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Table of Contents

Facilitators Instructions ........................................................................................................................... 3

MODULE 1 GOD’S PURPOSE —THE STORY THAT SHAPES OURS ..................................................... 5

MODULE 2 IDENTITY – WHO HAS GOD MADE US TO BE ................................................................. 8

MODULE 3 BECOMING WHO GOD MADE YOU TO BE ................................................................... 11

MODULE 4 THE CONTEXT WHERE GOD HAS PLACED US ............................................................... 15

MODULE 5 ALIGNING WHO GOD HAS MADE US TO BE IN THE CONTEXT HE HAS PLACED US ..... 18

MODULE 6 PARTICIPATING IN CHANGE THAT ALIGNS WITH GOD’S PURPOSE ............................. 22

APPENDIX SUPPLEMENTARY OPTIONAL EXTRAS......................................................................... 26

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Facilitators Instructions
Thank you for your willingness to facilitate the Seed Purpose Discovery course. We pray that it will be a blessing to both
you and the participants on the journey to discern your place within God’s story.

ACCESSING RESOURCES
All the resources you need can be accessed from the Facilitate Purpose Discovery site on the Seed Academy
(www.seedacademy.org.au). Before you start, we recommend you download and print out both this Facilitators Guide and
the Participants Journal. Please ensure that every participant has either a printout or editable PDF version of the
Participants Journal before they start Module 1. We also recommend you download each video before your session
(and have access to a screen to play them in the session).

FACILITATION PREPARATION AND TIMING TIPS

Please watch the facilitators intro video prior to starting course – you will find this on the first page of the Seed Academy
Facilitate Purpose Discovery site. The key learning outcome is defined at the start of every module for you to keep in
mind as you deliver. The key elements for each section are listed.

In this facilitator guide, instructions for Facilitators will be in grey italics.

DELIVERY TIMINGS
This course is ideally delivered in a local church community as 6 modules, face to face in a small group context. While the
full 2 hours per module is recommended, if only 1.5 hours is possible, you can still cover the core content and skip the
highlighted *optional sections in this facilitator guide. The course can also be delivered via Zoom as 1.5 hour modules (by
leaving out the optional sections). The delivery intensity is flexible to your context – anything from 6 x 2 hour weekly
sessions or 2-3 half day intensives.

In some contexts where existing groups meet, you might have even less time than 1.5 hours. In those cases, the 6
modules can be delivered over 10 weeks. Contact Seed for an alternative facilitator guide that suits those settings.

Each module (session) in this facilitators guide includes suggested time for each section next to the subheading. A variable
time indicates elements that can be excluded if you have only 1.5 hours instead of 2 hours. For example

1.1 INTRODUCTION TO PURPOSE DISCOVERY COURSE (25-40 minutes)

In this case:

 25 minutes would be the recommend time for that section if you are doing the module over 1.5 hours (excluding
optional activities which are provided in the supplemental guide in the Appendix)
 40 minutes would be the recommend time for that section if you are doing the module over 2 hours (including
the optional activities which are provided in the supplemental guide in the Appendix)

Once you print this guide, it is recommended you write the specific time (eg 730-810pm) you plan to run each section.

PRE AND POST COURSE SURVEY

We are freely providing these resources to local churches. The only thing we request is that each person in your group
completes the online pre-course survey (before or during Module 1) and post course survey (in Module 6). That helps us
to measure the impact this course is making and to share this with the generous donors who are supporting this course.
We can also share with facilitators the group progress upon your request.

Within a couple of days of completing the pre-course survey, participants will receive an email to access all the Purpose
Discovery Course resources on the Seed Academy. This will enable them to dig deeper or go back through any of the
material and to also catch up if they miss a session. In the post-course survey participants opt in to receive any further
Seed information.

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MAXIMISING LEARNING
We believe that outstanding learning combines four key elements:

1) A WELL DESIGNED CURRICULUM — This Facilitators Guide, the Participants Journal, videos and supporting resources
on the Seed Academy have been integrated and designed specifically to be used in a small group context of a local
church.

