The Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren—A Synopsis (continued). Chapter 40—Living with Purpose (pages 312-319) Summary The believer doesn’t really live unless he lives on purpose for God. When this is accomplished in his life, he answers the three basic issues in life—(1) his identity, or who he is, (2) his importance, or his meaning, and (3) his impact, or his place in life. This book gives to the reader the five purposes for his life, but the reader can only be blessed if he practically fulfills them. Since it easy to forget these purposes, a purpose statement should be written and reviewed regularly. Such a statement should contain the following: A summary of God’s purposes for one’s life—a commitment to God’s five purposes for one’s life. A direction for one’s life—the path of one’s life. A definition of success for one’s life—a clarification of one’s personal values. A clarification of one’s roles—those that change in one’s life as the purposes remain unchangeable. An expression of one’s S-H-A-P-E—God’s unique design of one’s person and characteristics for His service. The five questions a believer should consider when developing his purpose statement are as follows: What will be the center of my life?—a question of worship. What will be the character of my life?—a question of discipleship. What will be the contribution of my life?—a question of service. What will be the communication of my life?—a question of mission. What will be the community of my life?—a question of fellowship. The believer should fully understand that each of the following has specific meaning: Worship—means to please God, to live only for His glory. Discipleship—means to grow in or become more like Christ. Service—means to minister to the Body of Christ (believers). Mission—means to present the gospel message to unbelievers. Fellowship—means to join/participate in a local assembly (church) of believers. Writing a short statement or slogan that summarizes the five purposes for life in a way that is memorable and inspirational and that can be reviewed daily will also be very helpful for the believer to “stay on track” in his Christian life. Quotes “Most people struggle with three basic issues in life. The first is identity: ‘Who am I?’ The second is importance: ‘Do I matter?’ The third is impact: ‘What is my place in life?’ The answers to all three questions are found in God’s five purposes for you.” (pg. 312) “Once you know what God wants you to do, the blessing comes in actually doing it.” (pg. 312) “What matters most is that you fulfill God’s eternal purposes regardless of where you live or work or whom you marry.” (pg. 317) “Focus on God’s purposes for your life, not your plans, since that’s what will last forever.” (pg. 317) “One day history will come to a close, but eternity will go on forever.” (pg. 319) Scriptures Proverbs 19:21; Acts 13:36; John 13:17; Psalm 33:11; Proverbs 4:26; 17:24; Philippians 1:10; 2 Chronicles 14:4; Ephesians 3:17; 4:7; Galatians 5:22, 23; Matthew 5:3-12; 2 Peter 1:5; 1 Timothy 4:16b; 2 Corinthians 9:12; John 15:16a; Joshua 24:15; Philippians 1:27; Ephesians 5:25; Proverbs 22:18; 19:21; 1 Thessalonians 2:4b; 2 Corinthians 10:13; Acts 13:36a, 22; Esther 4:14; 2 Chronicles 16:9; 1 Corinthians 9:26; Philippians 1:21; 2 Corinthians 4:17; Revelation 4:11. Conclusion/Comments Understanding God’s five purposes for an individual’s life, the believer can then only be blessed when fulfilling them. To assist the believer in “staying on track” and not forgetting the purposes, it is helpful for the believer to write out a detailed purpose statement, which describes each goal as it applies to the believer’s personal life. Each day the believer should review the statement and live his life accordingly. By doing so, he will be achieving results that will have eternal value.