Ministry Focus & Equipping | Christian Ministry Training Blog

How are we Thoroughly Equipped?

Posted on May 17, 2017 by Ministry Tools Resource Center — No Comments ↓

We’ve established in the previous post that God intends for us to be thoroughly equipped for the ministry He gives us to do.

As we’ll also see in 2 Timothy 3:16-17, God provides the means for such equipping through His Word.

(Click on image to go to Pinterest for an enlarged version and repin.)

The Comprehensive Nature of Scripture Means We can be Thoroughly Equipped

Notice that “ALL Scripture is … useful” according to 2 Timothy 3:16-17. If we handpick what parts of the Bible we want to believe or apply to life, we may not find ourselves thoroughly equipped. Even the genealogies and detailed measurements can have a place in equipping us.

Perhaps before we can appreciate the details, we need a big picture perspective of Scripture and particularly of the God of the Bible. Understanding the fullness of the character and ways of God can make such a difference. Although written with Bible teachers in mind, the following posts on the TrainBibleTeachers.com blog may increase the value we place on gaining the bigger picture.

Suggestion: Come up with a plan to read through and study all of Scripture, not just the easy to understand or more palatable parts.

The Authoritative Basis of God’s Word for Equipping

The reason all Scripture is useful is because “all Scripture is God-breathed” and thereby not only has a purpose for being included but also the authority and power to make a difference. If we don’t believe this, we will have more of a tendency to pick and choose what we want to believe and apply. As a result, we will very likely not find ourselves thoroughly equipped. For more about this point, read the following:

Suggestion: If you doubt the veracity of Scripture, or tend to pick and choose, take time to get to know the God of the Bible better. If He truly is the God of whom there is none greater, then He has absolute authority.

The Targeted Means through Which the Bible Equips

We are at different places. What one person needs to be ready for service may differ from the next person. Some may need to learn something new. Others may need to become aware of something they’re doing wrong. Or, it might be simply tweaking or improving what we’re doing. Perhaps some need to be taken to the next step in their walk and service. Whatever the need, God’s Word is what will teach, rebuke, correct, and train us. Thorough equipping cannot be a “one size fits all” or “cookie cutter” approach.

Suggestion: Examine your approach to God and His Word. Are you hearing from Him or merely copying and comparing yourself to what others are doing?

The Depth or Extent to Which Scripture Equips

Notice how God uses His Word to train us “in righteousness” (2 Tim. 3:16). This is a very important point as God cares about the process, not just the end result. If God didn’t address the heart, our equipping wouldn’t be thorough. He wants to transform our hearts not merely our behavior. Motivation matters. Character matters. Integrity in serving matters. Thorough equipping happens from the inside out. — For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. (Heb. 4:12)

Suggestion: Ask God to search your heart and thoughts to see what needs to change and to equip you accordingly (Ps. 139:23-24).

Intended to be Thoroughly Equipped

Posted on May 10, 2017 by Ministry Tools Resource Center — 4 Comments ↓

God saved us for a reason — to do good works.

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God – not by works, so that no one can boast.

For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. (Eph. 2:8-10)

God doesn’t, however, save us by His grace and power and then intend for us to go off in our own wisdom and strength, to figure it out on our own. Rather, “he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus” (Phil. 1:6).

God’s Intent for Us to be Thoroughly Equipped

When God commissions us to do His work here on earth, He provides all we need to do it as seen in a number of Scripture passages like:

His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life … (2 Pet. 1:3-4)

has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. (Eph. 1:3)

Out of his fullness we have all received grace in place of grace already given. (Jn. 1:16)

for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose. (Phil. 2:13)

But, the verses we will focus on for the next several posts come from 2 Timothy 3:16-17 —

All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

(Click on image to go to Pinterest for an enlarged version and repin.)

What It Means to be Thoroughly Equipped

The phrase “thoroughly equipped” stems from two forms of the same Greek word, one an adjective, artios, and the other a verb, exartizo. They both bring the idea of completeness. The verb is the furnishing, providing, fitting, or supplying part of completeness. The adjective describes how thoroughly that process is accomplished. By using these two forms of the same word so close together, God obviously wants to make a point, emphasizing how much He intends to provide for us to do His will. — We are furnished completely complete.

