SESSION-V S - SPIRITUAL GIFTS H - HEART A - ABILITIES P - PERSONALITIES E - EXPERIENCES. Your Personality Will Help Determine Your Ministry

Transcription

1 SESSION-V S - SPIRITUAL GIFTS H - HEART A - ABILITIES P - PERSONALITIES E - EXPERIENCES Your Personality Will Help Determine Your Ministry Examples Of Personalities: Temperaments From The Bible We Can Determine Our Personality (Our Temperament) By Completing A Temperament Survey Your Experiences Will Help Determine Your Ministry A Record Of Your Experiences SESSION-V 1

2 1. Open with Prayer. Ask God to open our hearts and minds to learn more about how we can best serve Him by discovering and using our Personalities and our Experiences. 2. As a review, each member of the group should quickly scan the highlights of Session-IV in their notebooks. SHARING: Share what was significant in Session IV for you, and what possibly needs clarification. Share with the group what you found to be the Motivated Direction of Your Heart (See Session IV, page 8). Also share what you found to be your natural Abilities (See Session IV, page 11). 3. If there are questions in the group regarding the Motivated Direction of Your Heart or your natural Abilities, now is the best time to bring them up. 4. In this session we will be looking at our personalities (our temperaments).how God has wired us to be different from each other.to be extroverts or introverts. By knowing our personality traits we will be better able to find the ministry God has for us. This will involve taking a Temperament Survey meant to be completed at home. Also in this session we will look at how our experiences will help us define the ministry God wants us to be involved in. We will review the type of experiences we will be making a list of. The actual recording of our experiences is meant to be completed at home. 5. Before the meeting is ended, everyone should be familiar with how to complete the Temperament Survey and how to record their experiences. 6. Attempt to fill-in the blanks by using the Scripture verses associated with each question. Allow members of the group to take turns reading paragraphs and questions. Questions should be directed to the entire group for a response, not necessarily to the reader. 7. Allow time in prayer for needs of the group at the end. SESSION-V 2

3 P - PERSONALITY (Our Temperament) YOUR PERSONALITY WILL HELP DETERMINE YOUR MINISTRY We minister best in areas that are suited to our God-given personality. God has wired your temperament in a unique way. This factor is very important in matching you to the right ministry. It's obvious that God has not used a cookie cutter to stamp out people in a process of uniformity. He loves variety -- just look around! And there is no "right" or "wrong" temperament. We need opposites to balance the church. EXTROVERTS AND INTROVERTS The most obvious example of opposites in the analysis of temperaments can be portrayed by whether or not we like to be around people. If we are extroverted, we are energized by people (especially adults); we would hate to work alone in a ministry, and would prefer some variety. If we are introverted, we will be drained by constant contact with people, and would rather be removed from the crowd to perform more routine tasks or perhaps work with a non-threatening age-group. SHARING: Each individual in your group should share whether they are extroverted or introverted, and why they think so. Give an example of a job or assignment that you didn t particularly enjoy because it didn t exactly match your temperament. THE FOUR TEMPERAMENTS There are multiple authors that do a very good job of explaining the temperaments (e.g. Tim LaHaye and Bruce and Donna Cook). A common method is to think of temperaments (our personalities) as being one of four types (or a combination of two of the four). On the following page is a display of the four basic temperaments by Tim LaHaye. LaHaye uses Greek terminology..the Cooks use English terminology: EXTROVERTS: INTROVERTS: Sanguine (Influencers) Choleric (Doers) Melancholy (Thinkers) Phlegmatic (Relaters) Please note that the temperaments listed on the following page have strengths and weaknesses listed. As we mature in our walk with Christ, the weaknesses (which often could be called sin or our old nature ) will diminish as the strengths become more dominate. SESSION-V 3

4 CHARACTERISTICS OF THE TEMPERAMENTS SANGUINE (Influencers) EXTROVERTED CHOLERIC (Doers) Strengths Weaknesses Strengths Weaknesses Warm Undisciplined Strong-willed Volatile/Angry Friendly Weak-Willed Determined Unemotional Fun-Loving Egotistical Independent Self-Sufficient Outgoing Excitable Decisive Impetuous Enthusiastic Unstable Energetic Domineering Talkative Exaggerates Practical Unforgiving Compassionate Hot-Tempered Strong Leader Sarcastic Responsive Disorganized Confident Impatient Stimulating Manipulative Productive Unsympathetic Ambitious Restless Goal-Oriented Opinionated INTROVERTED MELANCHOLY (Thinkers) PHLEGMATIC (Relaters) Strengths Weaknesses Strengths Weaknesses Gifted Low Self-Confidence Calm Unmotivated Analytical Moody Easygoing Procrastinates Perfectionist Deeply Emotional Diplomatic Indecisive Self-Disciplined Easily Offended Dependable Fearful Industrious Negative/Pessimistic Objective Unsure Self-Sacrificing Critical/Picky Efficient Self-Protective Aesthetic Impractical Orderly Stubborn Creative Unsociable Practical Selfish Sensitive Self-Centered Humorous Stingy Loyal/Faithful Indecisive Agreeable Slow/Lazy SESSION-V 4

