Education: Deepening your members biblical knowledge of S.H.A.P.E. and Serving
“Invest time in teaching your members the biblical basis for lay ministry. Then teach it in classes, sermons, seminars, home Bible studies, and any other way you can emphasize it. In fact, you should never stop teaching on the importance of every Christian having a ministry.”
Rick Warren, The Purpose Driven Church
Launching and Leading C.L.A.S.S. 301
C.L.A.S.S. 301 is the third of Saddleback’s four basic classes. Since these classes build on each other, members should have already attended C.L.A.S.S. 101 “Membership” and C.L.A.S.S. 201 “Maturity” before attending this class. We are convinced that you must first be committed to membership in a church family and committed to the habits for spiritual maturity before you are ready for ministry. Membership and maturity are the foundations for ministry.
C.L.A.S.S. 301 is taught 10 times a year on Sunday afternoons from 3-7 p.m. The time is broken down into the following sessions.
| Session |
Teaching |
Reflecting |
| Introduction |
45 minutes |
|
| Spiritual Gifts |
30 minutes |
15 minutes |
| Heart |
10 minutes |
10 minutes |
| Abilities |
10 minutes |
10 minutes |
| Personality |
10 minutes |
10 minutes |
| Experiences |
10 minutes |
30 minutes |
| Availability |
10 minutes |
5 minutes |
| Close |
10 minutes |
|
| Total time: |
2:15 |
1:20 |
| Dinner break is approximately 25 minutes. |
The following is a list of forms used in C.L.A.S.S. 301.
- Class notes – These are what each member uses to follow along in class. These notes include the S.H.A.P.E. assessment tools.
- S.H.A.P.E. profile – This is a three-ply NCR form to capture the critical clues of a member’s S.H.A.P.E.
- My service opportunities – This is a sheet of paper that asks the members to identify five people in their lives, the needs they could meet for these people, and how their S.H.A.P.E. helps them meet these needs.
- Class covenant card – This is a small card that the members sign and it is then returned to them during their S.H.A.P.E. Discovery Session.
- S.H.A.P.E. Discovery Session sign-up sheets – These are the appointment sheets on which the members sign up.
- S.H.A.P.E. Discovery Session reminder card – This is a small card used to remind the members of their S.H.A.P.E. Discovery Session time, date, and guide’s name.
- Rick’s picks – This is a flyer highlighting the top ministry opportunities.
- Next step/evaluation card –This is a small half-sheet of paper that signs the members up for C.L.A.S.S. 401 and asks them to evaluate the class.
C.L.A.S.S. 301 Follow-Up: How will you ensure your members find the right place to serve that best expresses their S.H.A.P.E. We will discuss this next month. See you then!