Would you like to Choices impact our lives. Have you thought about them? Consider the following three principles: 1) We become what we think. 2) We become what we believe. 3) We become what we decide. These three timeless principles are active in our lives from the moment we understand right and wrong. God has a plan for your life, but it depends on the choice you make. God s Design Your Choice presents God s options and how you can incorporate them in daily living. The Christian Life series comprises 18 courses divided into three units of six courses each. God s Design Your Choice is Course 1 in Unit 3. CL1310 www.globalreach.org PN 06.11 L1310E-90 ISBN 978-0-7617-1350-0 God s Design Your Choice FIND G O D S D E S I G N F O R Y O U R L I F E? KNOW W H AT G O D WA N T S Y O U T O D O? LIVE A C C O R D I N G T O G O D S D E S I G N? God s Design Your Choice Christian Life Series
God s Design Your Choice sixth edition by J. Lowell Harrup S p r i n g f i e l d, M i s s o u r i
Address of the Global University office in your area: Developed in cooperation with Global University staff. School for Evangelism and Discipleship Global University 1211 South Glenstone Springfield, MO 65804 USA 1981, 1998, 2009 Global University All rights reserved. First edition 1981. Sixth edition 2009 Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture is taken from the Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. All rights reserved throughout the world. Used by permission of International Bible Society. PN 06.11 ISBN 978-0-7617-1350-0 www.globaluniversity.edu www.globalreach.org Printed in the United States of America by Gospel Publishing House, Springfield, Missouri
Table of Contents Preface...5 THE CHRISTIAN LIFE SERIES... 7 Before You Begin... 8 Unit one 1 Does God Really Have a Design?...16 2 Will God Tell Me What to Do Next?...30 3 Does God Expect Too Much?...44 4 Am I Missing God s Design?...58 Unit Two 5 Is Being a Christian Enough?...72 6 How Can God Speak to Me?...86 7 Did Jesus Know God s Design?...102 8 How Do I Approach The Future?... 114 Unit Evaluations Unit One...125 Unit Two...131 Final Words...137
Christian Life Series Your New Life Your Bible Who Jesus Is The Church Personal Evangelism Bible Ethics When You Pray How to Study the Bible Your Helpful Friend Christian Worship Christian Workers Marriage and the Home God s Design Your Choice John s Gospel We Believe What Churches Do The Teaching Ministry The Christian in His Community
I n t r o d u c t i o n 5 Preface Have you ever wondered what God s design is for your life? Perhaps you are a new believer, or maybe you have been a Christian for several years. Nevertheless, as you have continued to follow the Lord, it is possible that you have found questions like these arising in your mind: Now that I am a Christian, what does God want me to do next? How will He tell me about it? When I find out what He wants me to do, how do I begin doing it? When difficulties and troubles come, does this mean that I have missed His design? What about the future? Will He show me anything about it? How should I respond to what He reveals? This course is designed to help you find answers to these questions. As you study each lesson, you will find out more about God s design for you and how you can choose to follow it. You will discover that you are already part of His design.
6 G o d s D e s i g n - Yo u r C h o i c e
I n t r o d u c t i o n 7 THE CHRISTIAN LIFE SERIES God s Design Your Choice is one of 18 courses in this practical discipleship program for new believers. The Christian Life Series is a study to help students grow in their relationship with Christ, interact with the Word of God, and better understand God s purposes for their life. Students will study basic Christian topics under six reoccurring themes. The courses are conversational in style and easy to read. The following chart illustrates how the units of study are organized for the Christian Life Series. Spiritual Life Unit 1 Unit 2 Unit 3 Your New Life When You Pray The Bible Your Bible How to Study the Bible Theology The Church Service Christian Ethics Who Jesus Is The Church Personal Evangelism Bible Ethics Your Helpful Friend Christian Worship Christian Workers Marriage and the Home God s Design, Your Choice John s Gospel We Believe What Churches Do The Teaching Ministry The Christian in His Community
8 G o d s D e s i g n - Yo u r C h o i c e Before You Begin
I n t r o d u c t i o n 9
10 G o d s D e s i g n - Yo u r C h o i c e
I n t r o d u c t i o n 11
12 G o d s D e s i g n - Yo u r C h o i c e About the Author Reverend J. Lowell Harrup has served as a pastor for many years in Alexandria, VA, Brussels, Belgium, and Kansas City, Missouri. He is a graduate of Southeastern College of the Assemblies of God in Lakeland, Florida. Reverend Harrup has had an extensive preaching ministry in family camps, ministers meetings, and leadership seminars. He has also ministered to young people in secondary and university schools. He brings to the writing of this course insights gained from years of experience in studying the Word of God and in counseling people of a variety of ages and backgrounds. God bless you as you begin to study God s Design Your Choice. May your heart be opened to the truths in God s Word.
I n t r o d u c t i o n 13
1Unit
Lessons 1 Does God Really Have a Design? 2 Will God Tell Me What to Do Next? 3 Does God Expect Too Much? 4 Am I Missing God s Design?