Download SHAPE Booklet - Northwest Bible Church

CELEBRATE YOUR S.H.A.P.E.!
Before God created you, He decided what role He wanted you to play on
earth. He planned exactly how He wanted you to serve Him, and then He
shaped you for those tasks. That means no one else on earth will ever be
able to fulfill the role God planned for you. If you don’t make your unique
contribution to the Body of Christ, it very simply will not be made.
Whenever God gives you an assignment, He always equips you with what
you need to accomplish it. This “custom combination of capabilities” is
what we often refer to as your “SHAPE.”*
Spiritual Gifts
Heart
Abilities
Personality
Experiences
Since your SHAPE was sovereignly determined by God for His purpose,
don’t resent it or reject it. Instead of trying to reshape yourself to be like
someone else, celebrate the SHAPE God has given only to you!
Satan will try to steal the joy of service from you in at least two key ways:
First, by tempting you to compare your ministry with others. Second,
by tempting you to conform your ministry to the expectations of others.
Both are deadly traps that will distract you from serving in the ways God
intended.
This booklet is designed to help every member of the Northwest Body to
discover your own unique, God-given SHAPE, and to celebrate it! We are
challenging you to simply be who God made you to be, and to fulfill the
exciting role He has for you in His Body.
God gave you your unique SHAPE for two specific purposes:
• To fulfill a MINISTRY in the CHURCH
• To fulfill a MISSION in the WORLD
*The S.H.A.P.E. acrostic is described in The Purpose Driven Life, by Rick
Warren. Many of the concepts and quotes in this booklet were taken, adapted,
and/or customized from this book.
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SPIRITUAL GIFTS
In the last 100 years, no one subject in all of the Bible has produced more confusion,
controversy and chaos than the subject of spiritual gifts. How ironic, since the Holy
Spirit’s first words in introducing the subject through the Apostle Paul were, “Now
concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you to be ignorant.” (I Cor. 12:1)!
This section is intended to provide biblical clarification, and hopefully, simplification
of what often appears to be a very complex subject.
Biblically, there are a total of 18 spiritual gifts. Each one falls into four different
classifications, and yet, even those four can be classified into two over-arching
categories. (Please take a few minutes to assimilate the diagram below before reading
on).
A BIBLICAL CLASSIFICATION OF SPIRITUAL GIFTS
TEMPORARY SIGN GIFTS
REVEALING GIFTS
CONFIRMING GIFTS
Apostleship
Prophecy
Word of Wisdom
Word of Knowledge
Faith
Healing
Working of Miracles
Discerning of Spirits
Tongues
Interpretation of Tongues
PERMANENT EDIFYING GIFTS
SPEAKING GIFTS
(EXPOUND the WORD)
Evangelism
Teaching
Exhortation
Pastor-Teaching
4
SERVING GIFTS
(EXPAND the WORK)
Leadership
Serving or Helps
Mercy
Giving
SPIRITUAL GIFTS
Please note that the “TEMPORARY SIGN GIFTS” were precisely that!
1. They were “TEMPORARY.”
That is, the Spirit of God distributed these gifts at a time of transition
after the birth of the church, and yet, prior to the completion of the
New Testament. They served a very important purpose in history, but as
important as they were in the first century of the church, that purpose
was only “temporary.” These gifts had no continuing role in the Body of
Christ once the New Testament had been completed.
2. They were “SIGNS.”
In other words, they were given for the purpose of both revealing the
truth of God, and confirming that it was in fact, from God. Once the New
Testament had been completed, however, the only confirmation needed
to determine whether someone is speaking for God, is whether or not
what they say lines up with the Word of God!
3. They were “GIFTS.”
That is, they were never given because a person earnestly desired them,
sought them, or passionately yearned for them. Nor did the Spirit
distribute them as a result of some spiritual leader laying hands on a
particular person, or even because someone fasted and prayed. They
were given, as is the case with all of the “gifts” of the Spirit, by the
sovereign grace of God’s own choosing.
Please note also, that the “PERMANENT EDIFYING GIFTS” are precisely that!
1. They are “PERMANENT.”
These gifts were given prior to the completion of the New Testament, and
have been and will be given throughout the entire church age. They have
a very specific continuing and permanent role in the Body of Christ.
