Letting God Use You To Change the World

Though everyone lives life, I think some live it more fully. Those who really live life to the full have a specific goal they are aiming for and a deeper reason for why they do what they do. They have purpose. They believe in some way they can change the world around them.

Having a bigger purpose makes life exciting and helps us endure hard times, because we are hopeful of something greater ahead. This Bible study will help us understand and develop the purpose God has destined for us so we can live life to the full and hopefully change the world for the better.

And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.

Romans 8:28 (NLT)

God has a purpose for everyone, so he has a specific purpose for you.

What’s God’s purpose for me?

To find him

From one man he made all the people of the world. Now they live all over the earth. He decided exactly when they should live. And he decided exactly where they should live. 27 God did this so that people would seek him. And perhaps they would reach out for him and find him. They would find him even though he is not far from any of us. 28 ‘In him we live and move and exist.’ As some of your own poets have also said, ‘We are his children.’

Acts 17:26-28 (NIRV)

God decided when and where you were born, so you could have the best chance to find him. We become who we are meant to be and live our destiny when we are in a close relationship with God. But we have to choose to reach out to him for that relationship.

How has God arranged your life to put you in a position where you can reach out, find him and build a close relationship with him?

To have a great life

Yes, I am the gate. Those who come in through me will be saved. They will come and go freely and will find good pastures. 10 The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.

John 10:9-10 (NLT)

God sent Jesus to earth with the purpose of giving you “a rich and satisfying life.” Do you believe God wants you to have a great life?
Choose to believe this Scripture over what you may feel or negative circumstances you may be experiencing.

To change people’s lives for the better

3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is the Father who is full of mercy and all comfort. 4 He comforts us every time we have trouble, so when others have trouble, we can comfort them with the same comfort God gives us.

2 Corinthians 1:3-4 (NCV)

Those around us will either have better lives because they know us or worse lives. It depends on the choices we make, the example we set and how much we care about them instead of only caring about ourselves.

According to this Scripture, when we get comfort from God we are able to help others out too.

What challenges are you going through right now? How can you get comfort from God with these challenges? Who has God put around you that has something they need help with? How can you help them?

The Bible trains us for our purpose

16 All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right.17 God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.

2 Timothy 3:16-17 (NLT)

God uses the Bible to train us to do good. Much of what happens in our lives and to the people around us is unplanned and unexpected. The Bible prepares us to do the right thing and to choose to do good when life throws those unplanned and unexpected moments at us.
Do you allow God to use the Bible to train you to do good? Do you use it daily to prepare yourself to do good? Do you allow others to train you using the Bible? Do you use the Bible to train the people closest to you by sharing Scriptures with your friends?

Prayer focuses us on our purpose

35 Early the next morning, while it was still dark, Jesus woke and left the house. He went to a lonely place, where he prayed.36 Simon and his friends went to look for Jesus. 37 When they found him, they said, “Everyone is looking for you!”
38 Jesus answered,“We should go to other towns around here so I can preach there too. That is the reason I came.” 39 So he went everywhere in Galilee, preaching in the synagogues and forcing out demons.

Mark 1:35-39 (NCV)

Spending time with God in prayer is meant to help us be about our purpose. Prayer should get us focused to tackle our day and live how God wants us to live – by doing good.

We can learn a lot from this verse about how Jesus prayed:

• Where and when did Jesus pray?
• How did the people respond to him when looking for him? How did he respond to them?
• How would you respond to someone who yells at you?
• How easily are you distracted from doing good?
• After Jesus prayed what was he focused on?
• How can you imitate Jesus’ example, so you can be focused on your purpose?

Lives change when we live our purpose

Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. 8 Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction;whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.9 Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.

Galatians 6:7 (NIV)
24 Don’t you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win! 25 All athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize. 26 So I run with purpose in every step. I am not just shadowboxing. 27 I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should. Otherwise, I fear that after preaching to others I myself might be disqualified.

1 Corinthians 9:24-27 (NLT)

God’s purpose for us is to change the world through loving, doing good and teaching others to have a relationship with God. Doing good one person at a time will eventually change the world!

We can get tired of doing good when we stop believing we can change, others can change and that God can change anything. Don’t give up! God can help anyone change anytime they want to!

Is there a person or situation you have given up on doing good for? What opportunities has God placed in front of you to do good? Who has God put in your life to help? What do you need to sacrifice in order to help change someone else’s life?