Motivating Gift-Based Service at Grace Baptist Church, Santa Clarita, California

Abstract

ABSTRACT

MOTIVATING GIFT-BASED SERVICE AT GRACE BAPTIST CHURCH, SANTA CLARITA, CALIFORNIA

Rodney James Martin, D.Ed.Min. The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, 2019 Faculty Supervisor: Dr. Stuart W. Scott

The purpose of this project is to motivate gift-based service in the church. Chapter 1 identifies a problem in the church, a small percentage of regular attenders who are actively serving in the church. In addition, not all of those serving are using their God-given spiritual gift. The proposed solution to the problem is to teach God’s purpose for man, a believer’s identity in Christ, the purpose of the church, and the giftedness of each believer in the church.

Chapter 2 provides a biblical framework for addressing the problem, teach God’s purpose for man. God’s chosen are to be made in the image and likeness of Jesus Christ so they can serve Him forever in the new heaven and earth. Service involves the active use of each believer’s spiritual gift.

Chapter 3 explains the difference between godly motivation and fleshly motivation. Satan motivates with fleshly, self-centered, desires. By contrast, God motivates through His Word and His Spirit to make disciples of Jesus Christ.

Chapter 4 describes the philosophy and methodology for developing eight lessons intended to motivate Christ-followers to gift-based service in the church. The lessons start where God does in Genesis chapter one and introduce God, man, Satan, and temptation in that order. God allows Satan to test mankind in order to demonstrate their allegiance. God’s resources for believers are then introduced: the Word of God, the Spirit of God, and the people of God.

Chapter 5 evaluates the effectiveness of the eight lessons. Although they were deemed successful, the eight original lessons were modified to fourteen shorter lessons and the flow was changed slightly. Parts of the lessons were then taught to an ABF and a men’s Bible study, both to good effect. Only God can motivate His people to gift-based service. God is a teacher, and the Bible is His textbook.