2. They are given for the purpose of “EDIFYING.”
In other words, as the local body of believers exercises their gifts, the
Body is “built up.” There are two classifications of the “PERMANENT
EDIFYING GIFTS”: First, there are SPEAKING GIFTS, which are given for
the purpose of EXPOUNDING the WORD. Second, there are SERVING
GIFTS, which are given for the purpose of EXPANDING the WORK.
3. They, too, are “GIFTS.”
We receive them at the moment we are born into God’s family by the
sovereign will of the Spirit of God. Through the “gifts,” we become
channels through which the flow of power comes from the Spirit of God
to touch the lives of people in and through the Body!
Most Christians are interested in “serve us” rather than service. We say,
“I’m looking for a church that meets my needs and blesses me,” not “I’m looking
for a place to serve and be a blessing.”
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SPIRITUAL GIFTS
A BIBLICAL COMPARISON
The “FRUIT” of the SPIRIT
1. It is SINGULAR… “Fruit.”
(Gal. 5:22a)
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The “GIFTS” of the SPIRIT
1. They are plural… “Gifts.”
(I Cor. 12:1)
2. Does not co-exist with
CARNALITY. (Gal. 5:17)
2. Can co-exist with CARNALITY.
(I Cor. 1:7; 3:1)
3. Cannot be COUNTERFEITED.
(Gal. 5:18–24)
3. Can be COUNTERFEITED.
(I Cor. 12:2)
4. Given to manifest the
CHARACTER of Christ.
(Eph. 4:17–24)
4. Given to manifest the BODY
of Christ.
(Eph. 1:22–23; 4:11–13, 16)
5. Has to do with ATTITUDES.
(Gal. 5:22b–23)
5. Has to do with ACTIONS.
(Rom. 12:6–8; I Cor. 12:6, 15–26)
6. Primarily affects YOURSELF.
(Gal. 5:16–17)
6. Primarily affects OTHERS.
(I Cor. 12:7; I Peter 4:10–11)
7. Main purpose is to MORTIFY
the FLESH. (Gal. 5:24; Col. 3:5)
7. Main purpose is to EDIFY the BODY. (Eph. 4:11–16)
8. All believers can and should
POSSESS all of the SAME
FRUIT. (Gal 5:22–23)
8. All believers do not POSSESS
all of the GIFTS, nor do they
have the SAME GIFTS.
(I Cor. 12:4; 11–12)
9. The FRUIT of the Spirit is the RESULT of being FILLED with
the Spirit.
(Eph. 5:9–18; Gal. 5:16–18, 22–23)
9. The GIFTS of the Spirit are the RESULT of receiving
SALVATION and the sovereign
distribution of the Spirit.
(I Cor. 12:7, 11)
SPIRITUAL GIFTS
THE PERMANENT EDIFYING GIFTS
The SPEAKING Gifts (Given to EXPOUND the WORD)…
EVANGELISM: The ability to communicate the gospel in the
power of the Holy Spirit so that unbelievers can understand it and
are persuaded to respond to Christ. (Eph. 4:11)
People with the gift of EVANGELISM . . .
• Feel compelled to find a way to speak to individuals about
their need of Christ.
• Look for ways to build friendships with nonbelievers.
• Sense when a person is open to the message of the gospel.
• Have likely seen friends come to faith in Christ.
Other information regarding the gift of EVANGELISM . . .
• Philip is the only one the scripture specifically refers to as an
evangelist. (Acts 21:8)
• A person with this gift is known by the effectiveness of his
ministry through the response of the people.
(Acts 8:5, 12, 35)
I think I have this gift (circle one):
Yes
Maybe
No
TEACHING:
The ability in the Holy Spirit to explain the
meaning of God’s truth to others so that there is understanding and
application. (Rom. 12:7)
People with the gift of TEACHING . . .
• Study scripture intensely so they can help others apply its
principles and truth.
• Enjoy making the Bible clear and understandable to others.
• Have a knack for seeing how biblical principles remain relevant to
today’s culture.
• Are good at helping others learn to study the Bible.
Other information regarding the gift of TEACHING . . .
• The emphasis of this gift is more a systematic teaching or training,
rather than a one-time proclaiming of Christ
• The curriculum of the teacher is the BIBLE!
• The gift is not simply referring to the amount of education,
knowledge, or understanding a person has, but to his ability to
communicate effectively.