2) A COMMITTED FACILITATOR — that’s you! Most important is that you are a committed and mature follower of Jesus.
Small group facilitation experience is preferred, however regardless of your experience we expect you to be
committed to prepare for at least 1 hour for each module that you deliver. The word facilitator literally means ‘to
make things easy’ — so remember that is your mandate. You are not expected to be the expert (or be a teacher) – in
fact it is ideal if you are a co-learner. Your job is to make it easy for participants to get clarity on their purpose and to
move from a group of individuals into a fellowship of ‘purpose discovery’ learners together. To maximise interaction
and learning we recommend a facilitator-participant ratio to be maximum 1-10. It’s no problem if you have a bigger
group just recruit another facilitator to have 2 smaller groups.

3) MOTIVATED PARTICIPANTS — of course level of engagement will vary but remember people participating in this
course opt in and show up because they want to discover their purpose. A key tip to remember is people generally
seek connection before content. Please commit to pray for the participants throughout the course. Also seek to
understand them and their context as much as possible (e.g. What are their expectations? What is their Christian
maturity? What are their personal and professional needs? Are they motivated? What barriers to learning might exists
for them?)

4) A POWERFUL PROCESS OF GROUP LEARNING — this course integrates Bible Study with experiential learning and
appreciative enquiry and seeks to create a safe space where adults with a variety of ages and learnings styles will
benefit. We have designed elements into every session that will appeal to Activists (Experiences and Activities),
Reflectors (Debrief/discussions), Theorists (teaching/tools) and Pragmatists (Action plans). The danger is always
delivering according to our own preferred style, so please be sure to observe the preferred styles of your group and
ensure that your delivery style matches those learning styles.

Remember that as a facilitator you are an important, but not the only part of the quality of the learning experience. Use
the well-designed curriculum, trust the learning process, keep equipping yourself as a facilitator and enjoy getting to know
and to learn from and with the participants. As Paul prays in Ephesians 3, keep asking for wisdom and insight from “Him
who is able to do immeasurably more than we ask or imagine, according to His power that is work within us, to Him be the
glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen

If you have any facilitation related questions or challenges accessing or downloading content on Seed Academy please
contact mike.pola@seed.org.au / +61 492 943 570

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 MODULE ONE: GOD’S PURPOSE
MODULE 1 GOD’S PURPOSE —THE STORY THAT SHAPES OURS
(1.5-2 hours)

Learning Outcomes — Participants will:

• Identify how a process for discernment and exploration will deepen their awareness of who they are
becoming (spiritual formation) and builds a foundation for how they can participate with God’s purpose
(redemptive impact)
• Understand that God’s purpose is the central foundation for finding their purpose and place in the world
and that they are being invited into God’s plans, purpose and story (rather than them inviting God into
their story).
• Understand that their purpose is not about self-determination; it is about discernment and faithfulness to
align themselves and their context with God’s purposes.

Scripture: Ephesians 1:3-14, 1:15-23

1.1 INTRODUCTION TO PURPOSE DISCOVERY COURSE

(25-40 minutes)
Connect — Welcome participants to the course.
If the group don’t know each other ask people to introduce themselves and why they chose to come to this course. It is
important for facilitator to enable connection before content.

Watch Video "Welcome to Purpose Discovery" from Seed Academy.

(Optional) Activity — Purpose Scale

See supplemental guide in Appendix below.

Mention that this course is a process of discernment and exploration. This course invites us to discern our place
within God’s story so we can gain greater clarity about our purpose.

Read aloud the goals of the course from the Participants Journal (1.).

Illustrate using a ball of string or wool:

Many of us might feel like our lives are a bit like a ball of wool or string: knotted, twisted, confused. That
is a normal feeling – life is messy! But great comfort and confidence comes when we remember there is
a clear, bigger thread that you are a part of (God’s story) and when we understand that, with time,
whether we look forwards or back, we will see God’s thread at work in our daily life.
To demonstrate this, start pulling the thread out to the right and to the left of the ball of string representing God’s purposes
(and our lives as the tangled mess in middle).

