Preston Vineyard

‘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.’ (Rom 8:28)

God gives us skills and abilities in many areas. Also, all life’s experiences—good and bad—can work together for the good. God takes them and forms us. What God makes you to BE determines what He intends you to DO. I will understand the purpose I was created for when I understand the kind of person I am. God is consistent in his plan for each of our lives. He would not give us inborn talents and temperaments, spiritual gifts, and all sorts of life experiences and then not use them the unique way God intends for us to serve him.

We will focus on Five Personal Factors that have combined to shape the ‘real’ you, to help you identify what God wants you to do.

That you will discover and confirm the unique gifts and abilities God has given you to enable you to identify where you can serve in the life of the church.

‘I am not who I think I am, I am not who you think I am; I am who God says I am.”

‘For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.’ Eph. 2:10

‘It is he who savedus and chose us for holy work, not because we deserved it but because that was his plan long before the world began.’ 2 Tim 1:9

‘God, in his grace, chose me even before I was born, and called me to serve him.’ Gal 1:5

‘God has given each of you some special abilities; be sure to use them to help each other, passing on to others God’s many kinds of blessing.’

‘Jesus said, “All authority in heaven and earth has been given to me. Therefore, go and make disciples…’ Matt 28:18-19

‘Jesus said, “Your attitude must be like my own, for I, the Messiah, did not come to be served but to serve…” Matt 20:28

‘God gave pastors and teachers to prepare God’s people for works of ministry, so that the Body of Christ may be built up…’ Eph 4:11-12

‘All of you together are the body of Christ and each of you is a separate and necessary part of it.’ IICor. 12:27

‘Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward.’ Col 3:23,24

What the Bible says about Ministry.

We Minister in 3 Directions

o To _________________ (Acts 13:2)

o To __________________ (Heb 6:10)

o To _________________ (Matt 5:13)

We Minister to 3 Areas of Need

o To people’s ______________ needs.

‘(God says) I was hungry and you fed me…thirsty and you gave me a drink…needed clothes and you clothed me…sick and you cared for me….in prison and you visited me…Whenever you have done this to the least person, you did it to me.’ Matt 24:35-36

o To people’s ______________ needs.

‘…Warn the idle, encourage the timid, help the weak, be patient with all.’ Thess 5:14

o To people’s _____________ needs.

‘…God reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation.’ 2 Cor 5:18

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The Procedure: How to Discover My Ministry

(Romans 12:1-8)

Step 1: Dedicate ____________________________________

“I urge you…to offer yourselves as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—which is your spiritual worship.’ (vs 1)

Step 2: Eliminate ___________________________________

“Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” (vs 2)

Step 3: Evaluate ________________________________

“Don’t cherish exaggerated ideas of yourself or your importance, but try to have a sane estimation of your capabilities by the light of the faith God has given to you.” (vs 3)

Step 4: Co-operate _________________________________

“Just as each one of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we who are many form one Body, and each member belongs to all the others.” (vs 4-5)

Step 5: Activate ___________________________________

“We have different gifts, according to the grace God has given us…prophecy…serving…teaching…encouraging…contribution… leadership…showing mercy…” (vs 6-8)

o Every member is a minister in Christ’s body

o Every member has a different function

o Every member’s ministry is important

o Every member belongs to the others

C.F. 1 Cor 12 – Paul’s anatomy session!

How Has God Shaped Me?

God has been moulding and shaping you for ministry since you were born. In fact, God started uniquely shaping you even before you were born!

“Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! It is amazing to think about. Your workmanship is marvellous…You were there while I was being formed…You saw me before I was born and scheduled each day of my life before I began to breathe.” Psalm 139:14-16

“What right do you have, a human-being, to cross examine God? The pot has no right to say to the potter: ‘why did you make me this shape?’ A potter can make what he likes with the clay!” Rom 9:20-21

In Ministry…Function Follows Form!

Ministry is Determined by Several Factors

“There are different kinds of Spiritual Gifts but the same Spirit gives them. There are different ways of serving, but the same Lord is served. There are different abilities to perform service, but the same God gives ability to everyone for their service. The Spirit’s presence is shown in some way in each one, for the good of all.” 1 Cor 12:4-7

My S.H.A.P.E Will Determine My Ministry

What am I gifted to do?