I think I have this gift (circle one):
Yes
Maybe
No
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SPIRITUAL GIFTS
EXHORTATION: (Note:
The word “exhortation” means “to
come alongside.” It is the word used to refer to the Holy Spirit
in John 16:7 that is translated “Comforter.”) It is the ability in the
Spirit to draw close to individuals in time of need, counseling them
accurately with the Word of God. It persuades them to take courage
in the face of something they must do, or assures them to take
comfort in the face of their situation and/or circumstances.
(Rom. 12:8)
People with the gift of EXHORTATION . . .
• Want to inspire others to become more like the Lord Jesus Christ.
• Seek opportunities to help others reach their full potential as
Christ-followers.
• Find ways to encourage and impassion others through words
and actions.
• Rejoice with people who have overcome tough times with
God’s help.
Other information regarding the gift of EXHORTATION . . .
• A key example of someone with this gift was Joses. We most often
refer to him by his nickname, “Barnabus.” Acts. 4:36 interprets
the name Barnabus as “the son of consolation.”
I think I have this gift (circle one):
Yes
Maybe
No
PASTOR-TEACHING:
The ability in the Holy Spirit to
oversee, feed, and protect a flock, while equipping them for the
work of the ministry. (I Pet. 5:2, Acts 20:28, Eph. 4: 11-12)
People with the gift of PASTORING . . .
• Want to help others reach their full potential as Christ-followers.
• Enjoy serving others and look for opportunities to do so.
• Are good at developing personal, trust-based relationships with a
group of people.
• Are drawn toward meeting the needs of others, willingly giving
time to help them with spiritual issues.
• Believe that people are more important than projects.
Other information regarding the gift of PASTORING . . .
• This gift is usually expressed in a desire to shepherd, and is done
willingly and with great eagerness. (I Peter 5:2)
• The gift is expressed in willingness to give diligent study of God’s
Word, with a passion to see it obeyed. (II Tim. 2:15, I Tim. 5:17)
I think I have this gift (circle one):
8
Yes
Maybe
No
SPIRITUAL GIFTS
The SPEAKING Gifts “At-A-Glance”
EVANGELISM: The IMPARTATION of Truth.
TEACHING: The INTERPRETATION of Truth.
EXHORTATION: The IMPLEMENTATION of Truth.
PASTOR-TEACHING: The INDOCTRINATION of Truth.
“Do all the good you can, by all the means you can, in all the ways you can, at all
the times you can, to all the people you can, as long as you ever can.”
John Wesley’s motto
THE PERMANENT EDIFYING GIFTS continued
The SERVING Gifts (Given to EXPOUND the WORK)…
LEADERSHIP (RULING/GOVERNMENTS):
(Note: The word
“ruling” in Romans 12:8 means “to lead, to manage, to have charge
of, to oversee, or to rule.” The corresponding word “governments”
in I Corinthians 12:28 means “to steer a ship.”) It is the ability to see
an objective, formalize that objective, mobilize a group of people,
and get them to that objective.
(Rom.12:8, I Cor. 12:28)
People who have the gift of LEADERSHIP . . .
• Usually have “big ideas” about the work of the Lord, and possess
the ability to rally other people to accomplish those ideas.
• Are naturally drawn toward leadership roles.
• Find it easy to motivate people—both individually and in teams—
to work together in achieving goals for God.
• Naturally see and grasp the “big picture.”
• Willingly delegate responsibilities and tasks to other people.
Other information regarding the gift of LEADERSHIP . . .
• Two key words that help define this gift are DIRECTION
and DECISION-MAKING.
• An Old Testament example of what this gift actually looks like
is seen in Jethro in Exodus 18:13-23.
I think I have this gift (circle one):
Yes
Maybe
No
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SPIRITUAL GIFTS
SERVING (HELPS/MINISTRY):
The ability to bring immediate
support and help to someone carrying out a task, in order to relieve
his burden and/or responsibilities. (I Cor. 12:28, Rom. 12:7)
People who have the gift of SERVING . . .
• Enjoy and seek ways to serve behind the scenes.
• Look for ways to help others succeed.
• Look for ways to assist others in need.
• Do not seek recognition for their efforts.
• Are often focused on details.
Other information regarding the gift of SERVING . . .
• The word translated “helps” in reference to this gift in
I Corinthians 12:23 means “to take a burden off of somebody else
and place it on yourself.”
• The word translated “ministry” in reference to this gift in
Romans 12:7 is the same word that is translated “deacon,”
meaning “servant.”