Complete the pre-course survey (online) found by following the link or QR code in the Participants Journal.
If impractical to do so in the group, the facilitator can follow up with individuals to ensure everyone has completed the survey.
https://www.seed.org.au/purpose-discovery-pre-course-survey/

Mention that participants will gain access to Seed Academy (all content including videos) a few days after
completing the pre-course survey.

Pray and ask God to guide the process of purpose discovery.

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1.2 THE FOUNDATION OF SEED’S APPROACH
(15-20 minutes)
Mention that the best way to understand the goals of this course is to understand Seed's Foundational approach.

Watch the video "Seed's Foundational Approach" from Seed Academy.

Read the paragraphs explaining Seed's Foundational Approach (1.2).

Explain that this course is best understood using the metaphor of a seed:
 PART 1 (Module 1-3) is focused on “below the soil” the root deepening process of formation.
 PART 2 (Module 4-6) is focused on “above the soil” the fruit bearing process of design.

When we align who we are becoming (formation) and the changes we participate in (design) with God’s
purposes we can expect three things to happen that are at the heart of God’s purposes for the world:
 We flourish as we live the way God intended us to live.
 Our context flourishes as it is brought into greater alignment with God’s intention for it.
 God is glorified as we demonstrate the power and grace of God to a watching world.

(Optional) Illustrate the Seed metaphor using the Parable of the Sower
See supplemental guide in Appendix below.

Ask participants what their expectations are of the course (and of each other).
Help set group expectations and commit to fostering a safe sharing atmosphere.

(Optional) Activity – Get the group to agree on a covenant together

This is especially helpful for new groups who don’t have established culture and group norms.
See supplemental guide in Appendix below.

Read the two paragraphs under the heading “WHAT ARE YOUR EXPECTATIONS FOR THIS COURSE?”

1.3 WHY PURPOSE?

(20-30 minutes)
Mention that it is helpful to know where we are starting from which requires asking some questions about what
we think or understand about purpose.

Discuss the first question in the Participants Journal (1.3).

Question 1: “What do you think purpose actually means?”
 Purpose is the why that determines the how and what we do (for more on this, participants can look up
Simon Sinek’s Golden Circle)
 Dictionary definition: “Purpose the reason for which something is done or created.” Since God has created
us, we can say – “purpose is not self-determined, it is discovered”.
 As Christians, we are created for a purpose and saved for a reason: when we are saved, we are included in
the people of God, and His mission becomes our mission. Our own purpose is rooted in and can be found in
God's purpose.

Mention that purpose is a huge topic:

We ought to acknowledge from the start that we do not actually know God’s purpose in each and every
situation. We are not God. We are part of God’s purpose and whatever we do is also part of that.
Nothing is outside God’s control and purpose — He has a reason for everything — whether we see or
understand it or not.

Discuss the second question in the Participants Journal (1.3)

Question 2: “What would you say is your purpose?”

Remind participants that this course is seeking to help us respond to this question with clarity, to discover and
discern our place within God's story

Watch the video "Why Purpose" from Seed Academy.

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 Discuss the third question in the Journal (1.3).
Question 3: “Where might people look to discover their purpose?”

Mention that the diagram under the heading TWO WAYS OF FINDING PURPOSE in the Journal is a mindset shift
for many.

Read the paragraphs under the heading TWO WAYS OF FINDING PURPOSE.

1.4 GOD’S PURPOSE — EPHESIANS 1:1-14

(20 minutes)
Mention that purpose, by definition, is the reason for which something was created:
So, to understand our own purpose, we need to begin with understanding why God (your creator)
created you.

Read aloud the introduction to Ephesians 1 in the Participants Journal (1.4).

Read Ephesians 1:1-14.

Or ask someone else to read.

Discuss the three Bible study questions in the Participants Journal.

