SESSION 1
Building Blocks of a Life Story
There are several things to consider in preparation for discerning the story of one’s life.
I. Stages of Life
When thinking about one’s life story, it is helpful to understand where one fits into the overall
pattern common to many lives. This is often referred to as the “stages of life”. Numerous writers
have developed material related to the stages of life, but because our focus is particularly on
ministry and how our life prepares us for that context, we will look at a model proposed by Robert
Clinton which focuses on the life cycle of a leader. Among Clinton’s convictions about Christian
leadership are these:
* God shapes or develops a leader over an entire lifetime.
* God intends to develop a leader to reach their maximum potential and to accomplish
those things for which the leader has been gifted.
* Each leader has a unique timeline describing his/her development.
* Patterns can be identified and are highly suggestive for anticipating future processing
by God.
Clinton uses the following to help us understand our life story.
The Ministry Time Line
1. Ministry Foundations (16 – 26 years)
Basic character, personality and underlying values are shaped.
The potential leader comes alive to God through conversion or spiritual renewal.
2. Early Ministry (5 – 12 years)
A basic commitment to leadership is made.
Basic leadership character is formed. Early experiences of ministry occur.
Intimations of life purpose appear. Hints of giftedness appear.
3. Middle Ministry (8 – 14 years)
Life purpose clarifies. Giftedness clarifies. Major role clarifies.
Breakthrough insights for how to empower people for ministry are learned.
Conflict is faced. Authority issues faced. There is efficient ministry.
4. Latter Ministry (12 + years)
Movement towards an ideal role. Efficient ministry becomes effective ministry.
Peak ministry occurs. Ultimate contribution clarifies.
5. Finishing Well (?)
Lifetime of ministry consolidated. Ultimate contributions are proactively developed..
Important values passed on to a new generation of leaders.
Let’s think about this …
1. Where are you on the ministry timeline outlined above?
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2. What clues point you to that conclusion?
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3. How does this insight change your perspective on your life story?
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II. Discovering Your Passion
A second component to be considered when thinking about one’s life story is what
one is passionate about. The following exercises can help you figure this out.
Exercise # 1 Name That Theme
Take a couple of minutes to identify the theme of the following lives:
eg. Christopher Reeve - courage
Michael Jordan
- _______________________
Billy Graham
- _______________________
Mother Theresa
- _______________________
Nelson Mandela
- _______________________
Winston Churchill - _______________________
George Mueller
- _______________________
William Booth
- _______________________
Yourself
- _______________________
How did you conclude that your theme is ______________________________________?
Take some time to discuss your answers with those around your table.
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Exercise # 2 You Get to Decide
Many years ago, the inventor of dynamite woke up one morning to read his own obituary in the
newspaper. Although it was obviously a journalistic error, he was shocked to see it and to see
himself as the world saw him – “the dynamite king, the weapons maker, the great industrialist who
made an immense fortune from explosives.” As he read his own obituary, he determined to make
clear to the world his true ideals which were 1) the breaking down of the barriers that separated
men and ideas, and 2) the promotion of world peace.
The measure to which he succeeded in redefining his legacy is evident to all, for today we do not
remember him primarily for inventing dynamite, but we remember him as the man who
established a system of honors known as the Nobel Prizes, among which is the Nobel Peace Prize.
Alfred Nobel literally re-wrote his own obituary.
For Reflection …
1. If your obituary were written today, for what would you be remembered?
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2. What would you like your obituary to say?
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3. What is stopping you from leaving the legacy you most desire?
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Exercise # 3 What’s Your Passion? Fill in the blanks in the chart below.
HIGH ABILITY / LOW PASSION
HIGH ABILITY / HIGH PASSION
LOW ABILITY / LOW PASSION
LOW ABILITY / HIGH PASSION
LOW
HIGH
ABILITY SCALE
HIGH
Activities I do characterized by...
LOW
PASSION SCALE
HIGH
For Reflection:
1. Which quadrant garners most of your time & energy?
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2. Is this what you want your life to be about?
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3. What will it take to make a change?
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II. Life Experiences in Leadership
One of the ways we can perceive what God is calling us to do is by looking at what He, the
Sovereign Lord has already allowed us to experience in our lives. If it is true that ``God is always
preparing us for that which He has prepared for us to do``, then think back over your life and
identify five experiences which have prepared you for your current ministry role. Make a note of
how each experience has prepared you for your current situation.
1. _________________________________________________________________________
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2. _________________________________________________________________________
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3. _________________________________________________________________________
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4. _________________________________________________________________________
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5. _________________________________________________________________________
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For Reflection…
1. What have you discovered? Are there any surprises?
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2. What unique experiences have happened in your present ministry which may be God’s way of
preparing you for what’s next in your life? Are any of these connected to the experiences you
identified above? Do you see any patterns of responsibility, context, opportunity, etc.?
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“Not that I have already obtained it or have already become perfect, but I press on
so that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus... I
do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what
lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for
the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” Phil 3:12-14