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Starting a Purpose Reading Group

A creative way to discover more about purpose is to start a "Purpose Reading Group." The purpose of the group is to enjoy exploring The Power of Purpose and the pleasure of each other's company. The book serves as a catalyst for thoughtful inquiry and dialogue on purpose.

To start a group, ask four other people to join you. Try to enlist people with one or more of the following qualifications: they are interested in exploring the topic of purpose; you feel comfortable talking openly with them; they will agree to meet with you on a regular basis; they will read the book and answer selected questions before each meeting; and they feel comfortable with dialogue.

The Purpose Reading Group is patterned after a group that Benjamin Franklin established in 1727. His group, called the Junto, met every Friday night in a room over a tavern in Philadelphia. Franklin claimed the club was "the best School of Philosophy, Morals and Politics that then existed in the Province..."Every meeting was opened with a set of "queries" (both pious and practical) with a pause between each while one might fill and sip a glass of wine. The Junto endured 30 years; Franklin even thought of making it international.

Facilitating a Purpose Reading Group

Purpose Reading Group meetings can be held around breakfast, lunch, after work, or anytime that people can commit to two hours of discussion. Some process suggestions include:

• Ask the people you know or see regularly-friends from work, the neighborhood, community group, or family-to join your group.
• Meet twice a month for two months.
• Have at least five participants.
• Meet for a designated length of time (two hours).
• Designate a leader for each meeting to help the flow of discussion.
• Have a specific assignment before each session.

Following a Four Session Flow

Session one: The Purpose of Purpose
Read:		The Introduction and Section I, pp. iv-34
Do:		Before the session, answer the questions on: page V: "If you could live your life over again, you would...?" page 6: "Look ahead. How old do you think you'll live to be?" page 21: "My calling in life is..."
Discuss:		Decide on group leaders/expectations. Group introductions Read the quote on page 5 aloud and discuss it Discuss the three pre-session questions (above)
Session two: Living on Purpose
Read:		Section II, pages 35-64
Do:		Before the session answer the questions on: page 39: "Why do I get up on Monday morning?" page 51: "An Aliveness Questionnaire"
Discuss:		Read the quote on page 40 aloud and discuss it. Discuss the Purpose Spiral on p. 42: Which chamber do you see yourself in? What is your core question? Discuss the Aliveness Questionnaire on p. 51: Do you feel "the rapture of being alive"?
Session three: Working on Purpose
Read:		Section III, pages 65-89
Do:		Before the session answer the questions on: page 66: "What are your expectations of work?" page 66: "Is work something to be suffered through and endured?" page 66: "Or is work synonymous with a calling?" pages 77-78: "A Working on Purpose Questionnaire"
Discuss:		Read the quote on page 67 aloud and discuss it. Discuss A Working on Purpose Questionnaire on pages 77-78 Do you feel the "power of purpose" at work?
Session four: The Path to Purpose
Read:		Section IV, pages 90-120
Do:		Review the eight "multiple intelligences" on pages 98-100 Rank order yourself from 1 to 8, based on what you perceive your natural strengths to be (1 is highest, 8 is lowest). Think of an example of a talent which would fit in your #1 area Review the nine "passion" questions on pages 103-104
Discuss:		Read aloud the quote on page 87 and discuss it. Discuss the eight "multiple intelligences on pages 98-100: Compare the tope three choices of each group member. Discuss the nine "passion" questions on pages 103-104: Compare responses to the question "What moves you?" Have each member summarize their purpose journey (5 minutes)