chosen | holy | called

CHOSEN | HOLY | CALLED declaring the goodness of God

“But . . . you are a chosen people. You are royal priests, a holy nation, God’s very own possession. As a result you can show others the goodness of God, for he called you out

of the darkness and into his wonderful light.” (1 Peter 2:9, NLT)

PRAYER ROOM INSTRUCTIONS AND PROMPTS

for building your own prayer stations and room

Chosen | Holy | Called

declaring the goodness of God

Sogladyoucouldparticipateinthe“Chosen/Holy/Called….OutoftheDarknessandintoHisLightPrayerRoom2019”!Ihavemadeyouatake-homecopyoftoday’sstationsincaseyouwishtorecreatetheseinYOURchurch.

AprayerroomisaplacetoengagewithGod,wecanfeelHispresenceaswelearntogrow.Prayerstationsareawayoffiringupnewideasorwaystopray,wecanneverlearnenough.IbelieveGodenjoysspendingthistimewithusasmuchasweenjoyspendingitwithHim.Ithinkofmysonwhooftensays,“Canwedosomethingfunasafamily?”IbelievethishappenswhenweencounterGodinourprayerrooms.CometoHimasachildwhowantstojustcrawlupintotheFather’slapandspendsometimetogether.

Let’skeepcreatingandfindingroomtopray!

~YoursisterinChrist,MoniqueTatsu

(Thisismyemailaddressifyoueverneedideas,encouragementorwouldliketoshareyourstationswithme!moniquetatsu@yahoo.ca)

RoomtoPray:Think,Do,Remember

Asyoucontinuetocreate:THINK

Reflection

• Whatworked,whatdidn’t?

• Whoattendedanddidyoureachyourtargetparticipants?I.e.Women,Men,Youth,Seniors,Visitorsetc.

• Wherepeoplecomfortablewithlocation?

1stTimer?

Ifyouhaveneverhostedorplannedaprayerroom,dosomeresearch.Therearelotsofresourcessuchas:

• theladiesinthisroom!• theCBWOQwebsitehttps://baptistwomen.com/andvariousonlineappslikePinterestetc.Idon’tclaimtogetstationsallbymyself,therearelotsofonlineresourcesreadytoshare.• Shareyourideasandthoughtswithothersinyourchurch.Taketheideasyoufindandmakethemyourown,tosuityourspaceandparticipantsneeds.Asyoucontinuetocreate:DO

Lotsofpraying,planningandexecution.

Whentheideascometohostanewprayerroom,praythatthethemewillreflectthecurrentissuesordesiresyourchurchmaybefacingorneededatthattime.Discusstheideaswithyourgroupandchooseathemeverseoracertainpassage.RecitethisverseandthemeandrememberthattheHolySpiritwillbeyourguide.Praythatthewordschosenwillbeyourguidetothestationsthatyoucreate.

GatheryoursuppliesandGo!HaveFunwithit,itshouldbejustasrewardingforyouasforyourparticipants.

Asyoucontinuetocreate:REMEMBER1. RememberthatPrayerStationsmaynotbeforeveryone.1. RemembertoPRAY!Everystep,fromthefirstideaofcreationtothelastpersontoleave.Prayforthosewhowillbeeither(orboth)theplannersandtheparticipants.2. Remembertoshare!Wecanallbenefitfromeachother’sexperiences.MOSTIMPORTANTLY!RemembertoUseGod’sWordIt’seasytogetcaughtupinourownideasandcreativitybutalwaysrememberWho’swordsweneedtouse.Showthisinyourstationsthatallworkisbible-based.