• This is the gift that must come alongside of leadership.
• Those with this gift have the responsibility to implement all that
the leadership is doing.
• The gift could be used in any conceivable way possible which
brings help and support to someone else!
I think I have this gift (circle one):
Yes
Maybe
No
MERCY:
The ability to do whatever needs to be done to extend
compassion and pity toward somebody in misery, grief, or need.
(Rom. 12:8)
People who have the gift of MERCY . . .
• Gravitate toward opportunities to help others in need in
practical ways.
• Devote significant time in prayer for those who are hurting.
• Tend to place the needs of others above their own.
• Genuinely feel other people’s pain and suffering.
• Find fulfillment when visiting people in need—in hospitals,
nursing homes, prisons, orphanages, villages, or wherever God
directs them.
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SPIRITUAL GIFTS
Other information regarding the gift of MERCY . . .
• The word translated “mercy” in Romans 12:8 is translated in
other places in the New Testament as “to have mercy upon; have
compassion on; have pity on.”
• The emphasis of the gift is not necessarily on giving, but the
compassion of the heart.
I think I have this gift (circle one):
Yes
Maybe
No
GIVING:
The ability to give your material goods and financial
resources with joy and eagerness, without any motives that would
benefit you. (Rom 12:8)
People who have the gift of GIVING . . .
• Purposely and purposefully plan to give more than the tithe
(10 percent) to see God’s kingdom furthered.
• Prefer their donations remain anonymous or low-profile.
• Strategically seek ways to increase their resources so they can give
more for the cause of Christ through their church.
• See their resources as tools for God’s use.
• Recognize God’s ultimate ownership of everything (including
their money).
Other information regarding the gift of GIVING . . .
• Romans 12:8 tells those with this gift to give with “simplicity.”
The word “simplicity” means “with singleness” (i.e. with one
“single” motive).
• The word “simplicity” is translated in other places in the
New Testament as “liberality” and “bountifulness.”
I think I have this gift (circle one):
Yes
Maybe
No
The SERVING Gifts “At-A-Glance”
LEADERSHIP:
SERVING:
MERCY:
GIVING:
SUPERVISES the saints.
SUPPORTS the leaders.
SYMPATHIZES with the hurting.
SUPPLIES for the needs.
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SPIRITUAL GIFTS
Now that you have familiarized yourself biblically with the Permanent Edifying
Gifts, list the spiritual gifts you think you may have in the space provided below.
(Start with the ones where you circled “yes.” Add the “maybes” if space permits.)
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
I think I might be able to use these spiritual gifts to serve others in the following ways:
Still not getting it???
If in the process of seeking to identify your spiritual gifts you find
yourself becoming frustrated or discouraged, utilize the K.I.S.S. (Keep
It Simple Saints!) principle. In other words, just do what you know! You
know that God wants you to “be filled with the Spirit” (Eph. 5:17-18)
and to “walk in the Spirit” (Gal. 5:16). When you are doing those two
things, the Spirit of God actually uses you according to the engiftment
He specifically gave to you.
The simplest way, then, to actually identify your spiritual gifts is to
make your aim every single day to be filled with and to walk in the
Spirit, and then simply look back over your shoulder to see how God
used you!
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SPIRITUAL GIFTS
An illustration for clarification . . .
A PORTRAIT OF CHRIST ON THE CANVAS OF THE CHURCH
Perhaps an illustration can help us to get our minds more fully wrapped
around God’s purpose and plan through the operation of spiritual gifts
in the local Body of believers.
Think of the PERMANENT EDIFYING GIFTS as eight primary colors
of paint on the Holy Spirit’s pallet. He desires to paint a portrait of the
Lord Jesus Christ that will be a masterpiece of glory for all the world to
see. The canvas He uses is the local church. It is Northwest Bible.
At the moment you were born into God’s family, the Holy Spirit reached
for His divine paint brush, and very carefully and strategically dipped
it into the color(s) on His pallet, to color you the exact hue and shade
you needed to be for your placement on His canvas. That is the concept
Paul conveys in I Corinthians 12:24 and 12:18 when he talks about how
God has “tempered” the members of the body, and “set” them in the
body in just the right place.
What an exciting realization! You are who you are, and you are where
you are by God’s sovereign design and choosing!
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“Being a servant means giving up the right
to control your schedule and allowing God
to interrupt it whenever He needs to.”
