Notes - 17th September 06

Bible passages:
1 Samuel 17:1-11 and 32-51

Warren suggests that we need to discover our God-given, unique way of serving Him and has developed an acrostic for us to see what this may be for us, using the word "SHAPE":

Spiritual gifts
Heart
Abilities
Personality
Experience
Spiritual Gift and Heart were covered last week (#30)

Abilities.
These are natural talents you are born with. They are therefore different from the Spiritual Gifts that you receive on becoming a Christian. Your natural abilities have been there, and are developing, all through your life, whereas spiritual gifts are endowed by the Spirit only once you open your life to Jesus. All your abilities also come from God, and just because they are 'natural' abilities, they are just as important and can be as 'spiritual' in their effect, as any spiritual gift. If you don't feel you have any abilities, many studies have revealed that the average person possesses from 500-700 different skills and abilities. The challenge is: shall you use these abilities for serving God?

(Read 1 Samuel 17:1-11) Picture the Philistine champion, Goliath. Notice the detail of his physical appearance. How would you have felt about facing this man in combat? Notice the repeated emphasis on Goliath defying the people of Israel and the Lord (v10, v2, v25). Why is defiance of God so offensive, does it still happen today? How does it show itself in our culture and in our lives?

(Read 1 Samuel 17: 32-40) How does David use abilities that he has honed through the years for this moment to serve the Lord? Can you think of abilities that you could use for God's glory? Paul said,' Whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God'.

How can that give us a different view of our abilities and of using them for God? Warren says,'You are the only person on earth who can use your abilities. No one else can play your role because they don't have the unique shape that God has given you.' How has your past experience, mistakes and successes, shaped your abilities in the home, at work, in the church?

Personality.
We are all different types: introvert / extrovert / thinkers / feelers / impulsive / exuberant / melancholic. How would you describe your own dominant personality trait in a word? What do you think David's personality was like?

(Read 1 Samuel 17: 41-51) What are his key strengths? Notice how they are not outward or physical. Remember what we are told as to why God chose David (1 Samuel 16: 7). What does this say to us about what really matters in our lives?

Experiences.
Most of the experiences of our lives that shape us are beyond our control:

Family experiences: what did you learn growing up in your family?
Educational experiences: what were your favourite subjects?
Vocational experiences: what jobs have you been most effective in and enjoyed most?
Spiritual experiences: what have been your most meaningful times with God?
Ministry: how have you served God in the past?
Painful experiences: what hurts, problems have you most learned from?

Think: how could God use the experiences you have shared and thought about for His glory?

You will be most effective when you use your spiritual gifts and abilities in the area of your heart's desire, and in a way that best expresses your personality and experiences. The better the fit, the more successful you will be.

You may want to read Jesus' parable of the Talents (Matthew 25: verses14-30). That parable tells us that God expects us to make the most of what he gives us. We are to cultivate our gifts and abilities, keep our hearts aflame, grow our character and personality, and broaden our experiences so we will be increasingly more effective in our service.

Be warned that the servant who failed to use his talent had it taken from him. Fail to use what you have been given and you may lose it. Use the ability you've got and God will increase it - don't settle with a half-developed gift or a half-realised potential - God deserves your best.

Point to ponder
*What God-given ability or personal experience can I offer to my church?
*How can I make the best use of what God has given me?
*Think of a painful experience you have gone through that God could use to help others who are going through the same kind of situation.