AHolyNationItemsneeded:

• Tablewithtablecloth• Chair• Basketwithpens/markers• Preparedred,orangeandyellowflamesonfishingwire(seepicturebelow)• Cutoutofdove(ifcanfindadovekite?)• Hooptiedtodoveasshown• Framedinstructions(Thisoneisbestusedintwoframes)

Instructions:

1Peter2:9Butyouareachosenpeople.Youarearoyalpriest,aholynation,God’sveryownpossession.Asaresult,youcanshowothersthegoodnessofGod,forHecalledyououtofthedarknessintoHiswonderfullight.(NLT)

PeteruseslanguagethathadbeenusedtodescribeGod'sspecialrelationshipwithIsrael.JustasIsraelwas,we—believers,thechurch—arealsoachosenrace.UnlikeIsrael,though,wearenotaraceinthesenseofourfamily,ethnicity,skincolor,orcountryoforigin.Weareaspiritualrace,inthesensethat,inChrist,weshareasinglespiritualFather.Inthatsamemeaning,wearea"holynation,"aspecificgroupofpeoplecalledoutandsetapartfromallothernations.Godhas

formedthisnation,thisrace,thispriesthoodtotakepossessionofus.

WebelongtoHim.

TheHolySpiritisoftensymbolizedasadoveoraflame.Whatevertheform,theHolySpiritconnectsustogetherasaspiritual,holynation.

1)Chooseastrandofflames.

2)Ontheredflamewritethename(s)ofyourchurch,prayergroup,orfaithcommunity.

3)Ontheorangeflamewritethename(s)ofyourschool,work,communitygroupetc.

4)Ontheyellowflamewritethename(s)ofthoseinyourclosecircle,whetherfamily,friends,mentorsetc.

5)Hangthestrandofflamesonthedovemobile.PrayasyouexperiencetheHolySpiritmovingthroughtheflameshere,letthesenamesremindusthatweare

connectedandlinkedtogetherasGod’sHolyNation.

AHOLYNATIONInstructions:

1Peter2:9Butyouareachosenpeople.Youarearoyalpriest,aholynation,God’sveryownpossession.Asaresult,youcanshowothersthegoodnessofGod,forHecalledyououtofthe

darknessintoHiswonderfullight.(NLT)

PeteruseslanguagethathadbeenusedtodescribeGod'sspecialrelationshipwithIsrael.JustasIsraelwas,we—believers,thechurch—arealsoachosenrace.UnlikeIsrael,though,wearenotaraceinthesenseofourfamily,ethnicity,skincolor,orcountryoforigin.Weareaspiritualrace,inthesensethat,inChrist,weshareasinglespiritualFather.Inthatsamemeaning,wearea"holynation,"aspecificgroupofpeoplecalledoutandsetapartfromall

othernations.Godhasformedthisnation,thisrace,thispriesthoodtotakepossessionofus.

WebelongtoHim.

TheHolySpiritisoftensymbolizedasadoveoraflame.Whatevertheform,theHolySpiritconnects

ustogetherasaspiritual,holynation.

1)Cutastrandoffishingwireabout1metrelong.

2)Ontheredflamewritethename(s)ofyourchurch,prayergroup,orfaithcommunity.

3)Ontheorangeflamewritethename(s)ofyourschool,work,communitygroupetc.

4)Ontheyellowflamewritethename(s)ofthoseinyourclosecircle,whetherfamily,friends,mentors

etc.

5)Tapeyourflamestothestrandliketheexampleshownandtieortapethestrandofflamesonthedovemobile.PrayasyouexperiencetheHolySpiritmovingthroughtheflameshere,letthesenames

remindusthatweareconnectedandlinkedtogetherasGod’sHolyNation.

YouareChosen

"IhavewrittenyournamesonthepalmsofMyhands."Isaiah49:16

Itemsneeded:

• Pictureaboveblownuptopostersize• Marker/sharpiesincuponsmallpedestaltable• Framedinstructionsorcanhangonwallbesideposter

Instructions:

YouAreChosen

1.Writeyournameonthispictureofhands.2.PrayinreflectiontotheChristianbeliefthatGodhasYOURnamewrittenonHishands.

YouarewantedbyGod,chosenandcalledbyname.

