Skip to content

Workshop Outline

Flame of Provision Ministries - Service Preparation Workshop Outline Day 1:

  • Session 1: Discovering Your God-Given Purpose
  • Session 2: Listening to the Holy Spirit for Conviction

Day 2:

  • Session 3: Seeing Through the Eyes of Christ (focused on compassionate service)
  • Session 4: Living a Service-Centered Life (focused on practical steps for ministry)

Day 1: Introduction and Spiritual Foundations

Opening Icebreaker: “Two Truths and a Purpose”

  • Objective: Break the ice and help participants introduce themselves by reflecting on their current understanding of purpose.
  • Activity:
  • Each person shares two truths about themselves and what they believe their purpose in life or ministry is.
  • The group guesses which “purpose” aligns best with their current spiritual journey.
  • This helps the group ease into the deeper work of reflection and sets the tone for self-discovery.

Session 1: Discovering Your God-Given Purpose

  • Scriptural Focus: Romans 12:1, Matthew 28:19-20, Ephesians 2:10, Jeremiah 29:11, Proverbs 19:21, Psalm 138:8, 1 Peter 4:10, Acts 13:36, 2 Corinthians 5:20, Colossians 1:16.

Objective:

  • To explore the five God-given purposes: Worship, Fellowship, Discipleship, Ministry, and Mission, as outlined in A Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren.
  • To reflect on how these purposes align with participants’ personal callings.

Key Activities:

  • Reflection Worksheet: Participants fill out a worksheet identifying how they are currently living out the five purposes and where they feel they need growth.
  • Group Discussion: Each group discusses one of the five purposes in depth and reflects on how it impacts their service.
  • Scripture Study:
  • Romans 12:1: Offering ourselves as living sacrifices in worship.
  • Ephesians 2:10: Created in Christ for good works, prepared beforehand.
  • 1 Peter 4:10: Using our gifts to serve others.
  • Proverbs 19:21: God’s purpose will prevail.

Word Study & Cross-Reference:

  • Purpose (Greek: prothesis): God’s intentional design and goal for our lives. Cross-reference with Acts 13:36 (“David served the purpose of God in his generation”).
  • Fellowship (Greek: koinonia): Deep spiritual sharing and unity. Cross-reference with Acts 2:42, 1 John 1:7.

Small Group Breakout: Purpose Mapping

  • Objective: To help participants map out how their life experiences, talents, and passions align with the five purposes.
  • Activity:
  • Each group creates a “Purpose Map” using large paper and markers.
  • They identify key moments in their life where they felt God’s purpose being fulfilled or clarified.
  • Groups present their maps to the larger group, encouraging a collective reflection on living a purpose-driven life.

Leadership Breakout: Leading by Example

  • Objective: Equip leadership teams with strategies to guide others in discovering their purpose.
  • Activity:
  • Leaders practice active listening and asking reflective questions to help participants refine their sense of calling.
  • Leaders discuss how to model living out the five purposes in their leadership roles.
  • Scripture Study for Leaders:
  • Philippians 2:5-7: Leading with the humility of Christ.
  • 1 Timothy 4:12: Being an example in speech, conduct, love, faith, and purity.

Day 2: Spiritual Conviction and Service

Opening Icebreaker: “Pass the Vision”

  • Objective: Encourage participants to share their vision for service and build on one another’s goals.
  • Activity:
  • Participants form a circle, sharing a short vision or goal for their ministry.
  • Each person builds on the previous vision, creating a sense of collective mission.
  • This exercise emphasizes how personal visions align to build the Kingdom of God.

Session 2: Listening to the Holy Spirit for Conviction

  • Scriptural Focus: John 14:26, Galatians 5:16-17, Romans 8:14, Acts 13:2, 1 Corinthians 2:10, Isaiah 30:21, James 1:5, 1 Thessalonians 5:19, Acts 4:31, Luke 12:12.

Objective:

  • To teach participants how to listen to the Holy Spirit for personal conviction and guidance in ministry and life.
  • To emphasize that the Holy Spirit leads us into action, not just knowledge.

Key Activities:

  • Guided Prayer and Meditation: A session of quiet reflection focused on John 14:26. Participants ask the Holy Spirit to reveal areas of conviction for service.
  • Group Sharing: Participants share any insights or personal convictions they received during the prayer time.
  • Scripture Study:
  • Galatians 5:16-17: Walking by the Spirit versus living by the flesh.
  • Romans 8:14: Those who are led by the Spirit are children of God.
  • Acts 13:2: The Spirit speaks through prayer and fasting.

