Appropriate preparation is essential to maximize our effectiveness in ministry. Jesus did not send out the twelve on the first day of their discipleship; and He did not send them out without detailed, specific instruction. At least five aspects of preparation are needed to ensure victory upon being sent out into the darkness:
1. Equipping
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Training
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Practice
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Confidence
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Availability
Self-Evaluation:
How Prepared Are You Now?
Objective: To gauge your current level of preparedness. This is not meant to intimidate or discourage you. We all have plenty of room for growth! This self-evaluation will help you realize what kinds of help you can offer to people now and in what areas you have room for growth and improvement in order to be more fully prepared to do the works of Jesus.
1. Equipping
a. Have you received the Baptism in the Holy Spirit? (Acts 19:2–6)
b. Have church leaders laid hands on you for the impartation of gifts of the Spirit? (1 Corinthians 12 and 14)
c. Do you take advantage of opportunities to receive spiritual impartations from godly leaders when those opportunities are offered? (1 Timothy 4:14 and 2 Timothy 1:6)
2. Training
a. Do you search the Word of God for answers to problems?
b. Do you use tools like concordances, dictionaries, and related software in your study of the Bible?
c. Are you able to hear God’s voice in a variety of ways?
d. Do you have mentors or teachers you respect and learn from regularly? (Proverbs 13:20)
e. Do you function in the gifts of the Holy Spirit—prophecy, tongues, interpretation of tongues, words of knowledge, words of wisdom, discernment, healings, miracles, faith—inside and outside of church meetings?
f. Do you minister physical, mental, and emotional healing to people—inside and outside of church meetings?
g. Do you help people achieve deliverance from dark spiritual influences—inside and outside of church meetings?
h. Do you interpret your own dreams and the dreams of others?
i. Do you know how to baptize someone in water? (Matthew 28:19)
j. Do you know how to lead a believer into the Baptism of the Holy Spirit?
k. Can you clearly explain what someone must do to be saved?
l. Are you able to provide wise counsel to people who have problems in areas such as relationships, character, health, work or school situations, finances, or issues in their relationship with God?
We all have plenty of room for growth in these areas! Don’t be discouraged! Realize that God will use your own problems and circumstances to train you to be able to help others who have similar issues.
“First take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye.”—Matthew 7:5 (NASB)
3. Practice
a. Do you have daily scheduled times you set aside for the Word of God and prayer?
b. Do you ask God to speak to you in a variety of ways and keep a journal of what He says to you?
c. Do you read articles and books by wise, godly leaders? Do you watch their videos and listen to their audio messages?
d. Do you take advantage of opportunities to minister to people in church meetings?
e. Do you pray for and minister to the needs of your family members?
f. Do you participate in outreach events?
g. Do you participate in mission trips?
h. Are you alert for “God’s appointments” to minister to people that cross your path every day?
4. Confidence
a. In which areas of ministry do you feel most confident? These may be areas in which you can provide leadership or guidance for other believers.
b. In which areas of ministry do you feel least confident? You may want to focus on getting more training and practice in these areas.
5. Availability
a. How quickly could you rearrange your schedule in order to:
• seek God?
• learn or practice skills for ministry?
• minister to someone with desperate needs?
