WEEK 1
INTRO
Passion/Enthusiasm
ICEBREAKER
If you had $10,000 to donate, (other than to your church) what cause or organization
would your donate to, and why?
PASSION
One pastor said “What God made you to BE determines what God intends for you to
DO.” God has been molding you for ministry since before you were born. We’ve
come to see how our personalities are a gift from God and how we’ve been given
spiritual gifts as well. God is also shaping your heart to be excited by and inclined to
certain opportunities for ministry. The bible uses the term “heart” to represent the
center of your motivation, desires, interests, and inclinations. Your heart determines:
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Why you say the things you do (Matthew 12:34)
Why you feel the way you do (Psalm 34:7)
Why you act the way you do (Proverbs 4:23)
QUESTIONS
Have you ever felt your life and faith come to a place of spiritual monotony?
READ
Romans 12:9-13 (ESV) Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. Love one another
with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. Do not be slothful in
zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be
constant in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show
hospitality.
QUESTIONS
Which command from this passage is easiest for you to keep…which is most difficult?
All of us jump at different kinds of opportunities to serve. What kinds of service
make you excited to participate?
Ralph Waldo Emerson once said, “Nothing great is ever accomplished in life without
enthusiasm.” You have to have a passion to see something great happen. That’s why
we need to nurture the enthusiasms God has given us.
“Enthusiasm” has a fascinating etymology. It comes from Greek enthousiasmos,
which consists of the root words “theos” (God) and “en” (in). The word “enthusiasm”
literally means “God within.” I like that. To be enthusiastic means that God is working
in our lives giving us the desire and power we need to please Him.
Is there a difference between excitement and enthusiasm? There is! You might
remember it this way: excitement starts with “ex” meaning “outside, and enthusiasm
starts with “en” meaning “inside.”
The world may call us to be excited and motivated by external circumstances. God
calls us to be enthused and motivated by the Holy Spirit from within.
READ
Philippians 2:12-13 says, Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now,
not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own
salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to
work for his good pleasure.
The good news that God has for us is that He not only wants us to be enthusiastic
about our faith and service but He enables us to be enthusiastic for our good and His
glory.
When you serve out of enthusiasm, it has a profound effect on others. When you
approach anything with an upbeat commitment to get the job done, people begin to
take notice. When they see that you believe in what you are doing, they become
willing to join in the process. The secret, then, is to pour your life into something that
captures your heart, and give it all you’ve got.
QUESTIONS
CHOOSE FROM THE QUESTIONS BELOW TO LEAD YOUR GROUP IN DISCUSSING
WHAT PASSIONS GOD IS GROWING IN THEIR HEARTS:
What drives you?
• What would you do for God if you knew you couldn’t fail?
• What pushes you to action?
• What moves you so deeply that it keeps you awake at night?
Who are the people you most want to help?
• Who do you feel you can influence the most?
• Is there an age range you feel most drawn to? If so, what age group?
• Is there an affinity group I feel most drawn to?
What are the needs I feel most drawn to?
• What are the top two needs I love to meet for people?
• Why do I love meeting those needs?
What cause am I most passionate about?
• What cause or issue makes my heart race?
• Where could I make the greatest impact for God?
Solomon said in Ecclesiastes 9:10, “Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your
might…” and Paul wrote, “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for
men…” in Colossians 3:23.
FINISHING UP
Take the last five minutes of group to have people visit the Legacy Groups page at
www.legacychurch.org. There they can fill out the Serve Profile Form and hit submit.
PRAYER
Spend time today praying for the coming Spiritual Growth Emphasis, Make It
Personal, coming up at Legacy Church. Ask God for a soft heart and open mind to
what He has in store.
M/C