The seven ‘E’s of a S.H.A.P.E. Discovery Session

After completing C.L.A.S.S 301, the next step for Saddleback’s members is to have a S.H.A.P.E. Discovery Session with a volunteer S.H.A.P.E. guide. During this one-hour session, the member and the guide will meet to talk about the member’s S.H.A.P.E. and the place of ministry that God has created him or her for. The S.H.A.P.E. guide relies on the Holy Spirit to lead and direct the member to the area of service where he or she will be fulfilled by using every aspect of the member’s S.H.A.P.E. The S.H.A.P.E. guides go through seven “E”s in order to have a successful S.H.A.P.E. Discovery Session:

Exchange information in conversation. Give a warm greeting and introduce yourself. Ask them about their day, what they thought of C.L.A.S.S. 301, etc.

Explain your role and the purpose of the session. Let them know you are a volunteer and that you will both be relying on the Holy Spirit as you learn about their spiritual journey, life experiences, and overall S.H.A.P.E. for serving.

Exalt God together in prayer. As the S.H.A.P.E. guide, you will lead the prayer.

Examine the S.H.A.P.E. profile (filled out during C.L.A.S.S. 301). This will take the majority of the time in the session. Be sure to listen carefully, and remember that you are there to “guide” and not “counsel.”

Expose readiness for ministry. Discuss their season of life (priorities, family, work) and their spiritual needs. Give them serving opportunities that will give them spiritual growth, if appropriate. Be sure to take into account the member’s time availability.

Explore ministry opportunities and provide a ministry action plan that will allow the member to get involved as soon as possible. Ask the member his or her preference as you speak about the ministry ideas.

Exit the session! Ask the member if he or she has any final questions, give him or her the evaluation form to fill out at his or her leisure, clarify who the leaders are over the recommended ministries, and make sure the member has the contact information, and finally, say a closing prayer, thanking God for the chance to meet with this person and discover how amazingly he or she has been created by God. Walk them out, give a handshake or a hug, and leave them with a warm smile!

If your church has implemented the S.H.A.P.E. Discovery Session process for your members, these seven “E”s can help your S.H.A.P.E. guides and your members feel confident, comfortable, and cared for during and after each S.H.A.P.E. Discovery Session!