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HEART
Heart
Physiologically, each of us
has a unique heartbeat. Each person
has
a
slightly
different
pattern.
Each of us also has a unique emotional “heartbeat”
that races when we encounter activities, subjects or
circumstances that interest us. We instinctively
feel deeply about some things and not about others.
Where do those instincts come from? They come from
God. God had a purpose in giving you these inborn
interests that we often refer to as passion.
Our emotional heartbeat, or what we are
passionate about, is the second key to
understanding our SHAPE for
s e r v i c e .
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HEART
1. Ask yourself, what is it that I really love to do?
(Try to check three from the list below.)
I LOVE TO…
Pioneer
Improve
Organize
Repair
Serve/Help
Lead/Be in Charge
Excel
Persevere
Operate/Maintain
Follow the Rules
Acquire/Possess
Prevail
Design/Develop
Influence
Perform
Other
2. What people do I most enjoy serving?
Abused
Teenagers
Addicts
Singles
Adults
Young Couples
Men
Missionaries
Women
Hospitalized
Fathers
Divorced
Mothers
Disabled
Parents
Unemployed
Babies
Needy
Children
Other
3. What cause do I feel most passionate about?
Evangelism
Marriage
Edification
Parenting
Purity/Holiness
Excellence
Justice
Other
4. If God told me He would use me based solely on what I would love to
do, it would be
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ABILITIES
Abilities
Your
abilities
are
very
simply
the
natural talents
you were born
with. What is often
overlooked is that since
your natural abilities are
from God, they are just as
“important” and just as “spiritual” as your spiritual gifts. The
only real difference between the two
is when you received them. You
received your natural abilities when you
were born and you received your spiritual
gifts when you were born again.
Your abilities were not given just to make a living;
God gave them to you for your ministry. It is up to you
to identify and release your abilities for serving God.
God has a place at Northwest where your specialties can
shine
and
you
can
make
a
difference.
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ABILITIES
To discover God’s will for your service to Him, you should seriously examine what
you are good at. Of equal importance is determining what you’re not good at!
Circle the natural abilities in which you “excel,” and “love” doing:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
21.
22.
23.
24.
25.
26.
27.
28.
29.
30.
31.
32.
33.
34.
35.
36.
37.
38.
39.
40.
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Adapting: The ability to adjust, change, alter, modify.
Analyzing: The ability to examine, investigate, probe, evaluate.
Building: The ability to construct, make, assemble.
Coaching: The ability to prepare, instruct, train, equip, develop.
Communicating: The ability to share, convey, impart.
Competing: The ability to contend, win, battle.
Computing: The ability to add, estimate, total, calculate.
Connecting: The ability to link together, involve, relate.
Consulting: The ability to advise, discuss, confer.
Cooking: The ability to prepare, serve, feed, cater.
Coordinating: The ability to organize, match, harmonize.
Counseling: The ability to guide, advise, support, listen, care for.
Creating: The ability to envision, design, develop.
Decorating: The ability to beautify, enhance, adorn.
Designing: The ability to draw, create, picture, outline.
Developing: The ability to expand, grow, advance, increase.
Directing: The ability to aim, oversee, manage, supervise.
Editing: The ability to correct, amend, alter, improve.
Encouraging: The ability to cheer, inspire, support.
Engineering: The ability to construct, design, plan.
Facilitating: The ability to help, aid, assist, make possible.
Forecasting: The ability to predict, calculate, see trends, patterns and themes.
Implementing: The ability to apply, execute, make happen.
Improving: The ability to better, enhance, further, enrich.
Influencing: The ability to affect, sway, shape, change.
Landscaping: The ability to garden, plant, improve.
Leading: The ability to pave the way, direct, excel, win.
Learning: The ability to study, gather, understand, improve, expand self.
Managing: The ability to run, handle, oversee.
Mentoring: The ability to advise, guide, teach.
Motivating: The ability to provoke, induce, prompt.
Negotiating: The ability to discuss, consult, settle.
Operating: The ability to run mechanical or technical things.
Organizing: The ability to simplify, arrange, fix, classify, coordinate.
Performing: The ability to sing, speak, dance, play an instrument, act.
Pioneering: The ability to bring about something new, groundbreaking, original.
Planning: The ability to arrange, map out, prepare.
Promoting: The ability to sell, sponsor, endorse, showcase.
Recruiting: The ability to draft, enlist, hire, engage.