Word Study & Cross-Reference:

  • Conviction (Greek: elencho): To convince or bring to light. Cross-reference with John 16:8, where the Spirit convicts the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment.
  • Spirit (Greek: pneuma): The breath of God, representing life and guidance. Cross-reference with Ezekiel 36:27 (“I will put my Spirit within you”).

Small Group Breakout: Personal Conviction Journaling

  • Objective: Help participants discern and document the convictions God is placing on their hearts.
  • Activity:
  • Participants journal their reflections on personal convictions, focusing on where they feel the Holy Spirit is leading them in their service.
  • Each person shares one key conviction with their small group, followed by prayer and encouragement from others.
  • Leaders guide the discussion by helping participants connect their convictions to practical service.

Leadership Breakout: The Listening Leader

  • Objective: Teach leaders how to guide others in discerning the voice of the Holy Spirit.
  • Activity:
  • Leaders practice active listening techniques through role-playing scenarios where group members express uncertainty about their calling.
  • Leaders discuss how to foster a spirit of prayer and openness within their teams, ensuring the Holy Spirit’s guidance is prioritized.
  • Scripture Study for Leaders:
  • James 1:5: Asking God for wisdom in leadership.
  • Isaiah 30:21: Hearing the voice of the Lord guiding us in decision-making.

# Service Preparation Workshop Outline (Continued)

## Day 2: Spiritual Conviction and Service (Continued)

### Session 3: Seeing Through the Eyes of Christ

  • Scriptural Focus: Matthew 9:36, Philippians 2:5, 2 Corinthians 5:16-17, Ephesians 4:1-2, Matthew 25:35-40, Luke 19:10, 1 Peter 3:8, John 13:34-35, Colossians 3:12, Luke 10:33-37.

#### Objective:

  • To encourage participants to view the world, especially those they serve, through the compassionate eyes of Christ.
  • To reflect on how Christ’s humility and love provide a model for their own service.

#### Key Activities:

  • Vision Reflection: Participants reflect on Matthew 9:36, where Jesus saw the crowds and had compassion on them because they were harassed and helpless. Participants journal how they can adopt Christ’s vision of compassion in their daily lives and ministry.
  • Group Sharing: In small groups, participants share personal stories of when they felt they truly saw others through the eyes of Christ—whether through compassion, forgiveness, or humility.
  • Scripture Study:
  • Matthew 9:36: Jesus’ compassion for the crowds, seeing their need for guidance and care.
  • Philippians 2:5: The call to adopt the mindset of Christ—one of humility and selflessness.
  • Matthew 25:35-40: Serving “the least of these” is serving Christ Himself.
  • Luke 10:33-37: The parable of the Good Samaritan—showing mercy without prejudice.

#### Word Study & Cross-Reference:

  • Compassion (Greek: splanchnizomai): A deep, gut-level feeling of empathy or mercy. Cross-reference with Luke 7:13, where Jesus had compassion on the widow of Nain.
  • Humility (Greek: tapeinophrosyne): Lowliness of mind, not thinking too highly of oneself. Cross-reference with Philippians 2:8, where Christ humbled Himself by becoming obedient to death, even death on a cross.

### Small Group Breakout: “Vision into Action”

  • Objective: Develop a practical plan for serving others through the compassionate lens of Christ.
  • Activity:
  • Each small group identifies a specific community or demographic in their local area where they feel called to serve (e.g., homeless ministry, youth outreach, elderly care).
  • Groups discuss how they can embody Christ’s love and compassion in their service, and create an action plan for outreach.
  • These action plans should include practical ways to serve (meeting physical needs) and spiritual ways to minister (prayer, sharing the Gospel, building relationships).
  • Groups present their action plans to the larger group, receiving feedback and encouragement.

### Leadership Breakout: “Compassionate Leadership”

  • Objective: Equip leaders to serve and guide others with the heart of Christ, particularly focusing on humility and empathy.

  • Activity:

  • Leaders reflect on moments when they led with compassion and how it impacted those they were serving.

  • They discuss practical ways to maintain a servant’s heart, even in difficult leadership situations.
  • Leaders practice scenarios where they must respond to challenges with Christ-like compassion—such as a team member struggling with burnout, or someone feeling disconnected from their purpose.

  • Scripture Study for Leaders:

  • John 13:34-35: The new commandment to love one another as Christ has loved us.

  • 1 Peter 3:8: Calling to be compassionate, humble, and loving toward one another.
  • Ephesians 4:1-2: Walking in humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love.