As noted in the other referenced verses, we have everything we need, every spiritual blessing, grace upon grace, to accomplish “every good work” according to His power and grace.

Make no mistake: God’s aim is for us to be thoroughly equipped. In the upcoming posts we will examine 2 Timothy 3:16-17 to learn:

Subscribe for E-mail notice of new posts.

Faithful Stewards of God’s Grace

Posted on April 26, 2017 by Ministry Tools Resource Center — 2 Comments ↓

The best book on spiritual gifts? God’s Word!

Just one verse alone can teach us so much as we saw in the previous posts looking at 1 Peter 4:10.

From that verse we learn what spiritual gifts are (expressions of God’s grace in its various forms), who has been given spiritual gifts (each one of us), how important it is to use it to serve others (each should serve using “whatever gift”), and how gifts should be used (faithfully). In this post we want to focus in on being “faithful stewards of God’s grace.”

Being Faithful as Stewards of God’s Grace

Using spiritual gifts expresses God’s grace, in its various forms. Serving others, therefore, isn’t merely about what we do. It isn’t even just about helping others, but rather most importantly about showcasing God! Regardless of what our gift may be, whether we are upfront teaching or leading, or behind the scenes helping, we demonstrate God’s grace. Each expression of His grace contributes to a more complete understanding of who God is.

When we understand how using our spiritual gifts takes us beyond merely accomplishing some kind of task, to helping people better understand and know God, we should all the more want to serve. And, we should want to serve faithfully so we consistently and accurately represent Him. Grace elevates serving.

Stewards of and because of God’s Grace

Not only are we to be faithful stewards “of” God’s grace but also “because of” God’s grace. We receive spiritual gifts on the basis of grace not because of who we are or what we’ve done. As recipients of His grace, we have been given an entrustment which substantiates our role as stewards and gives us all the greater reason to be faithful. Stewards take care of that which isn’t their own, and so we have a sense of accountability as managers of His grace toward one another.

When we understand how we have been entrusted with God’s grace through the spiritual gifts we’ve been given, we should all the more want to serve faithfully. We got something we don’t deserve, making it a privilege not merely a duty for us to serve. Grace increases motivation and passion for serving.

Significance Because of God’s Grace

Posted on April 19, 2017 by Ministry Tools Resource Center — 4 Comments ↓

Sometimes in serving we compare ourselves to others and feel either insignificant as though our gift doesn’t matter or proud as though what we do is more important than others. We all, however, have significance because of grace.

1 Peter 4:10 teaches that spiritual gifts are expressions of God’s grace. We also find in Scripture that God gives spiritual gifts on the basis of grace. Consequently, we have significance in ministry because of God’s grace, not the spiritual gift.

1 Peter 4:10 also teaches that we use our gift(s) to serve others, not to elevate ourselves. Understanding spiritual gifting in terms of grace enables us to serve without need for applause. Our main concern becomes that others experience God’s grace in its various forms which means our individual parts are significant.

Significant Enough for God to Command Us to Use Our Spiritual Gifts

Using our gift, whatever it might be, isn’t an option. The NIV doesn’t do justice to the original language in wording it as “you should use whatever gift.” God isn’t saying it’s something we ought to do but rather that we should definitely do it. What God commands must be important. And, He will hold us accountable for using our gift to serve others as seen in in the qualification that we use our gift “as faithful stewards” — the topic of the next post.

Significance Because You are Needed

There’s a practical side to God commanding us to use our gift which makes each one of our contributions significant. As previously noted, each person, doing their part using their spiritual gift(s), adds in to a more complete understanding of God’s grace. We need each other, no matter what our gift may be. We find this concept in God’s analogy of the Church to the human body. He says, “As it is, there are many parts, but one body. The eye cannot say to the hand, ‘I don’t need you!’ And the head cannot say to the feet, ‘I don’t need you!'” (1 Cor. 12:20-21)

Significance Based on God’s Grace Means No Comparing or Competing

Because of God’s grace we don’t have to compare or compete with others in ministry. They have been given spiritual gifts to serve based on God’s grace and so have you. Whether a leader or a secretary, whether a teacher or a teacher’s helper, whether a youth pastor or a nursery worker, whether paid staff or a lay person, everyone’s contribution matters.

