Discovering Your S.h.a.p.e. For Ministry Series

Third, God gave Paul Abilities. We read in Acts 18:3-4 that Paul went to see Aquila and Priscilla in Corinth, and “because he was of the same trade he stayed with them and worked, for they were tentmakers by trade. And he reasoned in the synagogue every Sabbath, and tried to persuade Jews and Greeks.” So, just in these two verses, we see that Paul had the ability to make tents, and he also had debating skills.

Fourth, God gave Paul a Personality. Paul said in Galatians 1:14, “And I was advancing in Judaism beyond many of my own age among my people, so extremely zealous was I for the traditions of my fathers.” Paul was no slouch; he was extremely zealous. And that affected the way he did ministry. Paul was also compassionate. In his ministry to the Thessalonians he said, “But we were gentle among you, like a nursing mother taking care of her own children” (1 Thessalonians 2:7).

And fifth, God gave Paul various Experiences. Concerning Paul’s spiritual experiences we think of him prior to his conversion when he stood by watching while Stephen was being stoned for his faith in Jesus Christ (Acts 8:1). Then Paul was converted on the road to Damascus (Acts 9:1-20). He then went and spent three years studying in Arabia (Galatians 1:18). Later he had a special vision from God (2 Corinthians 12:2-7). All these spiritual experiences impacted the way he did ministry.

Concerning Paul’s painful experiences we read Paul saying in 2 Corinthians 11:23-27, “(I had) far more imprisonments, with countless beatings, and often near death. Five times I received at the hands of the Jews the forty lashes less one. Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. Three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I was adrift at sea; on frequent journeys, in danger from rivers, danger from robbers, danger from my own people, danger from Gentiles, danger in the city, danger in the wilderness, danger at sea, danger from false brothers; in toil and hardship, through many a sleepless night, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure.”

Concerning Paul’s educational experiences Paul said in Acts 22:3, “I am a Jew, born in Tarsus in Cilicia, but brought up in this city, educated at the feet of Gamaliel according to the strict manner of the law of our fathers, being zealous for God as all of you are this day.” Scholars believe that Paul had the equivalent of two Ph.D. degrees. He was a highly educated person. He understood Judaism as well as the Greco-Roman culture.

And finally, concerning Paul’s ministry experiences we simply have to read the book of Acts or his letters! Paul is still the greatest theologian and church planter in the history of the church.

Conclusion

At this point I would like you to take out the booklet you received when you came into the service today titled, “Personal Profile: My SHAPE for Ministry.” We use this tool in Class 301 to help you discover your S.H.A.P.E. for ministry.

This booklet actually is a combination of two sections. The first five pages (including the cover) have a grey bar down the left hand side. This is the first section. The second section has the title “Spiritual Gifts Inventory” at the top of the page.