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1 - Our Privilege to Serve |
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OUR PRIVILEGE TO SERVE AS TEACHERS!
I. Welcome / Introductions / Note of Appreciation / Prayer
II. A Look at the Calendar for this Fall Series
III. Comment on Wednesday Night, Sept 11th
a. Choice
b. Alternative Class Time
IV. Resource Book – Gifts: the joy of Serving God
V. Model for Adult Learning – (with the goal of Spiritual Growth / Progress)
a.Action
b.Attitude
c.Knowledge
VI. Some Stated Goals for this Series
a. To re-educate this church with the concept of the “priesthood of all believers.”
b. To re-create a renewed emphasis / commitment in this church to serving!
c. To invigorate and inspire all of our members to new heights of service.
d. To raise the awareness and sensitivities of all our members to the ministry opportunities God is providing us each day.
e. To assist our members in the discovery and use of their spiritual gifts in service.
f. To share the truths we study during this series in such a way that they will be transforming – corporately and individually.
g. To encourage all of members to commit to individual study / prayer / exercise using the Bible and the resource materials provided.
VII. Review and Discuss in class the “Ten Core Values for Spiritual Formation” (page 9).
LESSON ONE:
I. Bring an old, used axe, sledgehammer, and/or shovel to class and contrast that to the story told on page 15 about the tools found in the hardware store.
a. Is it not true that our lives are on display and people can see whether we’re engaged / serving or on the shelf?
II. What shaped your attitude toward serving growing up?
III. What are the implications of Paul’s teaching in Ephesians 2:10?
“We are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”
a. Notice the authors statements on page 16 –
God . . . “made the decision not to transform this world with the wave of a heavenly wane, rather he decided to transform the world through His church – through rank-and-file people like you and me, everyday shovels, rakes, and sledgehammers in His hands.
IV. In this first chapter, the authors relate the story of the beginnings of the Willow Creek Community Church. Though we differ with some of the theology and methodology used as this group came together to form the nucleus of what has become a church of some 15,000 members, what are the lessons learned about how this group of individuals came together to form a ministry team?
a. Have any of you ever experienced a similar kind of meaningful involvement in a ministry team that has helped to mold you into what you’ve become today?
V. The authors ask of us the question – “When was the last time you prayed a ‘use me’ prayer?”
a. Do you ever wonder if God’s just waiting on us to ask?
b. Do we really believe that God will respond and open doors of opportunity if we pray this prayer?
c. Note the authors comments on page 18 –
“He (God) will use your words to encourage people. He will use your mind to inform and counsel people. He will use your heart to show kindness. He will use your hands to serve. And when he does, you’ll experience the thrill of being used by God! Nothing I have ever found in this life competes with that thrill. That is why my dream has always been to get to the end of my life and sense that I was completely expended for the sake of God. No tread left on my tires, no shine left on the axe or shovel.”
VI. After reading Romans 12:1-2, discuss what is the connection between our view of God’s mercies and how we are to offer ourselves as a living sacrifice? What does it mean to offer our bodies as a living sacrifice to God.
CONCLUDING THOUGHTS:
* As we begin this study, how would you like to grow in servanthood as a result of this study?
* Turn to page 27 and record the main points that you “take-away” from this lesson.
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