MinTools Blog Equips for Church, Ministry & Walk with God

The Way God Made Us Makes People Social Beings

Posted on August 30, 2023 by Ministry Tools Resource Center — No Comments ↓

When God created the heavens and earth, He weaved it together in such a way that one thing connect to or needed the other — an interdependence. The very order in which He created depicts how one thing sustains another. Though everything was made for man to enjoy and provided the needed sustenance, God determined man needed more — “a helper suitable for him” (Gen. 2:18). He noted, “it is not good for the man to be alone” (Gen. 2:18). Hence, from the beginning, people were made to be interdependent, social beings. Surely, this has implications for ministry.

God Made People Social Beings to be in a Relationship with Him and Others

God gave Adam someone to connect with on the same level, another human being. They could communicate with one another in a way not possible with other created beings. They could experience an interdependence on the mental, emotional, and spiritual levels, not just physically.

In addition to being created to relate with other humans, people were made to have fellowship with God. It appears that in the beginning, before the fall, God would walk with Adam and Eve in the garden (Gen. 3:8). They undoubtedly talked as they walked. Though such fellowship would be blocked when they chose to sin against Him, God still made a way for people to enjoy a relationship with Him.

Implications: Let’s put our primary emphasis on developing relationships, first with God and then with one another. Remember, the Greatest Commandments are to love God with all of who we are and then to love others (Matt. 22:37-40). When we focus on relationships, we get beyond mere religious activity. We stress fellowship with God as the answer to our deepest need. We follow God’s design for Body Life in the Church wherein we care for one another in meaningful ways.

God Made People to Relate with One Another in a Supplementary Way

Though another human being, Eve wasn’t exactly the same as Adam. She was compatible but differed in ways that enabled them to compliment and supplement one another. The oneness they were to experience (Gen. 2:24) didn’t require them to look and act the same. Rather, it was dependent on them being different.

Implications: Let’s remember that God’s initial intent to bring unity out of diversity continues. It can be seen in how He established the Church (Eph. 2:11-22), bringing together two very different, even hostile, people groups to be one in Him. When we celebrate each other, respecting and accepting those different from us, we learn and grow in ways not possible on our own. Let’s promote an interdependence in our relationships with one another.

For More About God’s Design for Interdependence in the Church, Go To: Resources on Body Life

The Way God Made Us Gives People Value

Posted on August 23, 2023 by Ministry Tools Resource Center — No Comments ↓

We have a creative God who made the heavens and earth (Gen. 1:1). Everything God made was “very good” (Gen. 1:31), giving value to all He created. But, His final work, mankind, had more significance than anything else. People weren’t just the culmination of His creative activity. They were special and superior.

The way God made us has implications for our ministries and relationships.

Two Reasons God’s Creation of People Gives Them Value

1) God made people special.

“God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them.” (Gen. 1:27) Of no other created being or thing do we read of it being created in God’s likeness. Having been made in the image of God gives people value unlike anything else He made. People are special.

Implications: Let’s help each other find our worth in Him. We are “fearfully and wonderfully made”, a reason to live a life of praise and thanksgiving (Ps. 139:14). And, let’s treat people with dignity and respect. No wonder Jesus said that whatever we do for even those who seem to be the least among us, it’s like we’re doing it to Him (Matt. 25:35-45).

2) God made people superior.

Having been made in the image of God, people are capable of ruling over all other creatures He made (Gen. 1:26, 28). The Psalmist prayed, “When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is mankind that you are mindful of them, human beings that you care for them? You have made them a little lower than the angels and crowned them with glory and honor. You made them rulers over the works of your hands; you put everything under their feet …” (Ps. 8:4-9)

Implications: Let’s keep a people first perspective. People should take priority over programs, objects, or any other created thing. Let’s not lose sight of the value God places on people.

Bottom Line: We value the people God made because He does.

The Way God Made Us Suggests People Be Actively Engaged

Posted on August 16, 2023 by Ministry Tools Resource Center — No Comments ↓

The Way God Made Us as physical beings.
When we truly believe the creation account in Genesis, particularly the way God made people, we begin to realize it should make a difference in how we do ministry. In this post we want to acknowledge that God made us as physical beings which means we need to get people involved in the process.

God Made People to Process Life as Physical Beings So They Need to be Actively Engaged

God made us with flesh and bone (Gen. 2:23) that engages with and is responsive to its surroundings.

With our eyes we see the beauty of the heavens and earth. With our ears we listen to the sounds made by that which has been created. With our nose we smell the aromas of what surrounds us. With our hands we feel the various textures of the world around us. And, with our mouths we taste the provisions of God’s creation. As we use our senses, we experience and learn.

Implications: Let’s not solely or primarily rely on the auditory sense, whether engaging people in settings like the classroom or the worship service. At minimal we can use visuals along with verbal communication. The more senses we engage, the better.

Also Read: Engage the Senses as Much as Possible

God created us as physical beings, with bodies designed to move.

From what we can gather, God initially used to walk in the Garden with Adam and Eve (Gen. 3:8). They didn’t just sit there doing nothing but rather were put in that garden to “work it and take care of it” (Gen. 2:15). They were made to be physically active.