YouAreChosen

1.Writeyournameonthispictureofhands.2.PrayinreflectiontotheChristianbeliefthatGodhasYOURnamewrittenonHishands.

YouarewantedbyGod,chosenandcalledbyname.

Called-ThisLittleLightofMineYouarechosenwithapurpose.Youarebroughtoutofthedarknessofsinandgiventhe

wonderfullightofsalvationsoyoucanhelpothers.Yousee,youareblessedtobeablessingandgivenlighttoshinetoothers.Mostofall,youarecalledtopointotherstotheone,true,

never-interruptedlight—AlmightyGod!Itemsneeded:

• Mediumtablewithtwochairs• Cutoutpapercandles• Pencilcrayons,crayonsormarkers• Tape• Backboardtoattachthecandlestowithheading“ThisLittleLightofMine”(decoidea

forboardistoattachmusicsheetwith“Thislittlelightofmine”onitorapictureoftheworld.)Havecandlesgoingaroundit.

• Framedinstructions

Instructions:

ThisLittleLightofMineAsGod'sHolySpiritlivesinyou,HegivesyouthepowertobringGod'sloveandlighttoourworld.AsyouliveforJesus,otherpeopleseeyourlightandunderstandbetterjustwhatGod

wantsforthem,too.

Readthefollowingverses:

“ForGod,whosaid,‘Letlightshineoutofdarkness’,madeHisLightshineinourheartstogiveusthelightoftheknowledgeofthegloryofGodinthefaceofChrist."2Corinthians4:6

“GodisLight;inHimthereisnodarkness.”1John1:5

“Letyourlightshinebeforemen,thattheymayseeyourgooddeedsandpraiseyourFatherinHeaven.”Matthew5:16

Takeapapercandle,writeyournameonitandcolourintheflame.PrayingasyoucolourthattheLordwillsustainyouthroughprayeranddedicationtokeepingyourcandlelitforalltosee.

Tapeittheboardforalltosee.

Watchaswecontinuetogrowthenumberoflights.

Imaginehowthiswouldworkoutintherealworld.YouarejustoneLIGHTforotherstosee.

“Yousee,youhavealotofpower,ifyoukeepyourlightstrong.”“Butwhenmanylightscometogether,trulygreatthingscanhappen.”

ThisLittleLightofMine

Instructions:

AsGod'sHolySpiritlivesinyou,HegivesyouthepowertobringGod'sloveandlighttoourworld.AsyouliveforJesus,otherpeopleseeyourlightandunderstandbetterjustwhat

Godwantsforthem,too.Readthefollowingverses:

“ForGod,whosaid,‘Letlightshineoutofdarkness’,madeHisLightshineinourheartstogiveusthelightoftheknowledgeof

thegloryofGodinthefaceofChrist."2Corinthians4:6“GodisLight;inHimthereisnodarkness.”1John1:5

“Letyourlightshinebeforemen,thattheymayseeyourgooddeedsandpraiseyourFatherinHeaven.”Matthew5:16

Takeapapercandle,writeyournameonitandcolourintheflame.PrayingasyoucolourthattheLordwillsustainyou

throughprayeranddedicationtokeepingyourcandlelitforalltosee.

Tapeittheboardforalltosee.Watchaswecontinuetogrowthenumberoflights.Imaginehowthiswouldworkoutintherealworld.

YouarejustoneLIGHTforotherstosee.“Yousee,youhavealotofpower,ifyoukeepyourlight

strong.”“Butwhenmanylightscometogether,trulygreatthingscan

happen.”

God’sLightwillShineThrough“Thelightshinesinthedarkness,andthedarknesshasnotovercomeit.”John1:5

“Asaresult,youcanshowothersthegoodnessofGod,forHecalledyououtofthedarknessintoHiswonderfullight.”1Peter2:9

Item’sneeded:

• Mediumtablewithtablecloth• Chair• Varioushurricanelanterns• Clearvinylpieceswithpeelablebacking(Staples?)• Sharpies• Framedinstructions

Instructions:

“Thelightshinesinthedarkness,andthedarknesshasnotovercomeit.”John1:5

Intheverseabove,Christisdescribedasthelightthatwillnotbeovercomebydarkness.Thereforewhateverdarknessweface,Christ’slightwillshinethrough.

