59 pages • 1 hour read
Rick WarrenThe Purpose Driven Life: What on Earth Am I Here for?
Nonfiction | Book | Adult | Published in 2002A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Part 6Chapter Summaries & Analyses
Part 6: “Purpose #5: You Were Made for a Mission”
Part 6, Day 36 Summary: “Made for a Mission”
Every individual is said to have a unique mission, a divine purpose to fulfill in the world. This mission involves both a general duty shared by all Christians and a specific, individual calling. The general mission is to continue Christ’s work on Earth, primarily through introducing people to God, as highlighted in the Great Commission from Jesus: “Go to the people of all nations and make them my disciples” (281).
Fulfilling this mission is considered a crucial aspect of living for God’s glory and is both a significant responsibility and a privilege. The author describes it as an honor to be used by God for this purpose, and fulfilling the mission gives one’s life eternal significance, impacting the eternal destiny of others. Warren also stresses urgency in carrying out this mission, with the reminder that time is limited to reach others with the message of salvation. The mission is not limited to those in full-time ministry; it is the responsibility of every believer, regardless of their day-to-day occupation or stage in life.
Failing to fulfill this God-given mission is equated with wasting the life God has given. Individuals are encouraged to actively seek those in their life to whom they can communicate the message of God’s kindness and love. The mission is not just about living a good life but about making an eternal difference in the lives of others.
Part 6, Day 37 Summary: “Sharing Your Life Message”
The author argues that the message each person shares is unique, shaped by their own experiences, and can have an impact on others. This sharing is framed as a key aspect of a Christian’s mission in the world. The concept is supported by various scriptural references emphasizing the significance of personal testimony in faith. For instance, 1 Peter 2:9 (MSG) highlights the role of believers in proclaiming the greatness of God, while Acts 1:8 (NIV) discusses the empowerment of believers by the Holy Spirit to be witnesses.
Acts 22-26 are also referenced, which cover Paul’s testimony about his conversion and ministry. This serves as an example of how personal experiences and transformations can be powerful tools in sharing one’s faith. Further, 1 Peter 3:15-16 (TEV) underscores the need to be ready to explain one’s faith to others with gentleness and respect, emphasizing the importance of both the content and manner of sharing.
Part 6, Day 38 Summary: “Becoming a World-Class Christian”
The transformation from being self-centered to being world-centered in one’s Christian faith is discussed. This transformation involves developing a broader, more inclusive perspective that goes beyond personal or local church concerns to encompass global issues. It encourages embracing a vision in line with God’s love for the world, as depicted in John 3:16, and recognizing the diversity of God’s creation and people, as suggested in Revelation 7:9.
This shift in perspective involves understanding the global context in which one’s faith operates, as indicated by Acts 17:26-27, and adopting a mindset that prioritizes the spiritual needs of others worldwide. It also involves recognizing the interconnectedness of believers globally, aligning with Christ’s prayer for all believers in John 17:20. Key to this transformation is the pursuit of spiritual maturity and understanding and cultivating an attitude of service and selflessness. The author emphasizes the importance of prayer in seeking wisdom and guidance for this global mission.
Part 6, Day 39 Summary: “Balancing Your Life”
The concept of balance is emphasized as essential for a well-rounded and effective Christian life. It involves regular self-examination and accountability, as suggested by scriptures like Lamentations 3:40 and 1 Corinthians 11:28, which encourage self-reflection and introspection. Warren advocates for a balanced approach to spiritual growth, ensuring that personal faith does not become stagnant or one-dimensional. This emphasizes the importance of nurturing and encouraging others in their spiritual journey, as indicated in 1 Thessalonians 5:11.
Furthermore, the idea of recording and remembering God’s acts in one’s life is highlighted as a means to maintain a balanced perspective on God’s work and presence. This concept is supported by Psalm 56:8, which speaks to the significance of remembering and valuing each experience.
Part 6, Day 40 Summary: “Living With Purpose”
True living, Warren argues, can only be achieved when one lives on purpose, aligning with God’s purposes. Most people are said to struggle with identity, importance, and impact, and these issues are addressed through God’s five purposes. Living with purpose is distinguished from mere existence, suggesting that without purpose, life lacks depth and meaning.
The importance of a “life purpose statement” is addressed, which is a personal affirmation of commitment to God’s purposes. This statement is not just a set of goals but a directional compass for life, providing clarity on what truly matters. The author emphasizes that goals are temporary, but purposes are eternal.
The life purpose statement involves answering life’s five “greatest” questions, which encompass worship (centering life around God), discipleship (developing Christlike character), service (contributing through ministry in the Body of Christ), mission (communicating one’s faith to others), and fellowship (engaging in community with other believers).
Individuals are encouraged to take time to craft their life purpose statement, reflecting on what they will center their life around, the character they aspire to develop, their contribution through service, and how they will communicate their faith and engage in community. The author underlines the idea that living with purpose according to God’s design is the only way to truly experience life to its fullest.
