1.  DIFFICULT EXPERIENCES

Even through life’s difficulties (and sometimes especially through them) God is at work and can use these experiences as part of our design for ministry.

2. RELATIONSHIP EXPERIENCES

We are all a part of the Body of Christ, the church, and much of the exploration of our ministry design is influenced by our relationships with one another and those outside the church.

“When he [Paul] came to Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples, but they were afraid of him, not believing that he really was a disciple.  But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles . . . “   — Acts 9:26-27

You may be able to involve people in ministry that no one else could…because you have relationship with them.

3. ACHIEVEMENT EXPERIENCES

We are to learn from life’s triumphs.  How do we handle success in life?  Often our achievements can not only point to areas of personal success, they can also indicate abilities and skills that God desires to use within our efforts to serve others.

“While the beggar held on to Peter and John, all the people were astonished and came running to them. . .  When Peter saw this, he said to them:  ‘Men of Israel, why does this surprise you?  Why do you stare at us as if by our own power or godliness we had made this man walk?’”  — Acts 3:11-12

4. MINISTRY EXPERIENCES

As we dedicate ourselves to serving God the experiences we gain through our commitment will provide new opportunities for God to reveal to us our unique design for ministry.

“While Peter was still speaking [preaching] these words, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message.  The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles."  — Acts 10:44-45

Facilitator Note - True-Life Story

A thirty-three year old man in a Midwestern city received the tragic news that his wife and three year old daughter had been killed in an auto accident.  Four years later, based on his own journey through the depths of his personal pain, he began a “Grief Recovery” ministry in his church that today is touching hundreds of lives.