WhereinyourlifedoyouneedChrist’stoshine?

Whatdarknesstoyouwanttonameinordertoreceiveclarityandstrength?

Writethoseprayersonavinylpiece.Peelthebackingoffandplaceonthelanternsurroundingthecandle.

MayChrist’slightshinethroughyourprayersandgiveyoupeace.(seebelowforprintedinstructions)

God’sLightwillShineThrough

“Thelightshinesinthedarkness,andthedarknesshasnotovercomeit.”John1:5

Intheverseabove,Christisdescribedasthelightthatwillnotbeovercomebydarkness.Therefore,whateverdarknesswe

face,Christ’slightwillshinethrough.

Instructions:

1. Praythroughthefollowingquestions:

WhereinyourlifedoyouneedChrist’stoshine?Whatdarknesstoyouwanttonameinorderto

receiveclarityandstrength?

2. Writethoseprayersonavinylpiece.3. Peelthebackingoffandplaceonthelantern

surroundingthecandle.

MayChrist’slightshinethroughyourprayersandgiveyoupeace.

GospelShoes–Youarecalled

Itemsneeded:

• Acollectionofshoes,includingslippers,flip-flops,trainers,partyshoesandwalkingboots

• Amediumtablewithtablecloth• Chair• Framedinstructions• Address-labelstickersandpens

Instructions:YouarecalledtodeclareHisGoodness,sohowreadyareyoutotellothersthegoodnewsofJesus?comfortableslippers-doyouneedtogooutofyourcomfortzone?fasttrainers-doyouneedtoslowdowntoallowtimetoshareyourfaith?flip-flops-isyourfaithrobustenoughforthelonghaul?Rainbootsorworkboots-areyoureadytogetyourfeetdirty?

1. Lookattheshoesonthetableandthinkaboutwhat'gospelshoes'areyou

wearing.2. Lookattheshoesyouarewearingtodayand“laythembeforeGod”.3. Asyoupray,askHimtofityouwiththeshoesthatwillmakeyoureadyto

shareyourfaithinallkindsofcircumstances.4. Writethefollowingverseonasticker,andstickitinsideyourshoe,to

remindyouofyourcallingtosharethegoodnews.

"Yourdesiretotellthegoodnewsaboutpeace

shouldbelikeshoesonyourfeet."Eph6:15

GospelShoesInstructions:

YouarecalledtodeclareHisGoodness,sohowreadyareyoutotellothersthegoodnewsofJesus?

comfortableslippers-doyouneedtogooutofyourcomfortzone?

fasttrainers-doyouneedtoslowdowntoallowtimetoshareyourfaith?

flip-flops-isyourfaithrobustenoughforthelonghaul?

Rainbootsorworkboots-areyoureadytogetdirtyandworkhard?

1. Lookattheshoesaroundthetableandthinkaboutwhat'gospelshoes'areyouwearinginyourlife.

2. Look at the shoes you are wearing today and “lay thembeforeGod”.

3. As you pray, ask Him to fit you with the shoes that willmake you ready to share your faith in all kinds ofcircumstances.

4. Write the following verse on a sticker, and stick it insideyour shoe, to remind you of your calling to share the goodnews.