Question 1: What is it that stands out to you about the spiritual blessings that Paul lists in verse 3?
 Our election and adoption to Sonship by the Father (v4-6)
 Redemption and forgiveness in Christ (v7-12)
 Sealing with the Spirit (v13-14)
Question 2: Why do you think Paul constantly repeats the phrase "For the praise of his Glory" (v6, 12, 14)?
Some might be familiar with the Westminster Shorter Catechism that asked : What is the chief end of man? A.
Man’s chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy him for ever
Question 3: We often personalize God’s purpose, focusing on what it means for us. How does v 9-10 challenge this?
God’s purpose is not about us — it’s about bringing all things in heaven and on earth under Christ. There may be
mystery surrounding what exactly God’s will is for our lives but this passage reveals that God’s purpose is to sum up
and unify all of creation under Christ’s headship and rule. What a glorious purpose to be reminded!
Question 4: What else does Ephesians 1 reveal about God’s purpose and ours?
It is God's work that results in God being praised and glorified. In other words, God's glory doesn't rely on us
bringing/giving it. He will be glorified regardless!

Summarise the discussion and content covered in the session so far:

We have started our journey today by recognising that purpose, by definition, is the reason for which
something was created. So, to understand our own purpose, we have begun with understanding why God
(our creator) created us – for the praise of His glory! God is glorified (both by us and by the demonstration
of His grace and power) as we are becoming and participating in His purpose and story.
How to glorify God in the contexts God has placed us is the journey of discernment that we will be going
on in this course

1.5 NOW WHAT? PRAYING FOR GOD’S STORY TO SHAPE OURS (EPH 1:15-23)
(10 minutes)
Read the first paragraph in the Participants Journal (1.5).

Pray Ephesians 1:15-23 over the group.

Remind participants that what you get out of a course like this depends on what you put into it! It is highly
encouraged to spend time in between sessions thinking and praying about what you have discovered.

Read the last paragraph in the Participants Journal (1.5).

Encourage action:
Next module we’ll be thinking about identity and our story, because it is only by placing our story within
God’s story that we can understand God’s purpose for us.
If you completed the survey earlier you will get a link within 24 hours to Seed Academy where you can
review any of the videos. You are encouraged to watch the video 1.5 GOD’S STORY before next session.

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 MODULE TWO: IDENTITY
MODULE 2 IDENTITY – WHO HAS GOD MADE US TO BE
(1.5–2 hours)
Learning Outcomes - Participants will:

 Understand that their identity (who they are and who they are becoming) and their purpose is
formed by God’s story and shaped by God’s grace
 Reframe their story within God’s story as the primary source of their individual and collective identity
 Reflect on the stories and experiences that God has used to shape them and identify who God has
made them to be (giftings, passions, causes and vision)

Scripture: Ephesians 2:1-10; 19-21

2.1 UNDERSTANDING IDENTITY – OUR STORY WITHIN GOD’S STORY

(10-15 minutes)
Connect — welcome participants to the session.

Ask participants "What makes you, you? Where are possible places people might have their identity formed?”
People will often raise things that also come up in the optional video that you can watch as a follow on to this discussion, i.e.
identity is often formed from temporary sources (appearance, name, parents, mistakes, successes, where you live, what you
do, who you know, how much you have).

(Optional) Watch the video, “Stop Having an Identity Crisis”

If you have internet access you can watch this video by following the link:
https://www.rightnowmedia.org/Content/illustration/193848
Or, to find the video you can search Google or YouTube for: “What’s your Identity? Right Now Media.”

Explain that in this session we are exploring our identity as a key pillar of our purpose.
We might understand and view our identity and purpose as humans one way; but we are invited to
reframe our story within God’s story and purpose, rather than trying to fit God’s story into ours.
Refer to the Seed Foundational Model on the top right corner of the Participant Journal 2.1

Watch the video "Understanding Identity" from Seed Academy.

Read the 4 paragraphs in the Participant's Journal (2.1).

2.2 EXPRESSING IDENTITY

(15-25 minutes)
(Optional) Activity — Lolly Identity
See the supplemental guide in Appendix below.

Invite participants to reflect and then fill-in their responses to the first statement in the Participant's Journal.
The first statement is: "I am…" and is found in in 2.2 of the Journal

Mention that rather than just “I am”, a big part of our identity is “we are”:
Many people (especially in the West) find it easier to describe our identity as individual rather than
collective. In other cultures, it is easier to describe the collective than individual. But we are both!

