Forty Days Of Purpose
Week Five: Ministry
You Were Shaped For Serving God”
Introduction: (share one of the two)
1. What was (or is) your ideal trip or vacation?
2. In the story of the Good Samaritan, we meet a man whose travel plans were drastically interrupted. Can you share a time when a trip you took didn’t go exactly as planned?
Video: (20 minutes)
Discussion Questions:
1. Did you have a favorite part or thought from the video?
2. Why do people walk by opportunities to serve others? What personal fears keep you from serving others or meeting needs in your church family?
3. On a scale of 1-5 (with 5 being great and 1 being not so great), rate how you see yourself on the following?
A) Seeing the needs around you? _____
B) Sympathizing with people in pain? _____
C) Seizing the moment to meet the need? ____
D) Spending whatever it takes? _____
4. Sunday morning we learned that “ministry” (or service) requires an awareness of your SHAPE? Pick out at least 1 the 5 components below (such as “Heart”) and share it/them with the group? What types of ministries might fit you?
Spiritual Gifts (What gifts has God given you since you became one of His children?)
Heart (What are you passionate about?)
Abilities (What skills or aptitudes have you acquired?
Personality (How would you describe your personality?)
Experiences (What are one or two tough even terrible experiences I’ve had that God might use?)
Week Four “Discipleship: You were created to become like Christ”
Introduction:
1. When you were a kid, who did you want to be like?
2. Now that you are an adult, who do you want to be like?
Video Presentation (22:45)
Discussion Questions:
1. Was there one idea you liked most from the video?
2. When Americans are asked if they think they’ll go to heaven, nearly 90% say “yes”. When asked what makes them think they’ll go to heaven the #1 response is “because I’ve been a good person”. Can a person earn their salvation? If not why do so many people think they can?
Phil 2:12-13 Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed-not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence-continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.
Eph 2:8-10 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith-and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God- not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
Titus 3:4-6 But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior…
3. In what ways is discipleship (“becoming like Christ) “a workout”?
4. In what area of my mind do I need to stop thinking my way and start thinking God’s way? (i.e. where am I most vulnerable to stinking thinking?)
Rom 12:2 Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is-his good, pleasing and perfect will.
5. How has God used circumstances in my life to bring about growth and Christ-likeness? Can you think of a time when God used trouble to teach you about trust? God used temptation to teach you about obedience? God uses hurtful humans to teach you about forgiveness?
Rom 8:28-30 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.
James 1:2-5 Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
6. Read 2 Timothy 3:16-17. In what ways have you found the Bible useful in your life? What is the hardest part when it comes to reading the Bible?
2 Tim 3:16-17 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