"Yourdesiretotellthegoodnewsaboutpeace

shouldbelikeshoesonyourfeet."Eph6:15

Loved-OutofthedarknessandintoHISlight

Suppliesneeded:

• buildalargefree-standingcross(ourswasmadeoutof4x4s)• Paintthecrossblack,useredpaintpenstowritethebadlistononesideofthecross

(fillthecrosswithwordsevenifyouneedtorepeatafew)Usewhitepaintpenstowritethegoodlistontheothersideofthecross(fillthecrosswithwordsevenifyouneedtorepeatafew)

• Smalltablewithframedinstructionsorcanhanginstructionsonthewall

(Setthecrosssomewherethatworshipershaveaccesstobothsides)

• UndesiredList:Unloved,Unlovable,Unworthy,Ugly,Worthless,Useless,Forgettable,Nogood,Used,Overlooked,Ignored,Hated,Outcast,Stupid,Guilty,Forgotten,Alone

• DesiresoftheHeartList:Loved,Chosen,Worthy,Beautiful,Valuable,Useful,Important,Holy,Noticed,Loved,Liked,Invited,Picked,Forgiven,Remembered,Family,ChildofGod,Saint,Changed,Reborn,Renewed,Restored,Loved,Loved,Loved,Respected,Welcome,Transformed

Instructions:

ThisishowGodshowedHisloveamongus:HesentHisoneandonlySonintotheworldthatwemightlivethroughHim.Thisislove:notthatwelovedGod,butthatHelovedusandsentHisSonasanatoningsacrificeforoursins.1John4:9-10(NIV)

ItisthecrosswhereGodprovedHisloveforus.Butmanytimesitishardforustofeelveryloved.ThewordsofourownmindandthewordsofothersaremorerealtousthanthewordsofGod.

Lookatthefrontsideofthecross(thesidewiththeredwords).Readthewordsthatarewrittenthere.Asyoucometoawordthatyoufeelistrueaboutyourlife,orthatothershavecalledyouorhavemadeyoufeel,thenplaceyourhandonthatword.

Thebeautyofthecrossisthatnoneofthosewordsaretrueaboutyou.Godlovesyouandprovedthatloveinthecross.ThismeansthatyouareimportanttoGod.

Movetotheothersideofthecrossandreadthewordstherethataretrueaboutyou.PlaceyourhandonanythatarehardtobelieveandaskGodtospeakthetruthofthosewordstoyoursoul.Listen…HeiscallingyououtofthedarknessandintoHislight.

Loved-OutofthedarknessandintoHISlightThisishowGodshowedHisloveamongus:HesentHisoneandonlySonintotheworldthatwemightlivethroughHim.Thisislove:notthatwelovedGod,butthatHelovedusandsentHisSonasanatoningsacrificeforoursins.1John4:9-10(NIV)

ItisthecrosswhereGodprovedHisloveforus.Butmanytimes,itishardforustofeelveryloved.Thewordsofourownmindandthewordsofothersaremorerealtousthanthe

wordsofGod.

1) Lookatthefrontsideofthecross(thesidewiththeredwords).Readthewordsthatarewrittenthere.Asyou

cometoawordthatyoufeelistrueaboutyourlife,orthatothershavecalledyouorhavemadeyoufeel,thenplace

yourhandonthatword.

Thebeautyofthecrossisthatnoneofthosewordsaretrueaboutyou.Godlovesyouandprovedthatloveinthecross.

ThismeansthatyouareimportanttoGod.

2) Movetotheothersideofthecrossandreadthewordstherethataretrueaboutyou.PlaceyourhandonanythatarehardtobelieveandaskGodtospeakthetruthofthose

wordstoyoursoul.3) Listen…Listen…Heiscallingyououtofthedarknessand

intoHislight.

OutoftheDarknessandintotheLightItemsNeeded:

• bigscreenorhangingsheetthatisblack• alargecrossbehinditlitupbythelight• alightonstandbehindthecrosswithswitchthatisonacordsoitcanbeattachedto

sideofthesheet/screen,shouldcastalightedcrossontheblack(Ifnoroomforbigscreenroom,cansetupsmallerversionontable)

Instructions:

1Peter2:9Butyouareachosenpeople.Youarearoyalpriest,aholynation,God’sveryownpossession.Asaresult,youcanshowothersthe

goodnessofGod,forHecalledyououtofthedarknessintoHiswonderfullight.(NLT)

1) Takeamomenttostareattheblacknessofthesheet/screen.ThinkaboutwhatdarknessGodhasbroughtyououtofinyour

life.2) Turntheswitchonthatishangingontheright(orleft)ofthe

blackness.

