06.02.T01-RS — Reflections on Feature Stories about Purpose, Direction and Vision

Instructions

Reflect on the experiences of Joy Nyabongo and her husband, Lydia and Sebastian, and Priscilla and Aquila. Consider what these accounts reveal about purpose, direction and vision in marriage preparation.

Part A: Lessons from Joy Nyabongo and Her Husband

1. What does the couple's shared commitment to their children's education teach about the power of a common vision?

2. How did a shared purpose help the couple remain united during difficult seasons?

3. What evidence shows that their daily decisions were guided by purpose rather than circumstances?

4. How did their vision influence the way they used their finances, time and effort?

5. What does their response to illness, financial pressure and professional setbacks teach about maintaining direction?

6. Which lesson from their experience would strengthen a marriage relationship today?

The chapter presents purpose, direction and vision as practical guides for decision-making, priorities and perseverance.

Part B: Lessons from Lydia and Sebastian

7. At what point did you begin to see a conflict between Lydia's purpose and Sebastian's purpose?

8. What did Sebastian's desire to relocate to the United States reveal about his true priorities?

9. How did the differences in vision between Lydia and Sebastian undermine their relationship?

10. What evidence suggested that Sebastian's vision lacked realism and practical planning?

11. How did Sebastian's response to Lydia's concerns reveal weaknesses in his direction and decision-making?

12. What warning does this story offer about assuming that affection alone is enough for marriage?

13. Looking back, which signs of incompatibility in purpose, direction and vision should Lydia have paid closer attention to?

The relationship deteriorated because the couple were pursuing different destinations, priorities and futures.

Part C: Lessons from Priscilla and Aquila

14. What evidence suggests that Priscilla and Aquila shared a common purpose?

15. How did their direction support the fulfilment of their purpose?

16. What does their willingness to relocate and adapt teach about purpose-driven decision-making?

17. How did their work, ministry and daily activities reinforce their shared direction?

18. What does their vision reveal about building something that extends beyond personal interests?

19. Which aspect of Priscilla and Aquila's purpose, direction or vision impresses you most? Why?

The account of Priscilla and Aquila demonstrates a marriage organised around a shared purpose, deliberate direction and a clear vision.

Part D: Recognising Purpose, Direction and Vision

20. What differences do you observe between people who have a clear purpose and those who simply react to circumstances?

21. What differences do you observe between a realistic vision and a fantasy-driven vision?

22. What signs from the stories revealed that a person's daily habits were aligned with his or her direction?

23. What signs revealed a lack of direction despite ambitious talk about the future?

24. What have these stories taught you about the relationship between purpose, direction and decision-making?

25. What have these stories taught you about the importance of discussing the future before marriage?

Part E: Evaluating a Prospective Partner

26. Based on these stories, what evidence would convince you that a prospective partner has a clear personal purpose?

27. What evidence would convince you that a prospective partner's daily habits support his or her stated direction?

28. What evidence would convince you that a prospective partner's vision is realistic and actionable?

29. Which warning signs would make you question a prospective partner's purpose, direction or vision?

30. What have these stories taught you about the danger of ignoring major differences in purpose, direction and vision?

These questions are drawn directly from the chapter's eight evaluation areas for assessing a prospective partner's purpose, direction and vision.

Part F: Reflecting on My Own Life

31. Which lesson about purpose challenged me most?

32. Which lesson about direction challenged me most?

33. Which lesson about vision challenged me most?

34. In what ways do my current priorities reflect my purpose, direction and vision?

35. In what ways do my current priorities conflict with my purpose, direction or vision?

36. Which lesson from this chapter do I most need to apply in my own life?

Before I Move On

37. Complete the statement below.

The clearest sign that a person has a genuine sense of purpose is ____________________________________________________________.

38. Complete the statement below.

The most important lesson I learned from Lydia and Sebastian's relationship is ____________________________________________________________.

39. Complete the statement below.

The aspect of Priscilla and Aquila's example that I would most like to emulate is ____________________________________________________________.

40. Complete the statement below.

After studying this chapter, I now understand that purpose, direction and vision are important because ____________________________________________________________.