5 TEMPERAMENTS FROM THE BIBLE From the list of the characteristics of the four temperaments on the previous page, and from the Scripture verses given, identify the temperaments of Peter, Paul, Moses, and Abraham below: 1. PETER HAD A TEMPERAMENT. "No!" Peter insisted. "Not even if I have to die with you! I will never deny you!" Mt 26:35 (NLT) Meanwhile, as Peter was sitting outside in the courtyard, a servant girl came over and said to him, "You were one of those with Jesus the Galilean." But Peter denied it in front of everyone. "I don't know what you are talking about," he said "I don't even know the man," he said.."i swear by God, I don't know the man." Mt 26:70-74 (NLT) 2. PAUL HAD A TEMPERAMENT. You know what I was like when I followed the Jewish religion--how I went after the Christians mercilessly, hunting them down and doing my best to get rid of them all. I was one of the most religious Jews of my own age in the whole country and tried as hard as I possibly could to follow all the old, traditional rules of my religion. Gal 1:13-14 (TLB) Barnabas wanted to take John along, the John nicknamed Mark. But Paul wouldn't have him; he wasn't about to take along a quitter who, as soon as the going got tough, had jumped ship on them in Pamphylia. Tempers flared, and they ended up going their separate ways.. Acts 15:37-39 (MSG) 3. MOSES HAD A TEMPERAMENT. But Moses pleaded with the Lord, "O Lord, I'm just not a good speaker. I never have been, and I'm not now, even after you have spoken to me. I'm clumsy with words." (God said) Now go, and do as I have told you. I will help you speak well, and I will tell you what to say." But Moses again pleaded, "Lord, please! Send someone else." Ex 4:10-13 (NLT) The next day Moses said to the people, "You have committed a terrible sin, but I will return to the Lord on the mountain. Perhaps I will be able to obtain forgiveness for you." So Moses returned to the Lord and said, "Alas, these people have committed a terrible sin. They have made gods of gold for themselves. But now, please forgive their sin and if not, then blot me out of the record you are keeping." Ex 32:30-32 (NLT) 4. ABRAHAM HAD A TEMPERAMENT. As he drew near to Egypt, he said to his wife, Sarai, "Look. We both know that you're a beautiful woman. When the Egyptians see you they're going to say, 'Aha! That's his wife!' and kill me. But they'll let you live. Do me a favor: tell them you're my sister. Because of you, they'll welcome me and let me live." Gen 12:11-13 (MSG) "The Lord has kept me from having any children," Sarai said to Abram. "Go and sleep with my servant. Perhaps I can have children through her." And Abram agreed. So Abram slept with Hagar, and she became pregnant. When Hagar knew she was pregnant, she began to treat her mistress Sarai with contempt. Then Sarai said to Abram, "It's all your fault! Now this servant of mine is pregnant, and she despises me, though I myself gave her the privilege of sleeping with you. The Lord will make you pay for doing this to me!" Abram replied, "Since she is your servant, you may deal with her as you see fit." So Sarai treated her harshly, and Hagar ran away. Gen 16:1-6 (NLT) On the next two pages you will find a Temperament Survey and a Temperament Identity Chart. Most people find that they have two temperaments which are determined by the columns with the two largest totals on the Identity chart. This is meant to be done as a home exercise. SESSION-V 5

