Doing Justice and Loving Mercy: Compassion Ministries, Student Workbook, SW16

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D O I N G J U S T I C E A N D L O V I N G M E R C Y : C O M P A S S I O N M I N I S T R I E S

pitfalls would you have to avoid so that your planning process does not undermine the leading of the Spirit in your work for the Lord?

* Of the three phases of ministry management covered in this lesson, which of the phases is your strength, and which do you need most help? How much time do you spend preparing for the ministry projects you are involved in? Do you spend time monitoring your projects in the midst of implementing them? How much time do your spend checking the fruits of your work against your goals for it? * Of all the challenges that the urban community offers those who minister within it, which is your greatest challenge? How have you sought to overcome this challenge? In this discussion about the nature of planning and setting goals, it is important to review for a moment some of the key Scriptures which underwrite the notion that we can and should plan, but always remain open to the leading and direction of God. He and he alone is sovereign, and as such, can alter or transcend any plan we have to coincide with his own greater plan for us, and for his glory. • Gen. 45.4-8 - So Joseph said to his brothers, “Come near to me, please.” And they came near. And he said, “I am your brother, Joseph, whom you sold into Egypt. [5] And now do not be distressed or angry with yourselves because you sold me here, for God sent me before you to preserve life. [6] For the famine has been in the land these two years, and there are yet five years in which there will be neither plowing nor harvest. [7] And God sent me before you to preserve for you a remnant on earth, and to keep alive for you many survivors. [8] So it was not you who sent me here, but God. He has made me a father to Pharaoh, and lord of all his house and ruler over all the land of Egypt.” • Gen. 50.20 - As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today. Our Plans and God’s Sovereign Overrulings!

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• Job 23.13 - But he is unchangeable, and who can turn him back? What he desires, that he does.