DLM SERIES

1. DLM SERIES Discipleship, Leadership, Ministry

2. THE CALL TO SERVICE • Sometimes the idea of the “Call” of God is a vague one. We are sometimes Unsure what it really means in our lives. The bible uses the word “Call” when God decides to use a person in a specific way for his service. He positions & prepares a Person to play a specific part. He portions out a burden for that person to carry- sometimes it’s minimal, at other times it is seems overwhelming- but we can rest assured that God prepares those he calls. • God is the one who calls a person to position- He might use circumstance or others to bring about an open door- but the bottom line is that He alone appoints people. Sometimes in our zeal or eagerness we force ourselves into various places where God did not plan us to be. The result is always failure-sometimes It’s instant, at other times the failure is not seen till after a long time. • The Great news is that God has called all his people to do a work. He has a plan for all of us. We must seek God’s will regarding how he wants to use us in his ministry & service. We must offer what we have to the Lord for his use, but we must be fully submissive to his governing power to use us the way he wants us to. Our past experiences are valuable and a lot of times, it was the way God taught and prepared us for present work. But sometimes our past experiences can also be a hindrance if it is inflexible to God’s plan. What I mean is, sometimes God wants to use us beyond what we know and are familiar with. He wants to put us in positions and circumstances that are new to us, but if we are reluctant because we are not familiar with it, we end up being more of a hindrance than a blessing. In fact when we don’t venture pass our past familiarities and comfort level it is disobedience. • There are also instances in the Bible when the a position is taken from someone. The reason for this is because (1) The part of God’s plan that required that role has been completed. There is nothing that can be done with this. However we trust that when God closes a door, he opens another one. Or (2) the person has become unfaithful with the position that was entrusted with them. Sometimes when God places us in a position, he expects us to display the appropriate amount of effort, sacrifice, & obedience. When we do not, then we are no longer being good stewards of what we have been entrusted. Also sometimes when pride of being in such a position become too great to suppress and we feel that God & the people need us to get something done, we become a hindrance to growth. That attitude is the fastest way to get put on the “shelf” in regards to being used by he Lord.

3. THE CALL TO SERVICE • Ezekiel Chapters 2-3. • Jeremiah Chapter 1 • Isaiah chapter 6 • Exodus Chapters 3-4 • Acts 9:1-31 • Psalm 75:5-7 • (Gal 1:10) • Matthew 6:33 • Psalms 127:1 • Luke 16:15 • James 1:9-11  • Galatians 1:10 • Luke 6:45 • 1Samuel 16:7 • Matthew 23:12 • Proverbs 16:5 • 1Peter 4:10-11 • 1 Corinthians 4:2 • 1 Corinthians 13:1-3

4. A POEM When God wants to drill a man,and thrill a man,and skill a man;When God wants to mold a man,to play the noblest part,When He yearns with all His heartto create so great and bold a man,…that all the world will be amazed;WATCH His methods! - WATCH His ways! How He ruthlessly perfectswhom He Royally Elects!How He hammers him,and hurts him,…and with mighty blows,converts him…into trial shapes of claywhich only God understands. While his tortured heart is crying,and he lifts beseeching hands, How he bends but never breaks,when His good He undertakes.How He uses whom He chooses,and with every purpose fuses him,…by every act induces him,to try His splendor out;God knows what he’s about. -Anonymous THE CALL TO SERVICE

5. Things to Remember • Make it useful – You are not simply submitting a report or an assignment. You are teaching people in order to prepare them for ministry. • Your points must be rooted in Biblical Truth. Opinions are not the basis of our beliefs- truth is. • Listen to lessons of others. They might bring up something that is useful for your lesson. Teach progressively. Build on each other. • Be faithful in the time that has been given to you. • The material given to you is just to help you get started. Go beyond them and do your research. • Remember you are doing this lesson for a few reasons: • To prepare others for ministry • To get us practicing how to research the bible • To get us comfortable with articulating what we believe • To get us practicing how to put together a lesson. • To get comfortable with teaching a subject.

6. Pointers in Lesson-Making • Before the beginning • Pray • Pray • Pray • Ask God what he want to say to his people • Pointers for Preparing a Lesson • Find out what the Bible says about the subject. • Read the verses in context ( read a few verses before and after the given text) • Know your subject- be the “subject matter expert”. • Research background information • Must teach a balanced message- understand the counterpoints to your points • Take in account the people who will be listening • Write in your own words what you want to say before you make an outline. • Use illustrations • Use references from outside the Bible. • Connect your scripture with other scriptures in the Bible • A good introduction and conclusion is key to a good lesson. • Keep it simple but meaningful • Learn from you own lesson.

7. Pointers for Presenting a Lesson • PRAY, PRAY, PRAY! • Confidence is rooted in how well you know your subject • Have an outline but be sensitive to the Holy Spirit’s direction • Decide what teaching technique you want to use • Lecture • Group facilitation • Visual Aids? • Hand outs • Power points • Dry erase board • Take in account the people who will be listening • Connect with your audience. • Know the interests of your audience • Keep it interesting- you yourself don’t want to hear a boring presentation. • Practice your presentation- Listen to yourself • Be well prepared. Never “wing it”. (This is for God) • Have fun- when you love what you are doing, it shows