Invite participants to reflect on 5 things everyone in the group has in common and write it next to the second
statement in the Participant’s journal:
The second statement is: "We are…" and is found in in 2.2 of the Journal

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 Discuss responses to the statement "We are…"
Try and find at least 5 things that the group have in common.

Pray and ask God to help the group discover their identity so deeply in Him that it fundamentally changes not
only our understanding of our individual story but also our collective story and identity.

2.3 FOCUS ON THE BIG PICTURE

(10-25 minutes)
(Optional) Activity — Count to 10
See the supplemental guide in Appendix below.

Read the first 2 paragraphs under the heading WHAT IS GOD’S STORY? in the Participant’s Journal.

Ask participants this question:

It’s one thing to say that God’s story is where we find our meaning and purpose, but what how would
you respond if someone asked you, what exactly is God’s story?
Facilitators Note: Depending on the spiritual maturity of the group, you might like to have them discuss this question in pairs or
triplets for a few minutes. Encourage them to refer to illustration of God’s story in the Participants Journals. The purpose is to
ensure participants have a foundational “Big Picture” of God’s story.

Ask participants the following questions:

So where do we fit on the story of God’s timeline?
And how can we understand our story within God’s story?”
It might be helpful to refer to 2 Corinthians 5:17-21 and help everyone in the group understand that, as believers, we already
are a new creation and are therefore a key part in God’s story.

Read the three paragraphs under the heading WHAT IS OUR STORY WITHIN GOD’S STORY

2.4 A NEW IDENTITY – EPHESIANS 2

(20 minutes)
Read Ephesians 2:1-22
Or ask someone else to read.

Read the introduction to Ephesians 2 in the Participants Journal (2.4).

Discuss the five Bible study questions in the Participants Journal.

Question 1: What caused the shift from “you were” (v1-3, 11-13) to “you are” (v10,19,22) in Ephesians 2?
We were without hope and without God (v11-12) but now, because of God’s great love for us, we are shown
mercy (not giving us what we do deserve v3). In his kindness, God sent Christ Jesus, extending us grace (giving
us what we do not deserve—eternal life v5-8).
Question 2: Why is it important to understand this change as a “gift” (v9)?
Emphasise the significance of being saved by faith and not by works.
Questions 3: What does verse 10 reveal about God’s purpose for us?
 We are given God's spirit to do good works, to reveal his glory and bless people.
 We are God’s handiwork—created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God has prepared in advance for us
to do. Remember from last week, the purpose of giving him glory and brining unity to all things.
 Identifying who God made us to be and reframing our story within God’s story and purpose rather than the
other way round (trying to fit God’s story into ours), ensures that being God’s workmanship is our primary
source of our identity, rather than the good works we might do.
Question 4: What does it mean for you to be both a member of God’s household and his dwelling place (v.19-22)?
 The story of the Bible is one of God building a family who love him, honour him and reign with him forever (See
also Eph 1:5; 1 John 3:1; Eph 3:14).
 When you identify yourself with Christ, you are saying: “I am a member of God's family” or “I am a part of the
people of God”. This means that what God says about us is more important than what anyone else might say
about us, even what we say about ourselves. In this way, God's story becomes our story
 God’s purpose is to make/be at peace with us and each other (v 11-18). God dwells in us so that we are able to
participate in his purpose
Question 5: How might this chapter of Ephesians help you reframe your identity?
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2.5 YOUR PURPOSE STORYBOARD
(30 minutes)
Read the two paragraphs describing the Purpose Storyboard in the Participants Journal (2.5).

Complete the Purpose Storyboard.

This is found in the Participants Journal at the end of Module 2 (after 2.6).
 Invite participants to write down some ideas about their History, Context, Gifting, Passions,
Causes and Vision.
 Mention to participants that after 10 minutes they will be invited to share your story with
someone else.
 Mention to participants that they SHOULD NOT complete the IDENTITY OR PURPOSE
STATEMENT right now (found at the bottom of the Storyboard) – this will be completed in the
coming modules.

