Homework Assignment No. 1

From time to time, you will have Homework Assignments as you go through this course. I know it's not the same as taking the class live and in person, but hopefully, you will benefit from these lessons and from doing the homework. Let me tell you from personal experience that doing the homework lessons is where you will find the most value.

Start thinking about the period of your life between kindergarten and – let’s say – sixth grade. Can you remember that far back? I hope so!

I really think that during this period of your life, you were more like who God made you to be. This was before you got out into society and let them start defining who you are. This was back when you were more like “you.”

So here’s what I want you to do. I want you to think of one episode during this period of your life when you did something successfully and you felt great satisfaction when you did it. This would be a specific story you could tell me about something that you really did well. In fact, it may not have seemed hard to you, but others complimented you on it saying how well you did, and you were thinking in the back of your mind, “That? Phsssh. That was nothing. I could do that in my sleep.”

Write a sentence or two about that episode, and have it ready before you read the next lesson.

Every Day Of Your Life

Now for the last point in Lucado's outline:

Every day of your life.
(where you do it)

Man was originally created to do a job – not to do nothing! Some people are under the impression that work was a result of the curse after the Fall. But that’s not the case. Man was given the job of taking care of the Garden before the Fall. The curse was that his work would become difficult – not that he would have to work.

So why do we feel so unfulfilled in our daily lives? Many times it’s because we’re not utilizing our strengths and talents in our daily lives. And this goes beyond just your career. This is fundamental to the way you do everything in your life. If God made you a creative person, be creative in the way you parent your kids, in the way that you worship, in the way that you work. If God made you a good communicator, maximize that talent in your personal relationships, at your church, in your community and at your job.

What we have to learn is how to do what we do best, do it every day, and do it in such a way that it is not for us.

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In summary, take a look at this diagram. We’ll talk more about this concept over the rest of the course.



Do you see that spot in the center that is at the convergence of all three circles? That’s the Sweet Spot. Get one circle right, and you will still feel unfulfilled. Get two circles right, you might feel a little better. Get all three circles right, and you’ll be a shining example to the people around you of how God intended for us to live life.


Excited? Ready to get started?

Good. I can’t wait to help you discover who God made you to be and to see what God is going to do in your life!

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If you have benefited from these lessons so far, leave me a comment and let me know what you think and what you have found most interesting. Thanks!

Making A Big Deal Out Of God

Let's look at our next point in Lucado's outline:

To make a big deal out of God
(why you do it)

I believe we were created for purpose. That’s why we’re so different and have such different ways of doing things. That diversity is on purpose. If we have a Creator, then He must have had something in mind for us. I think that at its simplest and most fundamental level, our purpose is to bring glory to the One who made us.

“Everything comes from God alone. Everything lives by His power, and everything is for His glory.” -from the letter that Paul wrote to some Roman citizens

It’s not enough just to know who you are and to start using your strengths more. You must do it for a purpose. People in America are crying out for a purpose -- a reason to live their lives. That's why Rick Warren's book The Purpose-Driven Life" has been on the best-sellers list for over 3 years. Deep down, we all want to know why we are here and what life is all about.

I know several people who know what their strengths and abilities are and they are using them in their jobs or on a daily basis. But they are empty because they are doing it all for the wrong reason. It is not enough just to do what you love to do. Real fulfillment comes when you are doing what you love and you also have a purpose for doing it. Ultimately, I believe real purpose comes from doing it not for yourself or even another person. I believe real purpose comes from being who you are and doing what you were created to do for your Creator.

In a future lesson, we’ll spend some time learning what it means to “Applaud God Loud and Often.”