The Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren

Day 31: Understanding your shape

• Last 3:
  • Exploring your abilities
    • Every ability can be used for God’s glory
    • They can also be used to sin, which is why we need to focus on God’s Word
    • Examine what you’re good at and what you’re not good at
  • Using your personality
    • Again, we are all uniquely made
    • Will affect how and where we use our spiritual gifts and abilities
  • Employing your experiences
    • 6 kinds:
      • Family – what did you learn growing up?
      • Educational – what were your favorite subjects?
      • Vocational – what jobs have you been most effective in and enjoyed the most?
      • Spiritual – what have been your most meaningful times with God?
      • Ministry – how have you served God in the past?
      • Painful – what problems, hurts, thorns and trials have you learned from?
        • This is the one that God uses the most
        • God intentionally allows you to go through painful experiences to minister to others
• Ending:
  • Nobody else can be
  • 1 Peter 4:10
  • What God given ability or personal experience can I offer to my church?

Day 32: Using what God gave you

• Confirm your spiritual gifts and natural abilities with others
• See what comes naturally to you in different areas of service
• Consider your heart and personality – what do you really like doing most?
• Examine your experiences
• Accept and enjoy your shape – 2 reasons why you should never compare to someone else
  • You’ll always find someone who seems to be doing better than you and you’ll get discouraged
  • You’ll find someone not doing as well and you’ll be filled with pride
• Ending:
  • God deserves my best
  • 2 Timothy 2:15
  • How can I make the best use of what God has given me?

Day 33: How real servants act

• Characteristics of being a real servant:
  • Make yourself available to serve – do what’s needed when it’s needed
  • Pay attention to needs
  • Do your best with what you have
  • Do every task with equal dedication
  • Faithful to your ministry – commit to serve and follow through
  • Maintain a low profile – humility
• Ending:
  • I serve God by serving others
  • Matt 10:42
  • Which of the characteristics of being a real servant is the most challenging to me?

Day 34: Thinking like a servant

• Real servants serve God with a mindset of attitudes
  • Think more about others than themselves – again, not thinking less of yourself, but thinking of yourself less
  • Think like stewards, not owners – it’s all God’s, we are just managing it for him
  • Think about their work, not what others are doing – trust God and keep serving
  • Base their identities in Christ – this will free you from the expectations of others
  • Think of ministry as an opportunity not an obligation – we’ve been saved only by grace, serve as such
• Ending:
  • To be a servant, I must think like a servant
  • Phil. 2:5
  • Am I more concerned about being served or finding ways to serve others?

Day 35: God’s power in weakness

• Follow the model of Paul
  • Admit your weaknesses
  • Be content with your weaknesses – Paul gives several reasons why:
    • They cause us to depend on God – the less I have, the more I depend on God
    • Prevent arrogance – major weaknesses are often attached to a major strength
    • Encourages fellowship between believers
  • Honestly share your weaknesses – relieves stress, diffuses fears and is the first step to freedom
  • Glory in your weaknesses – causes us to lean on God in all circumstances
• Ending:
  • God works best amid weakness
  • 2 Chor 12:9a
  • Am I limiting God’s power in my life by trying to hide my weaknesses? What do I need to be honest about in order to help others?