Share your Purpose Storyboard (in pairs).

Split participants into pairs (1x Storyteller and 1x Listener).
Explain that each Storyteller will share their initial thoughts prompted by their Purpose Storyboard for 6
minutes. The Listener listens, then spends 1-2 minutes reflecting back to the Storyteller, highlighting the
parts of the story that particularly stood out and encouraging particular giftings and passions if they
know that person. Then switch so that the Storyteller becomes the Listener.
Facilitators Note: The purpose is not just for participants to get to know each other but is an active listening exercise to pick up
parts of a person’s story that may reveal some of their character and who God has made them to be which can be relayed back
to the person sharing their story as encouragement, and to help them reflect on they own lives and how their story fits in with
God's story.

2.6 NOW WHAT? REFRAME & SHARE YOUR STORY

(5 minutes)
Read the quote and first two paragraphs — stop before the text box (2.6).

Invite participants to prayerfully reflect and use the text box in the Journal to write down any parts of their
identity and story that they feel could be more aligned with God’s story.
Allow 2-3 mins.
If time allows, invite anyone to share to encourage learning from one another

Pray, asking God to help you reframe your story to be within God’s story and strengthen your identity in who
God has made you to be in Christ.

Encourage action
Before the next session:
 Encourage participants to identify someone who knows them well and share their Storyboard by
following the steps in the workbook (see below the textbox in Journal).
 Invite participants to reflect further on their unique ‘S.H.A.P.E’ (Spiritual Gifts, Heart, Abilities,
Personality and Experience), and do a free assessment at (link in Journal).

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 MODULE THREE: BECOMING
MODULE 3 BECOMING WHO GOD MADE YOU TO BE
(1.5–2 hours)

Learning Outcomes — Participants will:

 Discern and receive God’s invitation to align the way they think, what they believe and
what they long for with what God desires for them.
 Explore what they consider to be most important (values) and what is motivating them
(longings) and discern if that is aligned with God’s design and intent for them and who He
has made them to be
 Write an Identity statement that reflects how they have been made as God’s workmanship,
the ‘way they walk with Jesus’ and who they are becoming

Scripture: Ephesians 3:7-13; 3:14-21

3.1 WHO WE ARE BECOMING

(10-20 minutes)
Connect — welcome participants to the session.
As people arrive, ask them how the experience of sharing their storyboard was. For those that weren’t able to share their
storyboard with someone outside the group, encourage them to still take the opportunity to share it with someone they know
and trust

(Optional) Activity — Paper Clip

See the supplemental guide in Appendix below.

Mention that in this session we are continuing to go deeper in our formation to explore who we are becoming.
Refer to the Seed Foundational Model on the top right corner of the Participant Journal in 3.1

Read the four paragraphs in the Participants Journal (3.1).

Illustrate the process of formation by explaining the metaphor of a tree (roots and branches):
The facilitator might like to use an image of a tree to illustrate.
It can be helpful to see our lives as a living organism, like a tree. We need to consider both the things
that are visible above ground and those that are hidden below ground, in order to discover and live out
of our purpose. Things that are seen above ground can include our contexts, the actions and
relationships that are visible. Underground influences on our identity includes our thinking and longings.
Formation is deeply connected to design, as a tree’s roots are connected to its branches. Only with a
healthy root system can a tree bear good fruit (Matt 7:17-20). A healthy root system includes the way we
think, our character as well as even deeper our beliefs and convictions of the heart about what is most
important, such as our values that are reflected in our decisions and behaviours, and what drives us, our
motivators and longings.
To focus only on aligning behaviours, what others can see, and not consider how to align what dwells
beneath the surface — our thinking, longings, values and motivators — would be like pruning a tree
without ensuring it is also well watered and fertilised. Going deeper into the often hidden, usually
unseen root system in order to think about our values and longings, while also inviting God to remake
and form us at the deepest area of these values and longings, is the focus of this session.