You might find the following articles helpful if you struggle with significance in ministry, saying “I’m just a …

Impartiality of God’s Grace

Posted on April 12, 2017 by Ministry Tools Resource Center — 1 Comment ↓

Grace, by its very definition or essence, demands impartiality.

Grace is a free gift, meaning God provides it unconditionally, doing for us what we can’t do for ourselves.
Grace is the unmerited favor of God, meaning it’s not based on us earning or deserving it.

If, as 1 Peter 4:10 teaches, spiritual gifts are expressions of God’s grace, given on the basis of grace (Rom. 12:6), then He gives them without partiality.

What the Impartiality of God’s Grace in Distributing Spiritual Gifts Means

“Each of you” has at least one gift to be used to serve others. — “Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.” (1 Cor. 12:7) Here we see the all-inclusive nature of God’s grace.

We don’t have to live up to a certain standard or spiritual status in order to receive a gift. Factors like our achievements, gender, race, or age don’t move God to give us gifts. He distributes spiritual gifts on the basis of grace, not merit or any other quality within us. The gift(s) we have doesn’t mean we deserve it more than other people or vice versa.

What the Impartiality of God’s Grace Does Not Mean

“Whatever gift you have received” suggests we have varying gifts. Gifts distributed on the basis of grace does not mean without discernment. — “But in fact God has arranged the parts in the body, every one of them just as He wanted them to be.” (1 Cor. 12:18) “All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines.” (1 Cor. 12:11) “But in fact God has placed the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be.” (1 Cor. 12:18)

We can trust God to know best. Whether given one gift or several, He enables us to serve in ways He deems best. It doesn’t make us better or worse than the person with less or more gifts. “Whatever” the gift, its use is significant in adding into the big picture of God’s grace — the topic of the next post.

Expressions of God’s Grace

Posted on April 5, 2017 by Ministry Tools Resource Center — No Comments ↓

God saves us because of His grace (Eph. 2:8-9). And, His grace proves sufficient in trials (2 Cor. 12:8-10) and temptations (Titus 2:11-12) to enable us to rise above. As beneficiaries of God’s grace, we in turn administer that grace to others “in its various forms” (1 Pet. 4:10).

Many Facets of God’s Grace

God’s grace far exceeds our ability to fully comprehend it. Yet, we find expressions of God’s grace as we use our spiritual gifts to serve others. Each of the spiritual gifts provides a different facet of His grace. Don’t take my word on this but rather see what God says in the context of these passages on spiritual gifting:

We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. (Rom. 12:6)

But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it. (Eph. 4:7)

Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. (1 Pet. 4:10)

Spiritual Gifts are Expressions of the Many Facets of God’s Grace

When we use our spiritual gifts we express God’s grace to others.

Spiritual Gifts are Expressions of God's Grace Notice how 1 Peter 4:10 equates using spiritual gifts with stewarding God’s grace — “use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace.” Also note that the Greek word for spiritual gifts, charisma, used in many passages, like 1 Peter 4:10, comes from the root word (charis) for grace. Finally, the gift is something we have “received” not earned or developed within ourselves — the very essence of God’s grace.

Consequently, when we all use our gifts to serve others, we begin to see a more complete picture of His grace. That’s one of the reasons churches should seek teach about and function in accordance with spiritual gifting. Note these truths from 1 Peter 4:10 —

“Each of you” should serve using the spiritual gift(s) given to you.
Each should view their gift as significant, “whatever gift” it might be, so we get a more complete picture of God’s grace.
Each should serve faithfully “as faithful stewards of God’s grace.”

We’ll look at each of the above points in upcoming posts.

Subscribe for E-mail notice of new posts.