Shaping Hearts For God Series
Studies in the Life of
Jesus Christ
High School Bible Class
Vegas Drive Church of Christ
Las Vegas, NV
www.vegasdrivechurchofchrist.com/
www.shapingheartsforgod.org/
STOP…LOOK…LISTEN
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LESSON TWO
Today’s Lesson: Preparing ourselves for Jesus
Theme: For us to prepare ourselves to live for
Jesus and be ready for His second-coming
Memory verse: Luke 2:10-11
Objective: To examine the scriptures that tell us
our purpose in life
Key terms: purpose, gospel
STOP…LOOK…LISTEN
• Key terms
– Purpose
• “1. the reason for which something exists or is done, made,
used, etc. 2. an intended or desired result; end; aim; goal.”
• Something you are meant to do, a reason for being
• Purposes can be short-term or long-term, specific or
general, self-centered or others-centered
– Gospel
• Good news
• Specifically, the message of Jesus’ work and purpose,
fulfilled and demonstrated in His death, burial, and
resurrection
STOP…LOOK…LISTEN
• Understanding my purpose in life
– People to turn to various sources to find meaning of
life, reason for existence, purpose in the universe
• Psychology-based self-help books, which tell us to find
purpose within ourselves
• Pursuit of pleasures and goals, leaping from one activity to
another (did that work for Solomon?)
• Focus on personal abilities as the reason for their existence,
saying things like “I was born to do this…”
• Seeking fulfillment in things that make them feel “needed”
or valued or important, such as having children, taking on
great responsibilities, etc.
– Why can these things not provide lasting fulfillment
and happiness?
• All are temporary
• All are self-based
STOP…LOOK…LISTEN
• Understanding my purpose in life
– If you are in the store and notice a device you have
never seen before, and you don’t know what its
purpose is, what is the best way to find out?
• Some people play with it to try to figure it out
• Some people ask others if they know
• The best way is to read the manufacturer’s user manual
– So what is the best way to discover your purpose?
• Read the manual written by the manufacturer (the Bible)!
• But some people still try to figure it out themselves
• Some people still want to ask other people
STOP…LOOK…LISTEN
• Understanding my purpose in life
– Purpose gives us direction, something to aim for
– Purpose gives meaning and value to existence
– What do you think is your purpose in life?
– Solomon sought to understand the meaning of life
and purpose of man by indulging in all the pursuits of
the world (gaining knowledge, wealth, relationships,
hard work, etc.). In the end, he found that any life, or
purpose in life, that is not centered on God, is a
wasted life. Read his conclusion: Ecclesiastes 12:13-14
– Is a Christ-centered life a wasted one? (1 Cor. 15:58)
– What should my purpose in life be?
STOP…LOOK…LISTEN
• What does the Bible say about our purpose?
– Ephesians 1:3-6
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For the grace of God has
appeared, bringing salvation to
• To be holy and blameless
all men, instructing us to deny
• To love God
ungodliness and worldly desires
• To be God’s children
and to live sensibly, righteously
• To live for God’s pleasure and will and godly in the present age,
looking for the blessed hope
• To praise God
and the appearing of the glory
1 Peter 2:9-10
of our great God and Savior,
Christ Jesus, who gave Himself
• To be part of God’s royal family
for us to redeem us from every
• To be part of the priesthood
lawless deed, and to purify for
• To comprise a holy nation
Himself a people for His own
possession, zealous for good
• To be God’s possession
deeds. (Titus 2:11-14)
• To proclaim God’s excellencies
STOP…LOOK…LISTEN
• The goal: to be ready when Jesus returns
• How can I accomplish this purpose?
– Read Luke 12:35-46
• What behaviors characterize the good servants?
– They are ready, watching, waiting, alert, and expecting the
return of their master
– They do the work assigned to them so that the master will
find them working when the he returns
– They do not waste time or squander their opportunities
– They do not abuse their position
• What are the consequences on the servants who did not
fulfill their purpose?
STOP…LOOK…LISTEN
• The goal: to be ready when Jesus returns
• How can I accomplish this purpose?
– Read 1 Corinthians 9:24-27
• What does it take for a competitor to win?
– Preparation, training, hard work, self-control
– Abide by the rules of the competition
– Finish…all the way to the end
• What do you think this means regarding our goal of going to
heaven?
• How can you train yourself to do what is right?
– Study God’s Word, learn what He wants me to do
– Make a conscious and specific effort to do good things
– Surround myself with people who will help me do right
STOP…LOOK…LISTEN
• The goal: to be ready when Jesus returns
• How can I accomplish this purpose?
– Read Hebrews 12:7-11 and Romans 2:4
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Why do parents discipline children?
What kind of parent does not discipline?
Why does God discipline His children?
What does God’s discipline say about His concern for us?
– Read 2 Thessalonians 1:6-9 and 2 Peter 3:9
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To whom will Jesus deal out retribution?
What is the penalty they will receive?
Does God want this to happen to anyone?
What can you do to avoid the penalty?
STOP…LOOK…LISTEN
• Accomplishing my purpose
– Read 1 Corinthians 15:1-2
• What is the gospel?
• What will the gospel help you be?
• What three actions should you take toward the gospel?
– Read 2 Peter 1:2-8
• What has God provided for us?
• To grow, what must you be serious about?
• What are the results of growing in the Lord?
– Read 1 Corinthians 15:10; 10:12-13
• What does God provide to make it possible for you to
accomplish your purpose?
STOP…LOOK…LISTEN
• Accomplishing my purpose
– Read 1 Corinthians 15:10; 10:12-13
• What does God provide to make it possible for you to
accomplish your purpose?
• How will God help, especially when you are tempted to do
wrong?
• What is your part in resisting temptation?
• Next time: Lesson 3 (Jesus is born)