3)SeethatHehascalledyououtofthedarknessintoHislight.

4)PraiseHiminprayerthatHehascalledyouandyounolongerhavetobeindarkness.ThankHimthatyoucanshowothersthegoodnessof

God.

(Whenyouarefinished,pleaseturnbackoffthelightforthenextperson)

OutoftheDarknessandintotheLightInstructions:

1Peter2:9Butyouareachosenpeople.Youarearoyalpriest,aholynation,God’sveryownpossession.Asaresult,youcanshowothersthe

goodnessofGod,forHecalledyououtofthedarknessintoHiswonderfullight.(NLT)

1) Takeamomenttostareattheblacknessofthesheet/screen.ThinkaboutwhatdarknessGodhas

broughtyououtofinyourlife.

2) Pushtheredbuttononthecordthatisat

thesideoftheblackness.

3)SeethatHehascalledyououtofthedarknessintoHislight.

4)PraiseHiminprayerthatHehascalledyouandyounolongerhavetobeindarkness.ThankHimthatyoucanshowothersthegoodnessofGod.

(Whenyouarefinished,pleaseturnoffthelightforthenextperson)

RememberWhyYouAreWhereYouAre!Declarethepraisesofhimwhocalledyououtofdarknessintohis

wonderfullight.1Peter2:9—

ItemsNeeded:

• MediumTablewithtablecloth• Chair• Maps,globeetc.• Pinswithcolourheadsorpushpins• Framedinstructions• Optionaldeco–backdropboardwithwordsbelowtoguide

meditationideas

Instructions:

It'seasytoforgetwhywearethepeopleweareandwhywearehere.Regularlyweneedtoaskourselvessomequestionslikethese:

Whatisthepurposeofmylife?

WhyhasGodplacedmewhereIam?

WhyhasGodplacedmeinthisjob,inthisschoolorinthiscommunity?

WhyamIlivingwhereIam?

Whyisourchurchlocatedinthiscityorinthatsuburborinaruralarea?

ThekeyreasonwhyGodcallsusoutoftheshadowsintohiswonderfullightisthat"wemaydeclareHispraises."

Goddidnotcallustobehischildrensothatwecouldtakeupspace.Hedidnotcallustoalifeofleisure.GodcalledusforHISglory.Whereveryoufindyourself

today,askGodtoshowyouhowtodeclareHispraises.

RememberWhyYouAreWhereYouAre!

MeditationandPrayer

It'seasytoforgetwhywearethepeopleweareandwhywearehere.Regularlyweneedtoaskourselvessome

questionslikethese:

Whatisthepurposeofmylife?

WhyhasGodplacedmewhereIam?

WhyhasGodplacedmeinthisjob,inthisschoolorinthiscommunity?

WhyamIlivingwhereIam?

Whyisourchurchlocatedinthiscityorinthatsuburborinaruralarea?

ThekeyreasonwhyGodcallsusoutoftheshadowsintoHiswonderfullightisthat"wemaydeclareHispraises."

GoddidnotcallustobeHischildrensothatwecouldtakeupspace.Hedidnotcallustoalifeofleisure.GodcalledusforHISglory.Whereveryoufindyourselftoday,

askGodtoshowyouhowtodeclareHispraises.

RememberWhyYouAreWhereYouAre!

DeclarethepraisesofHimwhocalledyououtofdarknessintoHiswonderfullight.