Watch video, "Becoming who God has made us to be" from Seed Academy.

Ask participants the question, “What do you think it practically means to be invited into God’s story instead of us
inviting God into our story?”

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3.2 OUR PURPOSE FLOWS FROM GOD’S PURPOSE — EPHESIANS 3:7-13
(10 minutes)
Read Ephesians 3:7-13
Or ask someone else to read.

Read the introduction to Ephesians 3 (Journal 3.2).

Discuss the four Bible study questions in the Participants Journal.

Question 1: What does Paul understand to be his purpose (see verses 7-9)?
 To preach to the Gentiles the boundless riches of Christ, by God's grace.
Question 2: How does Paul’s purpose and who he was flow out of God’s purpose (see v 10-11)?
 That clarity of God’s purpose is what gives Paul confidence and freedom to approach God and assure other
believers that no-matter how tough his context might seem – there is no need for discouragement (for him
or those he seeks to serve)
Question 3: How does God invite His people to participate in His purpose?
 Through His people (the church), the wisdom of God should be made known. God is glorified when the
creation (including heavenly realms) looks on and sees in us an embodiment of the transformation that
God achieves through his grace in Jesus.
 His eternal purpose has been accomplished in Christ (no hidden plan!)
 This means that through Christ we can approach God with freedom and confidence

3.3 EXPLORING YOUR VALUES

(40 minutes)
Read the introduction, the text under “PART ONE”, and first three steps in the Journal (3.3).

Mention to participants that the task isn’t about “spiritualising” our values:
Simply identify which words you feel are very important. We will have an opportunity later to discern
whether what we think is important is aligned with God’s purpose.

Complete the 3 steps under “PART ONE”

Facilitator Note: This activity is very important but at first it will seem overwhelming. Many participants find this session the
hardest — it requires a lot of reflection and most likely a lot more time than you have available— it is worth letting
participants know this.
In 10 minutes it is unlikely that participants will get further than Step 2 but if they do they can start to prioritise their top 10
(Step 3). This will be an activity they can come back to and they can spend more time on outside of the session.
Some people might find this process challenging and perhaps even unsettling. Make sure you are pastorally caring for the
group and allowing people the space and time to process and to take time out if needed. Two key principles of adult learning
are ‘challenge by choice’ and ‘do no harm’. Observe how individuals are going and respond accordingly.

Read the paragraph under the heading “PART TWO”

This is found in 3.3 of the Journal.
Only read up to the subheading “Compare and Contrast”.

Discuss in pairs the questions under the heading “PART TWO”

Encourage participants to have about 3 minutes sharing each.

Read the 2 paragraphs under the sub-heading “Compare and Contrast” (Journal 3.3)

Explain that identifying your top values can lead us to crafting our personal Values Statement.

Read the explanation of Value Statement from the Participants Journal.

This is found in 3.3, above the second text box.
The facilitator is encouraged to give a personal example of their value statement (if it’s clear for them)

Invite participants to individually reflect and write in response to the questions above the first text box (Journal
3.3).
Write a value statement.
Value Statements are written in the second text box 3.3.

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 Share — invite participants to share their value statements.
You could do this in the in the whole group or in triplets.
 Highlight the diversity of the value statements — this reflects our unique identities.
 Emphasise that understanding what is important to someone helps us to understand not only who
God made them to be and who they are becoming but their daily decision making and behaviours.

Mention that in Module 5 we will explore in more depth how you can realign your priorities to make decisions in
your roles that are more in tune with your values.

3.4 YOUR IDENTITY STATEMENT

(10-15 minutes)
Optional Activity — Party Mingling (role play)
See the supplemental guide in Appendix below.

Read the two paragraphs under the heading IDENTITY STATEMENT

This is found in 3.4 of the Participants Journal.

Illustrate by providing some examples of identity statements:

I am like:
- a midwife delivering new ideas to the world
- a scientist experimenting
- a hiking guide showing the way up the mountain
- a ligament that connects parts of the body
- a mother duck who protects her chicks
It is far more powerful and helpful if the facilitator can give a personal example about their identity statement/metaphor – ‘I
am like….’

