Catechism Study – Question #1
Catechism Study – Question #1
Question:
What is the purpose of man?
Answer:
The purpose of man is to glorify God and to enjoy him forever.
Scripture:
“So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.”
-1 Cor. 10:31
“Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created.”
-Rev. 4:11
“Whom have I in heaven but you? And on earth there is nothing I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail. but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.”
-Ps. 73:25-26
“Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice.”
-Phil. 4:4
Summary:
Many people go through life asking “Why am I here?” But the bible tells us why. The thing is, we cant answer that question by looking at ourselves (which most of the world does) but instead looking to God and His Word. If you want to know how something is supposed to work and its purpose, we know that we would ask the creator of that thing. The same goes with us, we need to seek after God (through His Word) to know who we are and what we were designed for.
Before the fall, we were perfectly God-centered beings. But after the fall of Adam, we became man-centered and have struggled to know our purpose ever since. Instead of being satisfied with God (and Him alone), we became satisfied with ourselves (and other things in this world). Instead of seeking to enjoy God, we seek to enjoy ourselves and the things in our life.
By saying that we are to glorify God, we are not saying we are to make God “glorious”. God is already glorious just by the fact of who He is. We cant add anything to the worth of God. Instead we need to see glorifying God as “reflecting” God’s glory rather than adding to it.
For example, the world doesn’t make God glorious, it reflects His glory (Ps. 19:1). Same with us, we don’t make God glorious, we reflect it to others (which means it glorifies God!). Think of it like this, something created can not make it’s creator more glorious, it can only display the glory that the creator already has, and it does this by reflecting that glory through itself.
So what is the best way we can glorify God? Well, what is the best way we glorify things? How do we show others that we love our iPods, music, video games, etc? We show others how much we love those things by our enjoyment of them. Same goes with God. We show that God is glorious to us, in many ways, but ultimately by our enjoyment of Him. Now, that’s not the only way we can glorify God, but if we truly enjoy God for who He is, we will glorify him in other areas of our life as well.
Problem is, people don’t want to glorify God and enjoy him forever. Instead we are happy to enjoy and glorify things, money, the world, and even ourselves! We settle for such lower standards and enjoyments than the best thing in the world – God. And therefore we have sinned before Him and are held accountable for those sins. Thank God we have a savior in Jesus Christ!
In this life, we will never fully glorify God, or enjoy him fully as He deserves. That will only come after we are with God in heaven. But as we seek after God each day, we will continue to grow and glorify Him in our lives as we show his glory to others by sharing our faith, encouraging each other, preaching and teaching to others, etc.
So, every day seek God in all areas of your life. Reflect his glory to others. Show your enjoyment of Him to the world over the things that the world enjoys. By doing this, we point towards why we were truly created – to glorify God and enjoy HIM forever!
Study Questions:
1. What do we mean by “glorify”?
2. Why is it wrong to glorify things rather than God?
3. How is God glorified in our lives?
4. Can we add to the glory of God? Why or why not?
5. Why can’t we fully glorify God now?
6. Can an unbeliever glorify God? Why or why not?
7. Give some examples of how we can glorify God in our lives? What are ways He is not glorified? What is the main difference?
All Comments 12
yo man, this is off the chain meter! I love this catechizing thing. What a tight way to learn about Christ. Keep up the good work Reach!
Your Name
– Aug 22 2007
I'm diggin the study guys! I have been waiting for something like this for a long time to cross my path. It is causing me to think and dig in and it goes deep too the concepts you thought you have grasped you find out you havent and i like that this bridges the gap for me. I do have a question about #6 what did you guys come up with because in a way just their very being reflects God's glory because they have been etched into God's design but in a way no because if they dont believe they cant enjoy God so someone shed some light on it for me because i need some insight on that. Much love
Shaunta
shaunta
– Aug 22 2007
1. Make Jesus your Lord and Savior.
I agree with this not being accurate only because of the word Make. Jesus is your Savior and he died for you regardless of whether you believe it or not. Let God be true, but every man a liar Roman 3:4.
2. Ask Jesus into your heart.
I do agree that Jesus comes into our hearts. However, you have to let Him in, He will not break in (Behold I stand at the door and knockRev. 3:20). Naturally, if you tell a person to allow Christ in the heart, you have to tell them how (i.e. confess with your mouthbelieve in your heart Romans 10:9)
3. Just believe in Jesus.
I agree with this one not being completely accurate because of the word Just. There is more to it as it pertains to your Christian life. However, throughout life you will find that during many of lifes circumstances you may find yourself Just believing in Jesus when everything (and everyone) else has failed you (Joshua 1:5)
4. You have a God-shaped hole in your heart and only Jesus can fill it.
This may be used depending on the age group of the people it refers to. I taught Toddler age Sunday school and this would be something I would use for them. I could see this being coupled with cutting a hole in a piece of paper and making the shape to fill it. Write Jesus on it and explain it to them. Like I said it depends on the age group. This could really work as a good visual for 4-5 year olds. No Doubt.
