The Purpose Driven Life:

Small Group: Week 5 (Ministry)

You were put on earth to serve others, the fourth purpose for which you were created. When asked to explain, Jesus told the story of the good Samaritan. The story illustrates three attitudes people can have toward people in need. The first is to keep a distance, to not be bothered, to avoid relationships. The second is to be curious, but not involved like those that slow down when passing an auto accident. The third is to treat others how you would want to be treated if you were in the same situation. That is what the Samaritan did, and that is what Christians should do.

Rick Warren gives four guidelines for us to follow:

• See the needs of people around me - "Don't think only of your own good. Think of other Christians and what is best for them." (1 Corinthians 10:24)
• Sympathize with people's pain - "He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others." (2 Corinthians 1:4)
• Seize the moment and meet the need - "Never walk away from someone who deserves help; your hand is God's hand for that person." (Proverbs 3:27)
• Spend whatever it takes - "Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers." (Galatians 6:20)

Kindness and service always cost. The good Samaritan received nothing in exchange for putting himself at risk, for using his wine and oil, for walking when he could have ridden, and for paying the bill at the inn. He did it, Jesus implies, because his heart was right and he loved.

Both believers and unbelievers have needs. Service to believers is called ministry. Service to unbelievers is called evangelism. In either case, our ministry is based upon the SHAPE God has given us:

• Spiritual gifts - special God-empowered abilities for serving Him;
• Heart - what we love to do, our passion;
• Abilities - natural talents you were born with;
• Personality - introvert or extrovert, thinker or feeler, likes routine or variety;
• Experience - family, educational, vocational, spiritual, ministry, and painful.

No matter what SHAPE you're in, you should be looking for ways to help those in need.