expressing “there is no God” by how they live?
- In a world that constantly seeks to turn us away from God, what practices can anchor us to Him?
- Why do some people think a “sinner” is someone other than themselves?
- In what ways do people turn away from God and His purpose for their lives?
Psalm 14:4-7
- How do you explain to others what it means to repent?
- Why is obedience to God paramount in the Christian’s life?
- Why are some people reluctant to turn to God after they have sinned?
- When has the Lord been a refuge for you in a desperate time?
- How does returning to God help us restore our sense of purpose?
- When have you experience God’s presence with you?
For Those in Your Group
Send the following link to your group members as either a teaser before the group meets or as a follow-up thought:
The Beauty of Dirt … the Beauty of You
Podcast
Click here for a 20-minute podcast for both the group member and the leader.
Podcast (adultsleadertraining): Play in new window | Download
I really enjoy the podcasts each week. I always enjoy the comments and discussion. I personally wasn’t a fan of this weeks format. I prefer the natural flow of discussion. Thanks for the time you put in on these.
Thank you for the variety of this discussion in a group setting in the podcast this week. I learned from it and also found that our group is benefiting spiritually from the way you set up the lessons and the information that you provide for each session.
I always enjoy the podcast each week, however this week’s format was superb!! The group setting added a freshness and a new outlook!! I would love to see more of this in upcoming podcasts.