View source for 2014-08-14-Life, A Means to Growth

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==Heading==
===Topic: '''''Life, A Means to Growth'''''===
===Group: [[11:11 Progress Group]]===
==Facilitators==
===Teacher: [[Prolotheos|Teacher Prolotheos]]===
===TR: [[Valdir Soares]]===
==Session==
===Lesson=== 
Prolotheos: “[[Life]] is a gift. Granted that it may well rate as an unsolicited [[gift]], it is nonetheless a precious gift from [[God]]. Animal life is totally conditioned by [[nature]], but humans, although they too are animals, are different. Humans can [[reason]] about things, and act upon circumstances to [[become]] more than just animals. Humans are given the [[opportunity]] to [[manifest]] great deeds by simply deciding [[to do the will of God]]. Accordingly, the [[value]] of human life originates in its [[divine]] source, God, and also in its nature to serve – a means to [[growth]]. 

“Firstly, let us [[focus]] on life as a means to exist, as well as means to grow in that [[existence]]. Life is a precious and loving gift from God because it offers [[survival]] in [[God’s reality]]. All that exists came to be through life, even as did those things that have no life of themselves. However, [[human being]]s, besides having existence, can certainly [[experience]] growth, and bring about [[achievements]]. [[Transcendental]] growth brings bonafide experiences to one’s existence, as experience determines the [[endurance]] of human beings in [[reality]], and the way in which to ensure continuity in God’s reality is by becoming part of His eternal realism. 

“Secondly, think of life as a means to [[attain]] [[personality]]. It is apparent that without life there is no [[chance]] for the emergence or manifestation of personality. Personality is what makes you unique in all God’s universes. Life is everywhere, but there is only one you. Not all that lives has personality, but personality is only [[bestowed]] upon life. Therefore, nobody could be a person, or a personal [[being]], without first having life. Life is the basic gift that allows some beings to [[receive]] God’s most unique and additional gift of all: [[Personality]]. Personality is so unique that it is unchangeable. You are a person, distinct from all others. 

“Thirdly, think of life as a means to [[service]]. Three ways in which life can be of service are: Serving yourself, serving your [[neighbor]], and serving [[God]]. Service to [[the self]] should be obvious; you must [[care]] for yourself, so you can serve others and God. The loving service to your neighbor is [[simultaneously]] a [[priority]], and ‘an intermediary’, for by serving your neighbor you really do also serve God, who commanded it this way, and whose will should have primacy over all. If life is meant for service, it will also serve you well; otherwise, it would be a waste of [[time]] and [[energy]]. 

“When you understand [[life]] as a means to [[existence]], to acquiring [[personality]] and to doing service, life [[becomes]] meaningful. It will make you [[grateful]] to God who gave you life and [[personality]], and it will become a reason for gratitude by others when you use your gift of life to serve your neighbors. As a result, life brings you [[satisfaction]] and [[happiness]]. 

“Life is not a [[goal]] in itself, as y[[our Master]] said: ‘For whosoever would save his life [[selfishly]], shall lose it, but whosoever loses his life for my sake and the [[gospel]]'s, shall save it.’ Life is meant to be lived for the [[purpose]] of ministry.”


[[Category: The Teaching Mission: Dialogues]]
[[Category: 11:11 Progress Group]]
[[Category: Prolotheos]]
[[Category: Valdir Soares]]
[[Category: Life]]
[[Category: 2014]]