Lesson 6

The Test of Ministry Preparation

The use of the test of ministry preparation

• God uses the tests of ministry preparation to build and make grow, not to tear down those whom He called.

Purpose of the Test:

• To assess and examine the true inner attitudes and motives of those whom He calls (1 Timothy 3:10)

Purpose of the Test:

• To sort out those who are really called by God• To equip those whom God called with spiritual understanding needed to help people

Deep Valleys that every Leader must

Face: 1. Time Test• The leader’s patience is tried• The purpose:

Illustration: Abraham (Gen.12-18) • Ishmael was born when he was 86• Isaac was born when he was 100

for growth in faith

Deep Valleys that every Leader must

Face: 2. Word Test• The leader experiences circumstances that seem to nullify the written or living word of God• The purpose:

Illustration: Joseph Genesis 37-45

to depend on God alone

Deep Valleys that every Leader must

Face: 3. Character Test• The leader’s worldly character must be eliminated• The purpose: leader’s own true inward

self be exposed and must call more on God’s grace

Illustration: Samuel (1 Sam. 2-3)

Deep Valleys that every Leader must

Face: 4. Motivation Test• The inner and outer forces influencing his decision making process are tested

to disclose in a leader his inner drives and

• The purpose:

Deep Valleys that every Leader must

Face: 4. Motivation Test

Illustration: Balaam, (Num. 22-24)

purify them into desires for the glory of God

• The purpose:

Deep Valleys that every Leader must

Face: 5. Servant Test

• The purpose:

• The leader’s humility is tested by

asking him to do menial tasks that seem below his high calling in Godto discern the leader’s

commitment to service

Deep Valleys that every Leader must

Face: 5. Servant Test

Illustration: Elisha (1 Kings 19)

• The purpose: if he really desires to help

and to serve or to be popular

Deep Valleys that every Leader must

Face: 6. Wilderness Test

• The purpose:

• The leader is put in a materially

and spiritually dry or desolate place

to appreciate the good thingsGod has put in his life and

Deep Valleys that every Leader must

Face: 6. Wilderness Test• The purpose: to strip the leader of all the

wisdom and ways of the world and to teach him the ways of His Spirit

Illustration: Moses (Exodus 2-3)

Deep Valleys that every Leader must

Face: 7. Patience Test

• The purpose:

• The leader’s expectation is not

fulfilled on timefor all the leader’s right be yielded to the Lord Jesus Christ

Deep Valleys that every Leader must

Face: 7. Patience Test

Illustration: Noah (Gen. 5-7)

• The leader’s expectation is not

fulfilled on time

- at 500 years, start building the ark- At 600 years, flood came

Deep Valleys that every Leader must

Face: 8. Frustration Test• The leader’s ministry and life’s

goal can’t be achievedto re-examine his spiritual priorities

Illustration: Paul (2 Corinthians 11)

• The purpose:

Deep Valleys that every Leader must

Face: 9. Discouragement Test

Illustration: Elijah (1 Kings 19)

• The purpose:

• The leader is place in a disheartening situation that will deprive his courage in the Lord

to meet God in prayer

Deep Valleys that every Leader must

Face: 10. Self-will Test

Illustration: The Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 26)

• The purpose:

• The test wherein God’s will counters with man’s plan

to subject man’s will to God’s will

Deep Valleys that every Leader must

Face: 11. Usage Test

• The purpose:

• The leader is put on the shelf

leader depends too heavily onhis actual service rather than the Lord himself for joy and spiritual fulfillment

Deep Valleys that every Leader must

Face: 11. Usage Test• The purpose: - to humble the leader- to purify the motives of the leader- to deepen the message of the leader

Illustration: John the Baptist (Matt. 3 Mark 1, Luke 1, 3, John 1)