EMPOWERING CLASS WEEKLY AGENDA
Session 1
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. - 2 Corinthians 1:3-4
After reading from the Law and the Prophets, the synagogue rulers sent word to them, saying, “Brothers, if you have a message of encouragement for the people, please speak.” - Acts 13:15
Goals of this Class:
•Build your confidence to engage in healing or prayer ministries within the church, your family, your friends, and/or your workplace.
•Finish class with the understanding that IT’S NOT YOU doing it, it’s a work of the Spirit.
•Practice in a safe controlled setting to learn what’s helpful and what is not when in a ministry time or relationship.
•Commit yourself to God’s calling over you and the work that it entails.
•Similar to being in Med School—you are studying how to be assist in the healing of the wounded heart.
•People will come to you with their deepest wounds… this is Holy Ground. You will be blessed by the privilege to have one share that with you.
•Our goal is to lead them into a closer relationship with their Heavenly Father.
•The first foundational step is to have completed a lengthy and deep spiritual inventory yourself.
•You will experience healing while helping others.
•Even though you may have been doing ministry our hope is some that you learn hear will help you to be more effective.
•A Seeker: Anyone looking for understanding, help, or personal involvement.
•A Helper: Anyone willing to come alongside to listen, encourage, counsel, or exhort.
Today’s Objectives
To become familiar with:
•The 3 styles of listening skills. * Reflective (repeat)
* Active (clarify)
* Critical (discern)
•The concept of spiritual discernment.
•Identify spiritual bondages.
•Seeker focused prayer ministry style.
•A new perspective on evangelism.
(Meeting them where they are, and moving them closer in their relationship with God)
•Viewing yourself as a paraclete (one who comes along side)
•How to apply the redemption of the cross for ALL situations.
•How can we do that and what does it look like?
Possible Spiritual Bondages
Anything that is not from the Lord that keeps us trapped spiritually, emotionally, or physically.
Unforgiveness, Relinquishment, Condemnation, Vows, inner vows or pledges, Bitter root judgments,
Curses, Soul ties, Dishonor, Non-Christian spiritual experiences, Generational or hereditary sins,
Nationality or ethnic bondages
Seeker Led Prayer Ministry Style
•The ministry style that you will be taught in this class will coach the seeker how to pray for wanted change. (not the helper)
•We see change happens when the seeker prays for HIS own choices. It is like they make a contract with God when they pray.
•We can pray for them but it won’t be as beneficial as them doing it.
Ministry as Evangelism
•The cross symbolizes our relationship to God and to others and how the two relationships effect each other.
•Our goal as helpers is to break bondages so relationship may be improved in BOTH directions.
•Our Ministry goal is to eventually lead the seeker into a closer relationship with our Heavenly Father.
Becoming a Paraclete
•Paraklesis means to draw near to provide comfort, exhortation, counsel, or encouragement to another.
•An extra set of feet to walk along side a hurting friend
•The Holy Spirit is an advocate, intercessor, teacher, helper, and comforter
Redemption of the Cross
•Christians are saved but may still be in bondage.
• We are going to heaven but may still be in pain on earth.
• Real spiritual freedom may mean applying the redemption of the cross to every area of your life.
Steps of Redemption
Redemption may be accomplished by one or more of the following steps.
•Revelation
•Repentance
•Release
•Recognize
•Renounce
•Relinquishment
•Restitution
•Reconciliation
Reflective Listening
Check for understanding
•Express empathy
•Show desire to understand
•Build a positive rapport
•Show the person is worthwhile
•Help them go deeper
Active Listening
•Active listening uses questions or statements to engage, not necessarily reflect what the speaker says.
•Active listening is used to:
- Gather more information in non-evaluating ways.
- Correct listener misunderstanding.
- Reinforce positive statements or actions.
Tentative Statements
When you sense you are at a place to make a statement or suggestion, you can lead with a tentative statement or a question.
- Wait until they are done talking or processing (observe body language).
- Avoid imperative statements; “you should, you should have” “ought, ought to” or “you need to”.
Critical Listening
Notice body language
•Allow them a time of silence to process
•Listen for incomplete stories
•Notice what is not being said
•Notice the diversions
•Connect the dots