Page 14 - BMIN191 Beginnning Internship

14 Beginning Ministerial Internship: Student Manual

Developing the Right Heart

LESSON The Lord had sought for a man after his own heart (1 Samuel 13:14). Tall and
1.1 talented, the ultimate picture of a leader, Saul stood out among his generation.
This son of Benjamin seemed to possess all the abilities and charisma the
fledgling nation would require in its first king. But Saul lacked one thing—the
right heart.
1.1.1 With God, the focus is centered on the attitude of the heart. At the start of life in
OBJECTIVE the ministry, individuals may already be aware of certain God-given gifts that they
Define the traits of an believe can be used for the benefit of the ministry. Indeed, God has invested gifts
honoring heart, an into each of His servants, but He has shown throughout the Scriptures that His eye
obedient heart, and a is more intently turned toward the development of the heart.
thankful heart. While gifts and skills may set one apart or establish evidence of a call to

1.1.2 ministry, it is the heart that will determine the lasting benefits one will bring
OBJECTIVE to God’s purposes. Having the right attitude of heart will ultimately be the
Identify scriptural deciding factor in how useful a minister can be in the kingdom of God. But what
examples of an honoring does the right heart look like, and how does one develop such a heart? As we
heart, an obedient heart, often discover, the standard of a right heart is different from God’s perspective
and a thankful heart. than from ours. The heart God seeks must possess a consistent bent toward
righteousness and the desire to honor Him above all else.
1.1.3
OBJECTIVE An Honoring Heart
Identify and explain three
of the tests God presents The Essence
to those who serve in To honor is to defer to or give place to another. One of the fundamental
leadership. realities a minister must establish is a place as God’s servant—keeping the honor
of God as the central focus. Honoring God is acknowledging His place as Lord
and affirming His majesty, supremacy, and sovereignty. Simply put, a servant of
God must always know for whom he or she labors.

1 Identify three biblical There are many ways to demonstrate the honor that is due to God. First, there
characters who demonstrated is worship. The act of worship is the effort to ascribe worth to the one adored. An
honor for God. Explain your honoring heart is a heart that rejoices in and recognizes the greatness of God. As
choice.
such, the minister must cultivate a heart that worships God for who He is and for
what He does.
In Psalm 8, David reflects upon the majesty of the almighty God and
considers the meager state of man. He is humbled and amazed that this majestic,
powerful God cares for his seemingly insignificant existence. This is the attitude
of an honorable heart; it bows in humility as it sees the beauty and work of
God, particularly in the hearts of men and women, boys and girls. We can
never be worthy of even a little of what God provides. We find access into His
presence, though we deserve only judgment. Yet, by His grace and mercy, we are
welcomed and given a place of love and purpose. An honoring heart affirms that
there is much for which to be in awe of God.
The Demonstration
Examples of the honoring heart fill the pages of Scripture, beginning with
Enoch who stood out among his contemporaries because of his close fellowship
with God. Enoch’s desire to love and honor God is a good model for the minister
today because this servant possessed all that God requires in a minister’s heart.
2 In what way did Another example is Abraham, who is often referred to as the Father of Faith.
Abraham’s choice to follow
God demonstrate a heart that According to the Paul’s letter to the Romans, Abraham’s faith was demonstrated
honors God? in his actions—abandoning his home to pursue God’s greater agenda for his