Repairing: The ability to fix, mend, restore, heal.
ABILITIES
41.
42.
43.
44.
45.
46.
47.
48.
49.
50.
Researching: The ability to seek, gather, examine, study.
Resourcing: The ability to furnish, provide, deliver.
Serving: The ability to help, assist, fulfill.
Strategizing: The ability to think ahead, calculate, scheme.
Teaching: The ability to explain, demonstrate, tutor.
Translating: The ability to interpret, decode, explain, speak.
Traveling: The ability to journey, visit, explore.
Visualizing: The ability to picture, imagine, envision, dream, conceptualize.
Welcoming: The ability to entertain, greet, embrace, make comfortable.
Writing: The ability to compose, create, record.
If you circled more than five of the 50 items, go back and pick the five that most
define you. List the five abilities that most reflect who you are:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Here are a couple of ways I can imagine God could possibly use my abilities:
19
“The race to be a leader is crowded, but
the field is wide open for those willing to
be servants.”
20
PERSONALITY
Personality
It is obvious that God has not used a cookie cutter to stamp out
people in a process of uniformity. He loves variety— just look
around! He created each of us with a unique combination of personality traits. God made introverts and extroverts. He made people
who love routine and those who love variety. He made some people
“thinkers” and others “feelers.” Some people work best when given
an individual assignment and others work better with a team.
There is no “right” or “wrong” temperament for ministry. The truth
is, we need all kinds of personalities to balance the church and give
it flavor.
Your personality will affect how and where you use your spiritual
gifts and abilities. For instance, two people may have the same gift
of teaching, but if one is introverted and the other is extroverted,
that gift will be expressed in different ways.
The next several pages are designed to help you to identify your
personality through a simple system of personality descriptors using
the acrostic L.E.A.D. (Leader, Expressor, Analyst, Dependable.)
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PERSONALITY
L
PERSONALITY DESCRIPTORS
LEADER
Leaders typically like to have a variety of projects, becoming bored with
repetitive work. They know what they want, will take action to achieve
it and like immediate results. They are risk-takers, change-makers, selfdetermined, competitive, problem-solvers, good decision-makers and
entrepreneurs. Leaders appear very direct, quick, indifferent, aloof
and not emotional.
When a person with an “L” personality is in a position of leadership, he/she will tend to...
Reward: Independence, decisiveness, directness, victory, results
Criticize: Hesitation, over-analysis, foot-dragging, over-sensitivity, weakness
E
EXPRESSOR
Expressors are typically drawn to group activities. They verbalize well
and are sometimes loud and talkative. They are gregarious,
aggressive, enthusiastic, entertaining, persuasive, optimistic,
fun loving, generous, helpful, dreamers, intuitive, touchers and trusting.
When a person with an “E” personality is in a position of leadership, he/she will tend to...
Reward: Creativity, enthusiasm, optimism, collaboration, passion
Criticize: Rule-making, caution, over-analysis, introversion, insensitivity
22
PERSONALITY
A
ANALYST
Analysts have high standards and lack trust. They collect data,
follow rules and recognize authority, making them good
company people. They are hard workers, detailed, calculating,
factual, accurate, precise, straightforward, questioning, nonaggressive, good organizers and diplomatic.
When a person with an “A” personality is in a position of leadership, he/she will tend to...
Reward: Accuracy, completeness, attention to detail, punctuality, dependability
Criticize: Mistakes, intuitive decision-making, lateness, spotty research,
exaggerated enthusiasm
D
DEPENDABLE
Dependables prefer the status quo, typically staying in one
place and focusing on tasks. They have close relationships
and do not like risk-taking. Dependables are patient, calm,
polite, warm, loyal, family-oriented, traditional, kind, good
listeners, team people, neat, organized, good performers and
good with details.
When a person with a “D” personality is in a position of leadership, he/she will tend to...
Reward: Cooperation, loyalty, humility, thoughtfulness, team focus
Criticize: Aggressiveness, pushiness, disruption, rudeness, erratic behavior
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PERSONALITY
LEAD PERSONALITY GRID
L E
AD
fast–paced
T
A
S
K
O
R
I
E
N
T
E
D
High: others
Low: self
High: others
High: self
Low: others
Low: self
Low: others
High: self
P
E
O
P
L
E
O
R
I
E
N
T
E
D
slow–paced
*High/Low describes expectations of perfection
Which of the four personality descriptors best identifies your unique personality?
