
I Thought That God Had One Perfect Path for My Life
Main Point: Following God is less about finding that one perfect path and more about becoming the person he wants us to be on the path that we’re on.
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord , “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” —Jeremiah 29:11
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. —Proverbs 3:5-6
Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. Do not quench the Spirit. Do not treat prophecies with contempt but test them all; hold on to what is good, reject every kind of evil. May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it. —1 Thessalonians 5:16-24
Be a person of prayer. ”…pray continually…”
Give thanks for where you are right now. “Rejoice always…give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
Don’t embrace what you know is wrong. ”Do not quench the Spirit…reject every kind of evil. May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Be obedient to what you already know. “…hold on to what is good…”
“I do not get to know God and then do His will. I get to know Him more deeply by doing His will.” —Phillip Yancey
- Put your trust in God’s faithfulness. ”The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it.”
Takeaway: Do the next right thing and trust God with the outcome.
Discussion Questions
- In Jeremiah 29:11, God talks about His plans for us. How do you reconcile the idea of God’s plans with the concept that there might not be one “perfect” path for our lives?
- The quote from Phillip Yancey suggests that we get to know God more deeply by doing His will. Can you share an experience from your life where you felt a deeper connection with God through obedience?
- Do you believe that there is room for personal choice and decision-making in following God’s path, or do you think it’s entirely predetermined? Why or why not?
Table Discussion Question: This week’s takeaway was: “Do the next right thing and trust God with the outcome,” be applied in your everyday life? Can you think of a specific situation where this principle might be particularly relevant?