SESSION FOUR
Giving God Our Best
Worship and Service
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WORSHIP AND PERSONAL DISCIPLESHIP
Personal Worship, Discipleship, and the Community of Faith
Christians respond to God both in communal worship and service and in personal acts of worship and
discipleship. The life of the Christian flows from the worship of the church, where identity as a
believer is confirmed and where one is commissioned to a life of discipleship and of personal
response to God. The believer’s life of response and discipleship flows into the church’s life of
worship and service. (W-1.1005; W-2.1001)
Through worship people attend to the presence of God in their life. From a Christian’s life in the
world comes the need for worship; in worship one sees the world in light of God’s grace; from
worship come vision and power for living in the world.
The Word of God proclaimed and received in worship calls each believer to faithful discipleship in
the world. From such service the disciple turns to give thanks, to confess, to intercede, and to hear
Christ’s call anew. The rhythm of the life of the believer moves from worship to ministry, from
ministry to worship.
The life of a Christian is empowered by grace, is expressed in obedience, and is shaped by discipline.
God has given as means of grace the elements of worship to be used by households and by
individuals as well as by congregations. (W-2.0000) The session should encourage people to use the
disciplines described in this directory as expressions of their obedience and discipleship and as
means for living and growing in the grace of God. (W-5.2000 -5.5000)
The Discipline of Daily Personal Worship
Daily personal worship is a discipline for attending to God and accepting God’s grace. The daily
challenge of discipleship requires the daily nurture of worship. Daily personal worship may occur in
a gathered community of faith (W-1.1005; W-1.3012; W-3.4000), in households and families (W5.7000), or in private. Scripture, prayer, self-offering, and commitments to service are elements of
daily personal worship. Baptism and the Lord’s Supper are by their nature communal, but preparing
for and remembering these Sacraments are important in daily personal worship. An aspect of the
discipline of daily personal worship is finding the times and places where one can focus on God’s
presence, hear God’s Word, and respond to God’s grace in prayer, self-offering and commitment to
service of daily personal worship is finding the times and places
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A DISCIPLE IS CALLED AND GIFTED FOR MINISTRY
Scripture Reading:
Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices,
holy and pleasing to God – this is your spiritual act of worship. 2Do 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. 3For by the
grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought,
but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God
has given you. 4Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not
have all the same function, 5so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member
belongs to all the others.
6We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man’s gift is prophesying, let him
use it in proportion to his faith. 7If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; 8if
it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give
generously, if it is leadership, let
him govern diligently, if it
is showing mercy, let him do it
cheerfully.
Romans 12:1-8
1Now about spiritual gifts, brothers, I do not want you to be ignorant. 4There are different kinds
of gifts, but the same Spirit. 5There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord.
6There are different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in all men.
7Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. 8To one
there is given through the Spirit the message of wisdom, to another the message of
knowledge by means of the same Spirit, 10to another speaking in different kinds of
tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues. 11All these are the work of one
and the same Spirit, and he gives them to each one, just as he determines.
I Corinthians 12:1,4-11
10Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully
administering God’s grace in its various form. 11If anyone speaks, he should do it as one
speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God
provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the
glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.
I Peter
4:10-11
Looking Into the Scriptures:
Notice how quickly, in describing the Christian life, Paul moves to spiritual gifts and the
importance of each member’s expressing his gifts. What does he challenge the believers
to do?
Each member is unique in their gifting and thus has a unique contribution to make. What spirit
are we to do it in?
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What part does the analogy of the "body of Christ" add to our understanding?
1.
Making Jesus Lord of My Life
A. Surrendering my will to His will
"Surrender is better than
obedience."
B. He is Lord of all of my life
Total commitment: "Giving all that I understand about myself to all that I know of
God."
1. Family
2. Work
C. Daily repentance and obedience to His Word and Spirit? (Galatians 5:16-25
Who's driving your car?
Quarterback - who calls the next play?
"Benevolent Manager"
D. Inner conflict: "Flesh" vs. the Spirit (Romans 7:15-25)
"Flesh"= our sinful nature and impulses
Civil war within us
II.
