Nine Principles to Develop a Mission

These nine principles create a solid foundation for building a God-honoring mission in life.

Let’s break them down:

Principle 1: The Glory of God as the Ultimate Goal

Scriptural Basis: Romans 11:36 – “For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever.”

Key Point: Everything in your life should aim at glorifying God. Any mission that does not seek to give Him glory is not worthwhile.

Principle 2: God’s Directive for Productivity and Family

Scriptural Basis: Genesis 1:28 – “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth, and subdue it...”

Key Point: God’s mission for you includes living productively, often establishing a household and contributing to God’s purposes through family and work.

Principle 3: God's Word Provides the Framework, You Determine the Details

Key Point: While God’s Word gives you overarching directives, He gives you the freedom and responsibility to determine the specific details of your life mission.

Principle 4: The Importance of Wise Counsel

Scriptural Basis: Proverbs 15:22 – “Without consultation, plans are frustrated, but with many counselors they succeed.”

Key Point: Seeking advice from godly counselors will help you avoid pitfalls and ensure your mission is rooted in wisdom.

Principle 5: Sober Self-Assessment and Goal Setting

Scriptural Basis: Luke 14:28 – “For which one of you, when he wants to build a tower, does not first sit down and calculate the cost to see if he has enough to complete it?”

Key Point: A realistic view and accurate assessment of your strengths and weaknesses is critical for setting achievable goals. Start where you are, not where you wish you were.

Principle 6: Maintaining Your “Axe”

Scriptural Basis: Ecclesiastes 10:10 – “If the axe is dull and he does not sharpen its edge, then he must exert more strength.”

Key Point: Taking care of your physical, spiritual, emotional, and intellectual tools is essential. Sharpen your skills and maintain your health to be effective.

Principle 7: The Proper Sequence of Mission Stages

Scriptural Basis: Proverbs 24:27 – “Prepare your work outside and make it ready for yourself in the field; afterwards, then, build your house.”

Key Point: Life has stages, and it’s important to work through them in the proper order. Build your foundation before trying to accomplish the later stages of your mission.

Principle 8: Progress is Incremental and Uneven

Scriptural Basis: 2 Corinthians 3:18 – “And we all...are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another.”

Key Point: Growth doesn’t happen all at once. You may see progress in fits and starts, but trust that God is working incrementally to transform you.

Principle 9: Course Correction

Scriptural Basis: 2 Timothy 2:22 – “So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.”

Key Point: Your mission requires regular reassessment. What do you need to stop doing? What should you start? Adjust as needed to stay aligned with God’s will.

In conclusion...

The essence of this approach is to provide a structured, biblical framework to help men establish and refine their life mission. The focus is not only on being productive and building a household, but on constant self-assessment, maintaining readiness, seeking wise counsel, and glorifying God in every step.