~1Peter2:9Instructions:

1. Takeapinforthemaps(oranarrowstickerforthemapbook)andmarkwhereyouliveononeofthemaps.

2. TaketimetoprayoverwhereGodhasplacedyou.

3. YouareherefortheverypurposetodeclareHispraises.Readandmeditateonthefollowingprayer.

Prayer

Lord, help me to declare your praiseswherever you have placedme. Reveal tometoseeyourpurposeformylife,andmakemefaithfulinmycalling.ForJesus'sake,Amen

SpiritualGifts“Goddoesnotchoosethegifted.GodgiftsthoseGodcallsandchooses.

Thechallengeistorespondtothiscall.”

ItemsNeeded:

• Wrappedgiftsontableasasymbol–objectlesson• Smalltablewithtableclothandchairbeside• Printedprayer• Framedinstructions• BackgroundboardwithInformationbelowaboutSpiritualGifts

Instructions:

“Goddoesnotchoosethegifted.GodgiftsthoseGodcallsandchooses.

Thechallengeistorespondtothiscall.”

“Youdidnotchooseme;Ichoseyouandappointedyoutogoandbearmuchfruit,thekindoffruitthatendures.AndsotheFatherwillgiveyouwhateveryouaskhiminmyname.”

John15.16

1. TakeafewmomentstoprayandmeditateonwhatyourGodgivengiftsare.

2. Usetheprayerprovidedtoguideyou,orprayonyourown.3. ListenforGod’swordstospeaktoyourheart.

4. Thinkabouthowyoucanusethesegiftstotouchothers.

DearHeavenlyFather,openmyheartandmindtoexperienceYourunconditionallove.

RevealtomeandempowermewiththegiftsofyourSpiritsothatImay

respondtoYourcallinjoyfulservice.

InspireandblessmesothatthefruitsofYourSpiritmaybeevidenced

inallthatIsayanddo.Amen.

Takeaway:

You...I...weallhavebeengiftedbyGod.

Matthew’sgospel25:14-29tellsus:“Hegavetoeachoneaccordingtohisability...Fortoeverypersonwhohassomething,evenmorewillbegiven,andhewillhavemorethanenough;butthepersonwhohasnothing,eventhelittlethathehaswillbetakenawayfromhim.”

WecanlearnmuchfromthisFABLE:

Agroupofanimalsdecidedtoimprovetheirgeneralwelfarebystartingaschool.Thecurriculumincludedswimming,running,climbingandflying.Theduck,anexcellentswimmer,wasdeficientinotherareas,sohemajoredinclimbing,runningandflying,muchtothedetrimentofhisswimming.Therabbit,asuperiorrunner,wasforcedtospendsomuchofhistimeinotherclassesthathesoonlostmuchofhisfamedspeed.Thesquirrel,whohadbeenrated“A”asaclimberdroppedtoa“C”becausehisinstructorsspenthourstryingtoteachhimtoswimandfly.Andtheeaglewasdisciplinedforsoaringtothetreetopwhenhehadbeentoldtolearnhowtoclimb,eventhoughflyingwasmostnaturaltohim.Whatisyourgift?

Takeaway:

You...I...weallhavebeengiftedbyGod.

Matthew’sgospel25:14-29tellsus:“Hegavetoeachoneaccordingtohisability...Fortoeverypersonwhohassomething,evenmorewillbegiven,andhewillhavemorethanenough;butthepersonwhohasnothing,eventhelittlethathehaswillbetakenawayfromhim.”

WecanlearnmuchfromthisFABLE:

Agroupofanimalsdecidedtoimprovetheirgeneralwelfarebystartingaschool.Thecurriculumincludedswimming,running,climbingandflying.Theduck,anexcellentswimmer,wasdeficientinotherareas,sohemajoredinclimbing,runningandflying,muchtothedetrimentofhisswimming.Therabbit,asuperiorrunner,wasforcedtospendsomuchofhistimeinotherclassesthathesoonlostmuchofhisfamedspeed.Thesquirrel,whohadbeenrated“A”asaclimberdroppedtoa“C”becausehisinstructorsspenthourstryingtoteachhimtoswimandfly.Andtheeaglewasdisciplinedforsoaringtothetreetopwhenhehadbeentoldtolearnhowtoclimb,eventhoughflyingwasmostnaturaltohim.Whatisyourgift?