### Session 4: Living a Service-Centered Life

  • Scriptural Focus: James 2:14-17, Matthew 20:26-28, 1 Corinthians 9:19, Galatians 5:13, Romans 12:11, John 15:12-13, Colossians 3:23-24, 1 Timothy 6:18, Hebrews 13:16, Matthew 5:16.

#### Objective:

  • To integrate the lessons of the workshop into a sustainable, service-centered life that flows from faith.
  • To encourage participants to take action in their everyday lives, allowing their faith to result in tangible service.

#### Key Activities:

  • Action Reflection: Participants reflect on James 2:14-17 and journal ways they can translate their faith into concrete actions of service. They should identify specific acts of service they can commit to over the next month.
  • Group Discussion: Small groups discuss how to stay accountable to living a service-centered life. This may include setting up regular check-ins with group members or forming prayer partnerships for encouragement.
  • Scripture Study:
  • James 2:14-17: Faith without works is dead—how can we ensure our faith leads to meaningful action?
  • Matthew 20:26-28: Jesus calls us to be servants, just as He came to serve and not to be served.
  • John 15:12-13: The greatest love is to lay down one’s life for others—a call to self-sacrifice in service.

#### Word Study & Cross-Reference:

  • Service (Greek: diakonia): Ministry, attending to the needs of others. Cross-reference with Matthew 25:44, where service is recognized as a marker of the Kingdom.
  • Good Works (Greek: ergon agathon): Actions that reflect God’s goodness and righteousness. Cross-reference with Ephesians 2:10, where we are created for good works prepared by God.

### Closing Session: Commissioning and Next Steps

#### Objective:

  • To conclude the workshop by commissioning participants to go out and serve with purpose, conviction, and the vision of Christ.

#### Key Activities:

  • Group Reflection: Each participant shares a key takeaway from the workshop—something they’ve learned about themselves, their purpose, or how they see the world through Christ’s eyes.
  • Commissioning Prayer: Leadership prays over each participant, commissioning them for service. This prayer emphasizes the Holy Spirit’s empowerment, the example of Christ, and the Father’s purpose for their lives.
  • Next Steps:
  • Encourage participants to remain in fellowship and accountability through small group check-ins or follow-up meetings.
  • Provide resources for ongoing growth, such as recommended reading or scripture studies to help them continue developing their service-centered life.

#### Scripture Study for Commissioning:

  • Matthew 28:19-20: The Great Commission—our call to go out into the world and make disciples, teaching them to obey everything Jesus has commanded.
  • Acts 1:8: Empowered by the Holy Spirit to be witnesses to the ends of the earth.
  • Romans 12:11: Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.

### Workshop Materials

  • Reflection Journals: For personal conviction, vision, and action reflection.
  • Action Plan Templates: To help participants map out their service commitments.
  • Scripture Handouts: With cross-references and word studies for each session.
  • Small Group Discussion Guides: For leaders to facilitate reflection and sharing.
  • Commissioning Cards: A card with a written commissioning prayer and key scriptures, to remind participants of their call to serve.

## Word Studies and Cross-References Overview

### 1. Purpose (Greek: prothesis)

  • Meaning: A plan or intention; God’s overarching design for our lives.
  • Key Scripture: Ephesians 1:11 – “In Him, we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of Him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of His will.”
  • Cross-References: Acts 13:36, 2 Timothy 1:9.

### 2. Conviction (Greek: elencho)

  • Meaning: To convince or bring to light; often used for the work of the Holy Spirit in making one aware of their need for God.
  • Key Scripture: John 16:8 – “When He comes, He will convict the world concerning sin, righteousness, and judgment.”
  • Cross-References: Titus 1:9, James 5:16.

### 3. Compassion (Greek: splanchnizomai)

  • Meaning: Deep empathy or mercy, typically from the innermost part of one’s being.
  • Key Scripture: Matthew 9:36 – “When He saw the crowds, He had compassion on them because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.”
  • Cross-References: Luke 7:13, Mark 1:41.

### 4. Service (Greek: diakonia)

  • Meaning: Ministry or attending to the needs of others, often with a servant’s heart.
  • Key Scripture: Matthew 20:26-28 – “Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant… the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve.”
  • Cross-References: Luke 22:27, 1 Peter 4:10.

### 5. Good Works (Greek: ergon agathon)

  • Meaning: Actions that reflect the goodness and righteousness of God.
  • Key Scripture: Ephesians 2:10 – “For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”
  • Cross-References: 2 Timothy 3:17, Matthew 5:16.