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Chapter 14 of 18

Study Five: The Objectives

Study Five: The Objectives

STUDY FIVE

The Objectives

Read John 14

Christ is the ultimate objective. Christ himself is also the Way. The things that are promised along the way (his presence, guidance, peace, light, assurance) and the conditions entailed by the promises are inextricably linked to the final object God has in mind.

We want to know the right way. Coming to God, we have come to the right place, for we have come to the One who not only can tell us the way, show us the truth, and give us life but who also has said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life” (John 14:6). Jesus identifies himself here in one of his great I am statements, and we are reminded of the primary condition of asking for help: the recognition of who God is. He is everything we are asking for. He is the Alpha, for nothing would have begun without him. He is the Omega, for it is in him that everything finds its perfection and fulfillment. These are mysteries that go deeper than we can fathom, but there are simpler terms which may help us.

The Father’s House

Key thought: The Father’s house is where we belong, and the way to it, as in the story of the prodigal son, is repentance. Christ leads us to the first objective.

  • Read the parable of the prodigal son (Luke 15:11–32). Why was repentance necessary before this son could return to his father?

    Why is it necessary for you to repent if you are to come home to your heavenly Father?

  • The Greek word for repentance is metanoia, which literally means “a changing of one’s mind.” In what ways is repentance like a change of mind?
  • God also calls you to be holy, or sanctified. Write out 1 Peter 1:14–16.

    Why does Peter link the idea of holiness to obedience?

    Into what sort of life should you expect God’s guidance to lead you?

    • His Name’s Sake

    Key thought: God is not primarily concerned about our reputations. We ought to be willing to allow God to do “special” things for us and to accept them quietly, confident that whatever he does fits into the working out of his purposes for us all.

  • According to Psalm 106:7–10, why did the Lord save the Israelites by taking them through the Red Sea?

    What does this tell you about the reason God protects you from danger and from enemies?

  • Read Psalm 23:3. According to this verse, why will God guide you?

    What does it mean for God to do something for his name’s sake?

  • If you are going through a time of trouble, why can you expect God to deliver you, according to Psalm 143:11?
  • If God guides you for his name’s sake, who is glorified whenever your prayers for guidance are answered?

    • Help for Others

    Key thought: God gives to us in order that we may give to others. Whatever he does in the course of our lives, he gives us, through the experience, some power to help others.

  • Matthew 10:8 says in part, “Freely ye have received, freely give.” What are the most important things you have received from God?

    How can you use these things to help others?

  • We need to remember that if we are asking for something that will end with us or shut us off from others, a dead-end kind of thing we have prayed for without much regard for our responsibility to other people, it may be withheld.

    What are some selfish prayers that people pray?

    If you pray without regard for your responsibility to others, how might God choose to answer your prayers?

    • Commitment

    Key thought: The initial choice to go the whole way with God is made of necessity in ignorance of all that will follow. We have been warned that the road will be a hard one, for our Master himself walked a hard road.

  • Read the illustration of riding a roller coaster on page 66. How is this an apt illustration of your commitment to God?
  • Study Luke 9:57–62. What does this passage say about the importance of total commitment to the Lord?

    What excuses do people use to avoid this sort of commitment?

    What excuses have you used?

  • Commitment often results in suffering. How does Romans 8:17–18 comfort you when commitment to Christ leads to suffering?

    • Thanksgiving

    Key thought: It is even possible to be thankful for the valley of the shadow, not because we like it or find anything to enjoy in that fearsome ravine but because we have been told ahead of time that it is not the end of the journey. It is on the way to the Lord’s house, and when we get there we’ll know it was worth enduring any trouble along the way.

  • Study 1 Thessalonians 5:16–18. What three things does this passage tell you to do?

    Why is prayer necessary if you are to follow the commands to be joyful and give thanks?

  • How does knowing that God will lead you to your heavenly home allow you to give thanks in times of adversity?

    • The Knowledge of Truth

    Key thought: The leading of God toward the full light of truth is, like our recognition of him, a lifelong process, and for this we can be thankful. We move one step at a time, and Christ is the Way and the Truth. He does not drop the whole block of truth into our laps at once, for we could not possibly bear the weight of it.

  • Carefully study John 8:31–32. What is necessary before you can know the truth?
  • What does 1 John 2:3 say about how you can be assured that you know Jesus?
  • It will help us do what we have to do today if we can remember why we do it, especially if it seems to us that the answer we get when we pray for the will of God is beyond our powers. It is then that we need to look beyond our powers, beyond ourselves, beyond our own immediate desires. Let us go over again in our minds God’s objectives, and we may be surprised at the ease with which we can then obey

    How does knowing that God is in control of your life enable you to do all things joyfully, even the most humdrum things of life?

    • Applying God’s Truth to Your Life

  • God requires repentance before you can have a right relationship with him. How has repentance helped you have a closer walk with God?
  • List three specific areas of your life where you would like to become more obedient to God.
  • Describe an occasion when you experienced God’s guidance through adversity. How did this experience draw you closer to him?

    • To Do This Week

    List seven specific events in your life for which you can thank God. Include in this list adversities or difficulties that you are experiencing at present. Each day take one of these items and praise God for it.

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