The Ultimate Question

Passage of the Week:

Rom. 8.28,29 And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. 29 For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the first-born among many brethren... (NASB)

Thought of the Week:

When I query my students about what they think is the ultimate question, their answers always correspond to one of the seven most important worldview questions of all time. (I’ve listed all seven “ultimate questions” below.) But most people are interested in The Question of Teleology: “What is the purpose and meaning of life?” The hearts of countless people in our world hunger to know what the apostle Paul summed up for us in two verses: God has a purpose for us, and it involves growing into a suitable sibling for His Son! Romans 8.28 and 29 are just the tip of the revelation about our purpose, of course, but my point here is that we have a sense of purpose and destiny that most of the people around us hunger for! Our young students most certainly yearn for that sense of purpose as they grow into their teens. Let’s watch for opportunities to affirm that things happen for a reason and that there is a plan for our lives!

Great News of the Week:

Paul told the Athenians, in Acts 17.26 and 27, that God determined the exact place where everyone should live, knowing the most advantageous place in which any given individual can find Him! It’s no accident that your students live in Pierce County. It’s no accident that you teach in the school that you do. God has a purpose and a plan for guiding you into this very teaching job!

The Seven Ultimate Questions

Ontology: What is the nature of existence and being?
Theology: What is God’s nature and character?
Ethics: What is right and what is wrong?
Teleology: What is the purpose and meaning of life?
Epistemology: Is the universe rational, and if so, what forms of knowledge are reliable?
History: Why is there evil in the world and what is the origin of competing religious explanations?
Happiness: What is the path to greatest fulfillment?

Praying that you’ll have a great week at school!