S_________________

“…Each man has his own gift from God; one has this gift, another has that.” 1 Cor 7:7b

What do I love to do?

H_________________

“For it is God who works in you, inspiring both the will and the deed, for his own chosen purpose” Phil 2:13

What natural talents and skills do I have?

A__________________

“I (God)…have given him skill, abilitiy, and knowledge in all kinds of crafts…” Exodus 31:3

Where should a person like me serve?

P___________________

“No one really knows what anyone else is thinking or what he is really like except that person himself.” 1 Cor 2:11

This is your life?

E____________________

“There has been enough time for you to be teachers—BUT you still need to be taught….(you are) without any experience in the matter of right and wrong” Heb 5:12

“God helps us in our troubles, so that we are able to help others who have all kinds of troubles, using the same help that we ourselves have received from God.” 2 Cor 1:4

Your ministry will be most effective and fulfilling when you are using your GIFTS and ABILITIES in the area of HEART’S DESIRE in a way that best expresses your PERSONALITY and EXPERIENCE.

It is easier to do what we are called to do than to do something else.

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How Paul’s Ministry Was “SHAPED”

Paul’s Spiritual Gifts

“And of this gospel I was appointed a preacher and an apostle and a teacher. 2 Tim 1:11

“And when I came to you…I did not come with superiority of speech or of wisdom.” 1 Cor 2:1

Paul’s Heart

“My constant ambition has been to preach the gospel where the name of Christ was previously unknown, and to avoid building on another man’s foundation.” Rom 15:20

Paul’s Ability

“…Paul went to see them, and stayed and worked with them because he earned his living by making tents, just as they did. He debated in the synagogues every Sabbath, trying to convince both Jews and Gentiles.” Acts 18:2b-4)

“I received my training at the feet of Gamaliel, and I was schooled in the strictest observance of our father’s Law.” Acts 22:3

Paul’s Personality

“For you have heard of my past…I persecuted the church with fanatical zeal…and did my best to destroy it…I was ahead of most of my contemporaries in the Jewish religion, and had a boundless enthusiasm.” Gal 1:13-14

Paul’s Experiences

The Good – Conversion on the Damascus Road (Acts 9:1-20)

3 Years maturing in Arabia (Gal 1:18)

Special vision from God (2 Cor 12:7)

The Bad - Prison etc (2 Cor 11:23-27)

‘Thorn in the flesh (2 Cor 12:7)

And the Ugly - Watching Stephen being stoned (Acts 8:1)

Identifying My Unique S.H.A.P.E

We’ve prepared and adapted several tools to help you discover and think through the five factors that make up who you are.

Remember:

1. Have fun! These are not ‘tests’! there are no right or wrong answers. The purpose is to show how you are a unique blend!

2. Each one is self-evaluating. No one is ‘rating’ you on this. We’re interested in your feelings, not others’. However, it may be helpful to ask for additional input from those closest to you after you’ve filled in your own response.

3. The value of each of these tools will varing depending on your age, how long you’ve been a Christian, your background, your honesty, and how much time and serious thinking you’re willing too invest in them!

Later as You Complete Each Tool, Transfer Your Results to the Form Called ‘My Ministry Profile’

Spiritual Gifts

Unwrapping My Gifts

The Bible does not lock us into tight restrictions as to the number of spiritual gifts, or even their definitions. The four major lists of gifts are found in Romans 12:3-8; 1 Cor. 12:1-11, 27, 31; Eph 4:11-12, 1 Peter 4:9-11, but there are other passages that mention or illustrate gifts not included in these lists.

All gifts are given to help the church fulfil its purposes. As you read through this list check off your initial impression concerning yourself. Remember, you can have many gifts.

Preaching (‘Prophecy’) 1 Cor. 14

The ability to publicly communicate God’s Word and perfect will in an inspired way that convinces unbelievers and both challenges and comforts believers.

_ I’m pretty sure I have this gift

_ I may have this gift