SpiritualGifts

Instructions:“Goddoesnotchoosethegifted.GodgiftsthoseGodcallsandchooses.

Thechallengeistorespondtothiscall.”

“YoudidnotchooseMe;Ichoseyouandappointedyoutogoandbearmuchfruit,thekindoffruitthatendures.Andso,theFatherwillgive

youwhateveryouaskHiminMyname.”John15.16

TakeafewmomentstoprayandmeditateonwhatyourGodgivengiftsare.

Usetheprayerprovidedtoguideyou,orprayonyourown.

ListenforGod’swordstospeaktoyourheart.

Thinkabouthowyoucanusethesegiftstotouchothers.

DearHeavenlyFather,openmyheartandmindtoexperienceYourunconditionallove.

RevealtomeandempowermewiththegiftsofyourSpiritsothatImayrespondtoYourcallinjoyfulservice.

InspireandblessmesothatthefruitsofYourSpiritmaybeevidenced

inallthatIsayanddo.InYourName,Amen

TRUENORTH

Youknowyouarecalledbutdoyouknowwhereyouareheaded?

ItemsNeeded:

• Tablewithtableclothandchairs• compass(es)andmagnet(s)• labelsonmagnetswith“distractions”onthemie:clothes,cellphone,job,socialmedia

etc• Mediumsheetswithcompassprintedonit,spacefor“TrueNorth”atthetop• Pens• Signsorbackdropboardwithbibleverseonit(Prov4:10),decorativevisualssuchas

arrows,maps,GPSetc• Framedinstructions

Instructions:

"Dearfriend,takemyadvice;itwilladdyearstoyourlife.I'mwritingoutcleardirectionstoWisdomWay,I'mdrawingamaptoRighteousRoad.Idon'twantyouendingupinblindalleys,orwastingtimemakingwrongturns."Prov4:10MSG

Youknowyouarecalledbutdoyouknowwhereyouareheaded?Youmaynotknowalocation,butwhatisGodsettingasyour'trueNorth'-thedirectionthatHehasplannedforyourlife?

TakeasheetandwriteYOUR'trueNorth'atthetop.Ifyouarenotsure,pray,listentoGodinthispeacefulspaceforwordsofdirection.

Placethecompassonyoursheetwhereindicated.Thinkaboutwhatdistractsyoufromwhereyouaresupposedtobegoing.

Playwiththemagnetsaroundthecompass-watchhowanattractiveobjectcanpullyouoffcourse.

Whatarethe'magnets'aroundyou?Writethosedownaroundyourcompass,andaskGodtogiveyoustrengthtoresisttemptationanddistraction.

TRUENORTHYouknowyouarecalledbutdoyouknowwhereyouareheaded?

"Dearfriend,takemyadvice;itwilladdyearstoyourlife.I'mwritingoutcleardirectionstoWisdomWay,I'mdrawingamaptoRighteous

Road.Idon'twantyouendingupinblindalleys,orwastingtimemakingwrongturns."Prov4:10MSG

You’veheardinthisconferencethatyouarecalled;butdoyouknowwhereyouareheaded?

WhatisGodsettingasyour'TrueNorth'?

WhatisthedirectionthatHEhasplannedforyourlife?

1. TakeasheetandwriteYOUR'TrueNorth'atthetop.Ifyouarenotsure,pray,listentoGodinthispeacefulspaceforwordsofdirection.

2. Placethecompassonyoursheetwhereindicated.Thinkaboutwhatdistractsyoufromwhereyouaresupposedtobegoing.

3. Playwiththemagnetsaroundthecompass-watchhowanattractiveobjectcanpullyouoffcourse.

4. Whatarethe'magnets'aroundyou?Writethosedownaroundyourcompass,andaskGodtogiveyoustrengthtoresisttemptationanddistraction.