I became all things to all men that I might by all means save some I Corinth. 9:22
5. Accept Jesus.
This is kind of along the lines of Allow Christ into you heart/life. In all honesty like I said before, He is not going to knock down the door, YOU have to open it. Obviously, we strive for His acceptance not the other way around.
6. Make a decision for Jesus.
Im not quite sure I understand this one at all.???
7. It is easy to believe.
I definitely dont agree with this one. There is an old saying (dont know if its Biblical or not) that says, If it were easy, everyone would do it. There are still more souls to be saved.
8. God loves you and has a wonderful plan for your life.
In essence I do agree. Although the Bible tells us that offenses must comeMat 18:7 and many are the affiliations of the righteousPsalm 34:19, it also says things like BUT the Lord delivers him out of them all Psalm 34:19 and all things work together for the good of them that love the LordRom. 8:28. I can understand someone not rejoicing over the fact that they are promised trials and tribulations, however, when you know that you have the victory in Jesus name, even BEFORE you ever fight, COME ON, that is reason for celebration. I know Im glad. Plus, to know that even though things wont always go as I thought, it will still work out for my good as long as I am in covenant connection with the Lord. Thank you, Jesus.
9. Come to Jesus just as you are.
I believe this is important in the sense that I have heard so many people say I cant get saved until I get myself together. When the reality is, YOU cant get YOURSELF together. I think we try too many times to fix things in our lives when we need to just lay them at the feet of the Lord.
10. Come to Jesus and you will receive forgiveness of sins and __________. (fill in the blank with money, health, a healed marriage).
I dont know about this one. However, God does have many promises in the Bible so you better fill the blank with one of them and be able to show me the reference.
11. Come to Jesus and experience love, joy, peace.
I dont see anything wrong with letting a person know what the benefits of salvation are. It is still key to let them know that they must seek FIRST the Kingdom of God and His righteousness and then they get their things Matt 6:33. David said bless the Lord oh my soul, and forget NOT all his BENEFITS.Psalm 103. Dont forget.
12. Jesus is the missing piece.
Never heard this one. Definitely off.
13. Jesus is better than fame and fortune.
Frankly, Jesus is better than ______. Just pick anything you want to put in the blank. Sometimes depending on who you are witnessing to (and what they value) you can fill in the blank to help them understand. However, I wouldnt go so far as to say it is insulting. I have actually felt like the words I use during my praise and worship (ex. Hallelujah, wonderful, magnificentetc) dont seem worthy enough. I know they say Hallelujah is the highest praise but sometimes I feel like it is still not enough to express the true magnitude of what a privilege it is the worship the true and living God. I dont really think there are any words that would fit to be compared to Him. However, we have to use what we got OR make up some (I am down for Hallemagniwonderexcellacious God!).
Ashanti
– Aug 27 2007
The previous comment was actually for another posting. I apologize for any confusion. My comments on this one are forthc oming. Thanks
Ashanti
– Aug 27 2007
Just wanna thank y'all for doing something like this!!! God is making things happen trough 116 Clique!! I hope this is gonna be continued. Praying for the total 116 Clique. God Bless
Pieter
– Aug 29 2007
Thx for the studies!!! I've been ready 'em all day long! I've learned a lot about things I thought I knew...May God richly bless u guys, for the help and support u give to the people. Thx for bein' real in Christ!!! I live in France and I wish u guys could come over for a program...GOD BLESS!
Cindy
– Sep 18 2007
i go to college at capital university in columbus, oh and you guys make it so easy for me to beable to reach peers because of your music, me and a friend preach the WORD to many on campus and i would like you to know that were praying for you to keep up Glorifying Christ and pray for us that Jesus will keep walking with us spreading his grace and making new CHRISTIAN SOLDIERS.
LOVE in CHRIST,
josh tinkham
josh tinkham
– Sep 23 2007
This study is simply amazing, thanks crae. My teacher is a muslim and in the past Ive shown my love for Hip Hop, and alongside my love for Christ due to the fact that shes a hip hop head (dopest english teacher ever) and she reallya dmires my passion, but doesnt see the point in Christianity. This very study showed me I can live in his glory, and she can see that in my life. Plus that Scripture from psalms was simply put, dope. Memorized and cant get enough. Keep em coming
Corey Hensley
– Sep 27 2007
God Bless you for your music and your help being a light in the dark of the world. To all my brother and sisters, regardless of life never look down, look up. Glory to GOD
timothy hamilton
– Sep 30 2007
thanx 4 puttin' tha meanin' 2 that question about tha purpose of man i been tryna find that answer 4 2 dayz thanx reach! HOLLA!
yung gurl
– Oct 18 2007
thanks for these studies these have been questions that have been on my mind for a while so again thanks and may god bless you
suHijo
– Apr 13 2008
Please write a book, I will help you..Your blog NEEDS to be in PRINT!!!!!! It would help SO MANY people that way.I read your blogs and cry, blseesd to have had the wonderful opportunity to get to know you, but the HUGE blessing of getting to see and hold and photograph your angel. Oh, I must tell you that I have been changed. She took a part of my heart on September 30th and in its place, she left a little piece of Heaven.Looking forward to seeing you guys.HIS,Denise
Kim
– Sep 19 2012