This is a study to help you be a Disciple of Jesus Christ
Lesson 2
What is your unique role?
It is incredibly important to realise every believer has a ministry and gifting. However, the foremost calling of each believer is to be a Christian; that is, to be a reflection of Christ. Out of our devotion and connection to Christ God expects us to grow and be fruitful. John 15:8
John Maxwell has said, “Potential is the gift that God gives us. How we use it is what we give back to God”
Psa 100:2 Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing. (KJV)
The greatest privilege and greatest joy in the Christian life is to serve God Col 3:23-24
The ministry of all Christians
Every Christian has a responsibility to serve in the following areas regardless of our age, maturity or status. Interestingly, in the early days of the Church, the word “MINISTER” was only used as a verb; that is, a DOING word and was the function of every believer. It was only much later that the word became a noun; that is, an OFFICE word, and function of the professional clergy. God has called every one of us to be active in:
Witnessing: Sharing the good news about Jesus (Acts 1:8)
Working: Doing the work of the ministry, deeds to others (Eph 4:12)
Worshipping: Assembling with others to tell God we love him (Heb 13:15)
Wealth: Sharing in the ministry of giving finance into the kingdom (2Cor 9:7)
Warfare: Prayer is an important ministry (Eph 6: 1-3, 1 Thes 5:17, Col 4:2)
Every believer has a ministry
Please look at each of the following scriptures that define the roles of Christians and consider what you think they mean. (good time to grab a notepad and write your answers down)
Mat 5:16: What are the good works that you are doing that bless other people?
Eph 4:11-12: Who is meant to do the work of the ministry?
Eph 4:16: What happens is it important for each person to do their part?
Rom 12:6 We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man’s gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.
- Imagine what the church would be like if the:
- Prophets prophesied
- The servers served
- The teacher taught
- The encourages encouraged
- The givers gave
- The leader led
- The mercy givers showed mercy
Col 1:10 And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God,
The bible has divided all the gifting into four areas.
Christian Ministry which is the responsibility of every Christian
Church Ministries are the specific gifting that people can use to build the church
Charismatic Ministry these are the supernatural or gifts of the spirit which have to be cultivated
Christ’s Ministry is the fivefold gifts God gives to the church.
These are not an exhaustive list but a summary of some of the main gifts and ministries of the church
As you can see that God has blessed us with so many gifts within the church, this is why we need each other and we need everyone to function in the unique giftings that God has given them.
1 Corinthians 12:4 NIV There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit.
1 Corinthians 12:5 NIV There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord.
1 Corinthians 12:6 NIV There are different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in all men.