Discover your Calling (Vocation)
The Father has a unique purpose for your life which is your
special vocation - that to which He is calling you. It embraces
all of life. No sacred/secular division. It matches your natural
abilities, spiritual gifts, your position in life, opportunities and
responsibilities.
"Calling" in contrast to "Career"
Do you think of your work as secular "career" or God-given "calling"?
Career is achievement-oriented; calling is service-oriented.
Career fosters pride and self-fulfillment; calling fosters humility and fulfillment
of others.
Career is measured by success; calling is measured by effectiveness.
Career seeks to please men and glorify self; calling seeks to please and glorify
God.
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Career may have its eye on the $$; calling looks for the divine "well done."
Career can make homemakers feel inferior; calling dignifies the role of wife and
mother.
1 Peter 4:10-11
10Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's
grace in its various forms. lIlf anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God.
If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be
praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.
For Reflection
What is a "steward"? What is his responsibility?
Ephesians 4:11-13
lIlt was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be
evangelists, and
some to be pastors and teachers, 12to prepare God's people for works of service, so
that the body
of Christ may be built up 13until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge
of the Son
of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.
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Spiritual Gifts Survey
LifeWay Christian Resources
Discover Your Spiritual Gifts!
By Gene Wilkes
Ken Hemphill defines a spiritual gift as “an individual manifestation of grace from the Father
that enables you to serve Him and thus play a vital role in His plan for the redemption of the
world.”1 Peter Wagner defines a spiritual gift as “a special attribute given by the Holy Spirit to
every member of the Body of Christ according to God’s grace for use within the context of the
Body.”2 I like to use this definition:
A spiritual gift is an expression of the Holy Spirit in the life of believers which
empowers them to serve the body of Christ, the church.
Romans 12:6-8; 1 Corinthians 12:8-10, 28-30; Ephesians 4:11; and 1 Peter 4:9-11 contain
representative lists of gifts and roles God has given to the church. A definition of these gifts
follows.3
 Leadership—Leadership aids the body by leading and directing members to accomplish
the goals and purposes of the church. Leadership motivates people to work together in
unity toward common goals (Rom. 12:8).
 Administration—Persons with the gift of administration lead the body by steering others
to remain on task. Administration enables the body to organize according to God-given
purposes and long-term goals (1 Cor. 12:28).
 Teaching—Teaching is instructing members in the truths and doctrines of God’s Word
for the purposes of building up, unifying, and maturing the body (1 Cor. 12:28; Rom.
12:7; Eph. 4:11).
 Knowledge—The gift of knowledge manifests itself in teaching and training in
discipleship. It is the God-given ability to learn, know, and explain the precious truths of
God’s Word. A word of knowledge is a Spirit-revealed truth (1 Cor. 12:28).
 Wisdom—Wisdom is the gift that discerns the work of the Holy Spirit in the body and
applies His teachings and actions to the needs of the body (1 Cor. 12:28).
 Prophecy—The gift of prophecy is proclaiming the Word of God boldly. This builds up
the body and leads to conviction of sin. Prophecy manifests itself in preaching and
teaching (1 Cor. 12:10; Rom. 12:6).
 Discernment—Discernment aids the body by recognizing the true intentions of those
within or related to the body. Discernment tests the message and actions of others for the
protection and well-being of the body (1 Cor. 12:10).
 Exhortation—Possessors of this gift encourage members to be involved in and
enthusiastic about the work of the Lord. Members with this gift are good counselors and
motivate others to service. Exhortation exhibits itself in preaching, teaching, and ministry
(Rom. 12:8).
 Shepherding—The gift of shepherding is manifested in persons who look out for the
spiritual welfare of others. Although pastors, like shepherds, do care for members of the
church, this gift is not limited to a pastor or staff member (Eph. 4:11).
 Faith—Faith trusts God to work beyond the human capabilities of the people. Believers
with this gift encourage others to trust in God in the face of apparently insurmountable
odds (1 Cor. 12:9).
 Evangelism—God gifts his church with evangelists to lead others to Christ effectively
and enthusiastically. This gift builds up the body by adding new members to its
fellowship (Eph. 4:11).
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Spiritual Gifts Survey
LifeWay Christian Resources
·
·
·
·
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Apostleship—The church sends apostles from the body to plant churches or be
missionaries. Apostles motivate the body to look beyond its walls in order to carry out the
Great Commission (1 Cor. 12:28; Eph. 4:11).