Was there another personality descriptor that included other characteristics
that are also true of your unique personality?
I can see God using my unique personality in the following ways:
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EXPERIENCES
Experiences
One of the most overlooked factors in
determining the ministry God
has for us is our past experiences.
It is vital to understand that you
have been shaped by your experiences in life,
most of which were beyond your control.
God allowed them for His purpose
of molding you.
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EXPERIENCES
In determining your SHAPE for serving God, you should examine at least six
kinds of experiences from your past:
1. FAMILY Experiences.
What did I learn growing up in my family?
2. EDUCATIONAL Experiences.
What were my favorite subjects in school?
3. VOCATIONAL Experiences.
What jobs have I been most effective in and enjoyed the most?
4. SPIRITUAL Experiences.
What have been my most meaningful times with God?
5. MINISTRY Experiences.
How has God used me to serve Him in the past?
6. PAINFUL Experiences.
What problems, hurts, thorns, and trials have I learned from?
Note: Since our greatest life messages come out of our weaknesses, not our
strengths, we should pay close attention to what God has taught us in the
“school of hard knocks.” The fact is, our greatest ministry will most likely come
out of our greatest hurt.
If you really desire to be used of God, you must understand a powerful truth:
The very experiences that you have resented or regretted most in life—the ones
you’ve wanted to hide and forget—are the experiences God wants to use to help
others. They are your ministry!
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EXPERIENCES
Now take a few minutes to reflect on the experiences you listed above. Seek to
determine what were the three most significant and defining events. These would
be the three in which you have the most powerful memories and/or learnings. In
the space provided below, identify the experience, and the key thing God taught
you through it.
1.
2.
3.
• What is one positive moment in life where you have experienced so
much joy that God could possibly use it to help another person with
his/her life?
• What is one difficult area of life God has helped you through that you
think He could possibly use to help another person with his/her life?
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WRAPPING UP YOUR SHAPE PROFILE
Congratulations! You’ve made it to the final step on your SHAPE profile! You’ve
acquainted yourself with the five different aspects of your personal SHAPE, and
you’ve filled in the workbook pages associated with each one.
Now, it’s time to look over your answers on those pages to see if you can identify
some common thread or theme between all of them. Carefully look over your
answers and prayerfully consider how God might use your unique SHAPE to
make a difference in His Northwest Body, and in the world.
It may also be very helpful in this process to share your answers with someone
(such as a spouse, parent, friend, mentor or pastor) to see if they recognize any
patterns. Sometimes people who are close to us are able to see our SHAPE and
how God has wired us better than we can see ourselves. Don’t be afraid to share
with a trusted person in your life—they want to see you succeed in using your
God-given SHAPE for HIS glory!
One final consideration:
• If you knew you could do ANYTHING in service for God and you
wouldn’t fail…what would that be?
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“I would like to serve God, BUT…”
“I’m old.” So was Abraham.
“I’m insecure.” So was Jacob.
“I was abused.” So was Joseph.
“I can’t talk very well.” Neither could Moses.
“I was immoral in my past.” So was Rahab.
“I had an affair and made some terrible decisions.” So did David.
“I’ve had thoughts of suicide.” So did Elijah.
“I’m prone to depression.” So was Jeremiah.
“I’ve lost my spouse.” So did Ruth.
“I’m too eccentric.” So was John the Baptist.
“I’m impulsive.” So was Peter.
“I get anxious about things.” So did Martha.
“I’m timid.” So was Timothy.
“I’m not in good health.” Neither was Paul.
And yet this is a list of some of the people who have been the most greatly used
of God in the history of mankind! From a natural standpoint, they were nothing
but a bunch of misfits. But God used them in a supernatural way because they
refused to make excuses.
God can and will use all of us when we stop making excuses!
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“When the Communists took over Russia in 1917, they did not make
Christianity illegal. Their constitution, in fact, did guarantee freedom
of religion. However, what they did make illegal was for the Church
to do any ‘good works’….what was the result? Seventy years later,
the church was totally irrelevant to the communities in which it dwelt.
What Lenin did by diabolic design, most churches have done by default.
But the result is identical. Church is irrelevant to most people. Take
away service and you take away the Church’s power, influence and
evangelistic effectiveness. The power of the gospel is combining the lifechanging message with selfless service.”
Eric Swanson, of Leadership Network