"What is the purpose of life?" It's an age-old question asked by every culture and religion. How does Christianity answer it?
Talking Points:
- If humans are simply evolved animals who exist by chance, life has no objective meaning, but only a belief in meaning that a person or group chooses to adopt to give themselves a sense of purpose. (This is called absurdism.)
- The Christian response is that the purpose of human existence is to glorify God and enjoy him (the Westminster Confession of Faith). This is where we find our true meaning and our true freedom.
- Consistent atheists may give themselves a sense of meaning by doing good things, being generous, or helping others, but it does not change the fact that if this life is all there is and the universe itself will one day die out, then nothing any of us does really matters in the grand scheme of things.
Discussion:
- Initial reactions to this topic? What jumped out at you?
- What sorts of things do you find purposeful or meaningful in your life?
- What do you think is the purpose of life? Why?
- Do you agree that without God life is objectively meaningless? Explain.
- Read 1 Corinthians 15:17-20. How do you think a relationship with God gives us both objective and subjective purpose?
- Is there a step you need to take based on today’s topic?