Service/Helps—Those with the gift of service/helps recognize practical needs in the
body and joyfully give assistance to meeting those needs. Christians with this gift do not
mind working behind the scenes (1 Cor. 12:28; Rom. 12:7).
Mercy—Cheerful acts of compassion characterize those with the gift of mercy. Persons
with this gift aid the body by empathizing with hurting members. They keep the body
healthy and unified by keeping others aware of the needs within the church (Rom. 12:8).
Giving—Members with the gift of giving give freely and joyfully to the work and
mission of the body. Cheerfulness and liberality are characteristics of individuals with
this gift (Rom. 12:8).
Hospitality—Those with this gift have the ability to make visitors, guests, and strangers
feel at ease. They often use their home to entertain guests. Persons with this gift integrate
new members into the body (1 Pet. 4:9).
·
God has gifted you with an expression of His Holy Spirit to support His vision and mission of
the church. It is a worldwide vision to reach all people with the gospel of Christ. As a servant
leader, God desires that you know how He has gifted you. This will lead you to where He would
have you serve as part of His vision and mission for the church.
Download the Spiritual Gifts Survey at http://www.lifeway.com/downloads
Gene Wilkes is pastor of the Legacy Drive Baptist Church, Plano, Texas. This article was
adapted from Jesus on Leadership by Gene Wilkes (LifeWay Christian Resources 1998).
1
Ken Hemphill, Serving God: Discovering and Using Your Spiritual Gifts Workbook (Dallas:
The Sampson Company, 1995), 22. This product is distributed by and available from LifeWay
Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention, and may be purchased by calling toll
free 1-800-458-2772.
2
Your Spiritual Gifts Can Help Your Church Grow by C. Peter Wagner, Copyright © 1979,
Regal Books, Ventura, CA 93003. Used by permission, 42.
3
These definitions exclude the “sign gifts” because of some confusion that accompanies these
gifts and because they are difficult to fit into ministries within a typical church’s ministry base.
Copyright 2003 LifeWay Christian Resources
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SCRIPTURAL PRINCIPLES OF GIVING
God Owns All- Yours, 0 Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the majesty
and the splendor, for everything in heaven and earth is yours. Yours, 0 Lord, is the kingdom;
you are exalted as head over all. Wealth and honor come from you; you are the ruler of all
things.
1 Chronicles 29:11-12
We Are Stewards - definition> a person charged by the owner with the responsibility of
managing property or finances. See Jesus' parable of the talents in Matthew 25.
This is how one should regard us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God.
Moreover it is required of stewards that they be found faithful.
1 Corinthians
4: 1-2
God is the Source - And my God will supply every need of yours...
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Philippians 4:
God is able to provide you with every blessing in abundance, so that you may always have enough
of everything and may provide in abundance for every good work.
2 Corinthians
9:8
Old Testament Giving
1. First Fruits - When you enter the land 1 am going to give you and you reap its harvest, bring
the priest a sheaf of the .first grain you harvest, and he shall wave the sheaf before the Lord.
2. Tithe - Bring the full tithes into the storehouse says the Lord and. .. 1 will open the windows of
heaven jar you and pour down for you overflowing blessings.
Malachi 3: 1 0
All the tithe ... is the Lord's, it is holy (separated) to the Lord.
Leviticus
27:30
New Testament Giving
1. First Give Oneself - First they gave themselves to the Lord and to us by the will of God. Seek
first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things shall be yours as well.
2 Corinthians 8:5
2. Freely, Intentionally, and Cheerfully, not Reluctantly - Each one must do as he has made up
his mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.
2 Corinthians 9:7
3. Proportionate Giving - They gave according to their means, ... and beyond their means, of
their own free will.
2 Corinthians 8:3
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4. Put Giving First - On the first day of every week, each of you should set aside a sum of money
in keeping with his income, saving it up...
1 Corinthians 16:2
5. Sowing and Reaping - The point is this: he who sows sparingly will reap sparingly, and he
who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.
2 Corinthians 9:6
6. God's Promise to Provide - Give and it will be given to you; good measure, pressed down,
shaken together, running over, will be put in your lap.
Luke 6:38
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