Part 6, Day 41 Summary: “The Envy Trap”
Warren next addresses the detrimental effects of envy on fulfilling God’s purpose for one’s life. He emphasizes that while God has created each person for the same five eternal purposes, the way these purposes are fulfilled is unique to each individual. Envy arises when there is a failure to appreciate this uniqueness and a desire to emulate the lives of others, leading to frustration, fatigue, and failure. Four harmful effects of envy are outlined:
- Denial of uniqueness: Envy blinds individuals to their unique qualities and God-given shape, causing them to overlook their own value and purpose.
- Division of attention: Envy distracts from focusing on personal growth and fulfilling God’s plan, leading to a divided attention between one’s path and that of others.
- Misuse of time and energy: Envy is often the root cause of overworking and pursuing success for the wrong reasons, resulting in dissatisfaction and a lack of fulfillment.
- Enemy of contentment and catalyst for other sins: Envy fosters a constant desire for more, leading to discontentment and possibly other sins like lying, stealing, or even more severe actions.
The author offers guidance on how to eradicate envy, suggesting that recognizing and appreciating one’s unique God-given attributes and purpose is crucial in overcoming this destructive emotion. Envy not only hampers personal spiritual growth but also has broader, negative societal impacts.
Part 6, Day 42 Summary: “The People-Pleaser Trap”
The challenges and pitfalls of seeking approval and validation from others rather than from God are discussed. Warren suggests that living to please people can be a significant obstacle to fulfilling one’s God-given purpose. Various scriptures are referenced to underscore the importance of prioritizing God’s approval over human approval. For instance, Romans 15:1 and 14:7 emphasize the importance of living for Christ and not just for oneself. Proverbs 29:25 highlights the danger of being a people-pleaser, stating that fear of people proves to be a snare, but trusting in the Lord leads to safety. Similarly, 1 Thessalonians 2:4 reminds that pleasing God, who tests the heart, is more crucial than pleasing people.
John 5:44 and Galatians 1:10 reinforce the idea that seeking glory from people rather than from God is fundamentally misguided. It is stressed that the ultimate accountability is to God, as Romans 14:12 indicates that each of us will give an account of ourselves to God.
Part 6 Analysis
The message in this section is that every Christian is called to a specific mission, which fundamentally involves evangelism and spreading God’s message. Warren posits that this mission is not just the responsibility of clergy or missionaries, but of every individual believer. It is suggested that part of a Christian’s purpose is to share their faith and God’s love with others, an idea deeply rooted in evangelical Christian teachings about the Great Commission––Christ’s command to his followers to spread his teachings to all nations of the world.
This mission-focused perspective is underpinned by a theological framework that sees evangelism and disciple-making as central to Christian life. It’s an extension of the belief in a personal, transformational relationship with God that not only changes the individual believer but also compels them to engage in sharing this transformation with others. Warren integrates this idea with the broader themes of the book, suggesting that understanding and living out one’s divine purpose involves active participation in God’s global mission.
The emphasis on a personal mission aligns with evangelical Christianity’s broader focus on personal faith expression and the responsibility of each believer to contribute to spreading the Christian faith. This approach is reflective of a specific interpretation within Christian theology, which places significant emphasis on individual involvement in evangelism as an expression of one’s faith and commitment to God’s plan. In this context, Warren’s narrative encourages the perception of everyday life and interactions as opportunities to fulfill this mission, suggesting that every aspect of one’s life can be oriented toward this purpose. This perspective differs from the traditional view of missionary work as solely the domain of specialized religious workers, instead framing it as a fundamental aspect of every Christian’s identity and purpose.
Warren’s encouragement to adopt a global perspective in faith reflects a call to extend one’s concern and understanding of Christianity beyond personal, local, or cultural boundaries. This theme is about embracing a vision that aligns with what Warren sees as the expansive nature of God’s love, which encompasses all people and nations. This perspective involves recognizing and valuing the diversity of cultures, languages, and traditions that make up the global Christian community. It also implies a responsibility to address broader issues affecting humanity, such as poverty, injustice, and conflict, reflecting the Christian mandate to love and serve not only those in one’s immediate vicinity but also people all around the world. It is argued that this global perspective provides a sense of solidarity and interconnectedness among believers worldwide.
Lastly, the exploration of envy and the pursuit of approval from others suggests how these attitudes can be detrimental to living out one’s God-given purpose. Envy, as portrayed by Warren, can blind individuals to the unique gifts and calling they have received, leading to dissatisfaction and a lack of fulfillment. It diverts focus from personal growth and service to God, causing individuals to covet others’ lives or achievements. Similarly, the desire to please people is seen by Warren as a significant obstacle in fulfilling one’s divine mission. This theme suggests that seeking human approval can lead to compromising one’s values or diverting from one’s path, as it places more emphasis on human judgment rather than divine approval. These attitudes are depicted as traps that can hinder spiritual growth and the effective realization of one’s mission, suggesting that a focus on God’s purpose for one’s life and seeking His approval should be paramount.
