BLOOMING WHERE YOURE PLANTED Deepening Your Relationship with

BLOOMING WHERE YOU’RE PLANTED Deepening Your Relationship with God, Yourself, & Others

BY THE END OF OUR TIME TOGETHER. . . • You will gain more insight into what it means to be a disciple of Christ. • You will know more about yourself and those around you. • You will learn ways we approach and experience God. • You will have fun!

Bloom Where You’re Planted

What is Required to Bloom? • • • Good soil Seasons Safe environment Good design Care Patience Healthy roots Growth (water, sun, etc. ) Interdependence What else? From Membership to Discipleship. . .

DISCIPLESHIP A lifelong, ongoing process of growing in relationship with God and living out more fully God’s intentions for our lives as we participate in God’s mission in the world.

Discipleship – The Assumptions • God created each of us for a particular purpose. • That purpose is about participation in God’s mission of redeeming all creation. • We find our role in that mission by answering God’s call to become disciples of Jesus Christ. • It is in living as disciples that we find our true vocation and meaning in life. • The essential experiences of discipleship, for finding our true vocation and meaning, are those that provide opportunities for deepening, equipping, and ministering.

Deepening – Growing in Relationship Self Others • Our relationship with God as creator, Christ, and spirit has touched us and transformed us into a disciple. • Knowing ourselves helps us grow in relationship with God, frees us from selfcenteredness, and allows us to participate more fully in community. • Growth in our relationship with God provides a bond that deepens community. • Experiences include: • Worship God Experiences that encourage deepening one’s relationship to God, self, and others through personal and corporate spiritual disciplines Spiritual discipline / practices Prayer groups Spiritual growth groups (small groups) Seasonal reflection groups (Lent & Advent) Spiritual-emphasis events & retreats Devotional booklets Spiritual friendships (mentoring, spiritual direction, prayer partner) • Bible-based study and reflection groups • •

Equipping – Growing in Giftedness • Two dimensions – gifts/call & skills/knowledge • Includes: • Bible study classes • Discernment of call groups • Spiritual Gift Inventory (SGI) and spiritual gifts discernment groups • Opportunities to experiment using gifts • Equipping opportunities to develop skills and gain knowledge • Study/reflection groups of issues of faith and/or theology Experiences that encourage people to claim and develop their gifts, discern God’s call to them, and acquire the knowledge and skill needed to live out that call faithfully and effectively.

Ministering – Growing in Service • Local and/or International Mission trips • Individual or family service projects • Serving in a leadership role within the church • Community volunteer work • Understanding work, parenting, and other involvements from a perspective of ministry. Experiences that provide opportunities for people to live out their call and through that both deepen their relationship with Christ and become more effectively equipped to live as Christ’s disciples.

Life is a Zoo!! • Each person is a blend of all four natural personality types. • We should tap into all 4 types to build strong relationships at home, at school, church or work. • Source: The Two Sides of Love by Gary Smalley & John Trent. • Correlates to DISC assessment (Dominance, Influence, Steadiness, Compliance) as well as Jungian personality tests like MBTI and others.

The Lion • Takes charge • Problem solver • Competitive • Enjoys change • Confrontational “Let’s Do It Now!”

The Otter • Optimistic • Energetic • Motivators • Future-oriented “Trust me, It Will All Work Out. !”

The Beaver • Accurate & precise • Quality control • Discerning • Analytical “How Was It Done in the Past? ”

The Golden Retriever • Warm & relational • Loyal • Enjoys routine • Peace-maker • Sensitive Feelings “Let’s Keep Things the Way They Are. ”

Why We Care • Can work together better when we understand each • Helps us talk about our other and how s/he contributes differences in non-threatening to working together for the ways. common good. • Gives us insights into ways to • Enhances our ability to work build on natural strengths. together and form a strong bond • Provides insight into what motivates us. • Makes our ministry more productive and effective. • Can help avoid unnecessary conflicts. Let’s maximize our gifts! Together we are more.

Romans 12: 4 -11 � 4 We have many parts in one body, but the parts don’t all have the same function. 5 In the same way, though there are many of us, we are one body in Christ, and individually we belong to each other. � 6 We have different gifts that are consistent with God’s grace that has been given to us. If your gift is prophecy, you should prophesy in proportion to your faith. 7 If your gift is service, devote yourself to serving. If your gift is teaching, devote yourself to teaching. 8 If your gift is encouragement, devote yourself to encouraging. The one giving should do it with no strings attached. The leader should lead with passion. The one showing mercy should be cheerful. � 9 Love should be shown without pretending. Hate evil, and hold on to what is good. 10 Love each other like the members of your family. Be the best at showing honor to each other. 11 Don’t hesitate to be enthusiastic—be on fire in the Spirit as you serve the Lord!

DISCOVER YOUR SPIRITUAL TYPE

Our Experience of God • Think of a time you felt closest to God. Where were you? What were you doing? What was happening around you? • Now think of a time when you felt out of step with God. . . or were uncomfortable with a church experience. What was happening?

Spirituality Circle How We Experience God How We Approach God Doing Thinking Being Feeling

Small Group Assignment • Review the information about your type. You have 15 minutes as a group to create a 3 -minute presentation introducing your type to the rest of us. Be sure to tell us: • the primary characteristics of your type; • how this type can enrich our church; and • what challenges they might also bring.