6 TEMPERAMENT SURVEY Directions: Circle one word in each row that you feel describes you best: On the following page, circle the corresponding letter for each row. A B C D 1. Restrained Forceful Careful Expressive 2. Pioneering Correct Emotional Satisfied 3. Willing Animated Bold Precise 4. Stubborn Bashful Indecisive Unpredictable 5. Respectful Out-going Patient Determined 6. Persuasive Self-reliant Cooperative Gentle 7. Cautious Even-tempered Decisive Life-of-the-party 8. Popular Assertive Perfectionist Generous 9. Unpredictable Bashful Indecisive Argumentative 10. Agreeable Optimistic Persistent Accommodating 11. Positive Humble Neighborly Talkative 12. Friendly Obliging Playful Strong-willed 13. Charming Adventurous Disciplined Consistent 14. Soft-spoken Dry-humor Aggressive Attractive 15. Enthusiastic Analytical Sympathetic Determined 16. Bossy Inconsistent Slow Critical 17. Sensitive Forceful Character Spirited Laid-back 18. Influential Kind Independent Orderly 19. Idealistic Popular Cheerful Out-spoken 20. Impatient Moody Aimless Show-off 21. Competitive Spontaneous Loyal Thoughtful 22. Self-sacrificing Considerate Convincing Courageous 23. Fearful Changeable Pessimistic Tactless 24. Tolerant Conventional Stimulating Resourceful SESSION-V 6

7 TEMPERAMENT IDENTITY CHART CHOLERIC SANGUINE PHLEGMATIC MELANCHOLY B D A C 2. A C D B 3. C B A D 4. A D C B 5. D B C A 6. B A D C 7. C D B A 8. B A D C 9. D A C B 10. C B D A 11. A D C B 12. D C A B 13. B A D C 14. C D B A 15. D A C B 16. A B C D 17. B C D A 18. C A B D 19. D B C A 20. A D C B 21. A B C D 22. D C B A 23. D B A C 24. D C A B Total: Circled SESSION-V 7

8 E - EXPERIENCES YOUR EXPERIENCES WILL HELP DETERMINE YOUR MINISTRY 1. GOD ALLOWS PAINFUL SO WE CAN. whenever trouble comes your way, let it be an opportunity for joy. For when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. Jas 1:2-3 (NLT) "And we know that all that happens to us is working for our good if we love God and are fitting into his plans. " Rom. 8:28 (TLB) SHARING: Share a hurt, a problem or trial you went through. Explain how it brought you closer to God and His comfort. One of the most overlooked factors in determining the ministry God has for me is my past experience, particularly my hurts and problems I've overcome with God's help. Since our greatest life messages come out of our weaknesses, not our strengths, we should pay close attention to what we've learned in the "school of hard knocks". 2. GOD ALLOWS US TO GO THROUGH TRIALS SO WE CAN GOING THROUGH SIMILAR TRIALS. "(God)... Wonderfully comforts and strengthens us in our hardships and trials. And why does he do this? So when others are troubled, needing our sympathy and encouragement, we can pass on to them the same help and comfort God has given us!" 2 Cor. 1:3-4 (LB) "Now I (Paul) want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me (he s in jail) has really served to advance the gospel" Phil 1:12 SHARING: When are we more open to God: When we are self-sufficient and everything is going good, or when we are hurting? Share how you were comforted by someone who went through a similar trial. Or perhaps you know someone who was comforted by a person who went through a similar trial. HE WANTS YOU TO BE OPEN TO MINISTERING TO PEOPLE WHO ARE GOING THROUGH WHAT YOU'VE ALREADY BEEN THROUGH! Who can relate better to someone who has had an alcohol problem than someone who has been an alcoholic? Who can better relate to someone who is going through a divorce than someone who has been divorced? Who can better relate to someone who has lost a husband or wife in a death, than someone who has lost a husband or wife? SESSION-V 8

9 A RECORD OF YOUR EXPERIENCES 1. WRITE DOWN YOUR PAINFUL EXPERIENCES. Include problems, hurts, trials from which you have learned. You can t be effective in ministry unless you are willing to talk about these things. Everyone is hurting somewhere. God wants to use these experiences in your life to help others. 2. WRITE DOWN YOUR SPIRITUAL EXPERIENCES. Include meaningful decision times with God. In your life, when have you felt closest to God? What times with God have meant the most to you? Was it when you gave your life to Christ? Was it in a devotional time alone or with your family? Was it at a conference or seminar that you had a life changing spiritual experience? 3. WRITE DOWN YOUR EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCES. Include what were your favorite subjects. What classes did you really, truly enjoy in school? What level of schooling did you achieve? What areas have you self-taught yourself in? 4. WRITE DOWN YOUR PAST MINISTRY EXPERIENCES. Include how you served in churches or religious organizations. Some of you may not have served at all outside of attending church. Others of you may have served for many years. Record the types of service, years of each, and with what capacity. SESSION-V 9