Implications: Let’s not expect people to sit still and merely listen for long periods of time. Children especially, but even adults, need to be active. Henrietta Mears, founder of Gospel Light, said “God put the wiggle in children. Don’t you dare try to take it out.” We might have to get a little more creative with ways of getting adults standing or moving about, but even adults shouldn’t merely sit passively. All ages need to be engaged, involved physically, not just mentally.

Because of the Way God Made Us

Posted on August 9, 2023 by Ministry Tools Resource Center — No Comments ↓

The beginning chapters of Genesis teach us so much about our wise, powerful, and creative God who made the heavens and earth. We can also learn a good bit about the people He created. We would do well to apply these lessons to ministry and any kind of relating we have with people. It only makes sense that we do that which lines up with the way God made us.

How God Made Us

So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. (Gen. 1:27)

Here’s what we can learn about how God made people as seen in Genesis 1-2. He made us as …

Click on the above links to look at each of these points and consider the implications for ministry.

Difference It Makes in Ministry Whether or Not We Truly Believe God Created Us

If we don’t take the creation chapters in Genesis seriously, we’ll have problems in ministry. If we don’t believe God created us …

we won’t see the need to line up with how Scripture portrays people.
we won’t place the value He does on each individual human being.
we won’t sense an accountability to Him for how we treat others.

When we do, however, hold to the veracity of the creation account, we have perspective in ministry. We better understand that we should …

reach and teach in ways that align with how God made people.
treat people with dignity and respect as those made in the image of God.
grasp that how we treat others matters to God.

Please Note: The intent of this series is not to debate the creation account. Should you have questions or doubts, please take time to look at the resources under the ‘Evolution’ tab at: Ministry Resources: Life Issues

Exalting God Above All Else

Posted on July 26, 2023 by Ministry Tools Resource Center — 2 Comments ↓

I will extol the Lord at all times; his praise will always be on my lips. My soul will boast in the Lord; let the afflicted hear and rejoice. Glorify the Lord with me; let us exalt his name together. (Ps. 34:1-3)

If asked how to exalt God, what would you say? You may be quick to respond that we exalt God through words of praise as well as through songs of worship. But, don’t end there.

Ways of Exalting God Above All Else

When we exalt God, we’re lifting Him up above all else, singling Him out as the One of whom there is no greater. It’s easy to speak or sing about how great God is but living like it reveals what we truly believe in our hearts. As the saying goes — actions speak louder than words.

We exalt God when we value what He views as important.

We’re saying that His opinions and heart are supreme, hence, exalting Him.

We exalt God when we obey His commands.

We’re saying that His ways are best, hence, exalting Him.

We exalt God when we line up what we do with His Word, following His ways.

We’re saying that He is the final standard, hence, exalting Him.

We exalt God when we help other people in their struggles by pointing them to God.

We’re saying that He is the ultimate source of strength, comfort, peace, and hope, hence, exalting Him.

Let’s live a life of worship, exalting the Lord above all else!

For More, Go To: Implications for the Worship Leader & Individual Worshiper

Need a reason to exalt God above all else? Check out His many attributes in the Our Great God from A to Z Discipleship Tool Download which provides alphabetical listings of who God is.

4 Truths to Remember When Taking Vacations

Posted on July 19, 2023 by Ministry Tools Resource Center — No Comments ↓

Vacationing provides a time to get away and relax, have fun, and perhaps strengthen relationships with a spouse, family, or friends. We can benefit from the change of pace and environment vacations bring. Even God took a break from His labor when He created the world (Gen. 2:2).

Remember These 4 Truths Taking Vacations

While we can benefit from taking vacations, we must remember the following:

Our walk with God never takes a vacation so maintain time with Him.

God doesn’t take a break from us. He wants us to enjoy life with Him wherever we are and in whatever we do. Neither does our enemy wait for our vacation to end. — “Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.” (1 Pet. 5:8)

Our lives always teach so maintain integrity and patience in all you do.

Travel headaches, waiting in lines, mounting costs, and other common vacationing stresses can wear on our patience. We might be tempted to lose our temper or justify lying, cheating, or shortcuts. Those with whom we vacation are watching and learning. — “Whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” (1 Cor. 10:31)

Our church goes on without us so maintain giving and prayer support.

Giving should be planned and regular. Paul exhorted the Corinthian church to “set aside a sum of money in keeping with his income, saving it up” (1 Cor. 16:2). When taking vacations, give extra the week before you leave or the week after you return. Or, send your church a check or use an online giving platform if your church has one. Also remember to pray for those continuing on while you are gone. “Always” in Ephesians 6:18 suggests we should be praying for our fellow believers even while on vacation — “be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.”

Our opportunities to be a witness expand so maintain an outward focus.

Some people use vacation time to take missions trips so the opportunities are obvious. Taking a fun-filled vacation still provides opportunities to reach out to others if you keep your eyes open. — “Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.” (Col. 4:5-6)

Bottom Line: Enjoying vacations doesn’t mean we set aside our walk with God. We’re Christ-followers 24-7 no matter where we are or what we’re doing … whether working, serving, or just relaxing.