Ministering the Word of God – Leadership Training
This leadership training focuses on equipping believers to minister the Word of God effectively through the power of the Holy Spirit. Drawing from the example of Jesus’ response to the Pharisees in Mark 12:24, the session highlights the importance of knowing the Scriptures, understanding God’s power, and ministering under the Spirit’s guidance.
Addressing Common Mistakes
The training begins by addressing common mistakes made in understanding and ministering the Word of God:
1. Lack of scriptural knowledge – Misinterpreting or misapplying the Bible.
2. Neglecting the power of God – Overlooking the transformative and dynamic nature of Scripture.
3. Ineffective ministry of the Word – Failing to allow the Spirit to guide and empower the delivery of God’s message.
This session seeks to correct these errors by teaching how to minister the Word of God authentically and effectively.
Two Types of Ministry in the Church
The Church operates through two broad categories of ministry: physical service and spiritual service. Both are essential, and all believers are encouraged to serve in some capacity.
1. Ministry Through Physical Service
•Illustrated by Acts 6:1–5, where the early Church addressed the practical needs of widows.
•Seven Spirit-filled men (deacons) were appointed to serve tables, enabling the apostles to focus on prayer and the ministry of the Word.
•This ministry is foundational for meeting the physical needs of the Church community, such as food distribution and administrative tasks.
•All believers can contribute in this way, serving through God’s strength (1 Peter 4:11).
2. Ministry Through Spiritual Service
•The apostles prioritized prayer and the ministry of the Word, focusing on spiritual needs.
•Their ministry involved praying for revelation, interceding for the Church, and teaching Spirit-led messages.
•Today, all believers are called to minister spiritually by relying on the Holy Spirit to guide their understanding and delivery of God’s Word.
Ministering the Word of God
Spiritual Process
Drawing from John 7:38–39, this training emphasizes the principle of living water flowing from a believer’s heart:
•Cause: Faith and reliance on Christ as the source of revelation and guidance.
•Effect: Spirit-filled actions and words, characterized by freshness, power, and impact.
Ministering the Word must come from a heart connected to God, not from human intellect or effort. Without the Spirit, attempts to minister may become ineffective, producing “dead water” rather than life-giving streams.
Receiving the Word of God
Three ways believers receive God’s Word to minister:
1. Through Scripture Reading: The Spirit highlights passages that speak directly to the believer’s heart, transforming written text (logos) into a personal message (rhema).
2. Through Prayer for Others: While interceding, the Spirit reveals insights about the needs of others and the appropriate message for their growth.
3. Direct Revelation from God: Believers may feel a burden or urgency to share a specific message impressed upon their hearts by the Holy Spirit.
Preparing and Delivering the Word
To effectively minister, believers must prepare with the Spirit’s guidance:
•Consider the spiritual maturity of the audience (milk for new believers, solid food for the mature).
•Avoid extremes—being overly simplistic or excessively technical.
•Rely on the Spirit for structure, illustrations, and delivery.
Key Elements of Delivery:
1. Introduction: State the aim of the message.
2. Body: Present 1–3 main points using scripture, paraphrases, and personal illustrations.
3. Conclusion: Reiterate the main teaching to reinforce understanding.
When the Spirit flows through the message, believers may sense that the words they speak are not entirely their own, reflecting the Spirit’s work in their delivery (Isaiah 55:11).
Application and Practice
Participants are encouraged to:
•Reflect on their past experiences of serving or ministering in the Church.
•Identify whether their ministry flowed from reliance on the Spirit.
•Prepare a 10-minute Spirit-led message using the format provided and deliver it in the next session.
Homework
Prepare a simple message inspired by the Spirit, integrating the principles of living water and Spirit-led ministry. Use scripture, personal insights, and illustrations to convey a Spirit-filled teaching to the group.