Pray (individually)
Encourage participants to ask God to give them an image or metaphor that might help describe their identity and giftings.

Record any pictures or metaphor that God brings to mind that might describe who you are.
Prompt participants to ask God why specific pictures or metaphors were highlighted.

Share responses to the identity statement/metaphor prompt, in pairs/triplets.

Split participants into either pairs or triplets (depending on size of the group) and share their responses.
They can start with the prompt “I am like…”

3.5 DISCERNING OUR THINKING & LONGINGS

(10-20 minutes)
Read the first paragraph and verse in the Participants Journal (3.5).

Invite participants to prayerfully and individually reflect on the questions in the Participants Journal and write any
responses in the space provided.
These questions are found in 3.5 of the Journal along with some descriptions, encourage participants to read through them
individually but in order the questions are:
 What do you love?
 What are you longing for?
 What are you afraid of?
 Are good things becoming idols?
 What motivates and drives you?

Mention to participants that this is time just to get them thinking but encourage them to spend more time on this
outside of the session.
Facilitator Note: these are great questions that would be more suited to a 5 hour retreat than a 5-10 minute
reflection time! These questions can be a resource not just for the coming weeks between sessions but also for future retreats.

(Optional) Share in pairs/triplets the key things that stood out as you started to discern your longings.
Allow 3-5 minutes. Emphasise confidentiality and that they will not be sharing back with the group.

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3.6 NOW WHAT? ALINGING OUR THINKING & LONGINGS – Ephesians 3:14-21
(10-15 minutes)
Read the first three paragraphs and verse in the Participants Journal.
This is found in 3.6 of the Journal and includes the verse Matthew 11:28-30.

Ask participants the following question, “Based on your reflections to the questions in the previous section, how
might you need to align your thinking and longings with God’s?”

Encourage action:
Using the space provided in the Journal (see 3.6) write down some of your answers to the question that
was just asked.

Mention the importance of finding someone they can talk with who might support and encourage them to align
their thinking and longing with God’s desire and purpose. And above all, pray!

Pray Ephesians 3:14-21 over the group:

Read the final paragraphs and verse under the subheading “Prayerfully read Ephesians 3:14-21” (Journal 3.6).

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 MODULE FOUR: CONTEXT
MODULE 4 THE CONTEXT WHERE GOD HAS PLACED US
(1.5–2 hours)

Learning Outcomes — Participants will:

 Explore how to be faithful in living into and up to who God has already made them to be by His grace
in Jesus, in the context (& roles) where God has placed them.
 Explore how they are already being used to bring about God’s story in their current context and how
their different roles might reflect God’s purposes
 Analyse and gain clarity on their current roles & responsibilities
 Discern how God might be inviting them to imagine and participate in change that aligns with His
design and intention for their current context.

Scripture: Ephesians 4:1-16

4.1 UNDERSTANDING CONTEXT

(10-15 minutes)
Connect — welcome participants to the session

(Optional) Illustration — Influencing Context (Food Colouring experiment)

See the supplemental guide in Appendix below.

Remind participants of the metaphor of the Seed (from Seed’s Foundational Image):
Refer to the Seed Foundational Model on the top right corner of the Participant Journal 4.1
 The first 3 modules have focused on “below the soil” the root deepening process of formation, to gain
greater clarity about how you can become who God has made you to be.
 We are now shifting into a second stage (Modules 4-6) to focus on “above the soil” the fruit bearing process of
design – how you can participate in God’s work ofchange, redemption and renewal in the context where
God has placed you.
But in order to discover and live out our purpose, we still need to examine the influence that the underground
aspects of lives will have on our identity, our thinking and longings.

Read the 3 paragraphs in the Participants Journal (4.1).

Watch the video, "4.1 Understanding Context", from Seed Academy.

Ask participants the following question, “Does this idea of context makes sense to you?”
Other questions you could consider asking include:
 How do you live out God’s purpose in the context where He has placed you?
 What Is the future story that God is inviting you to imagine for your context?

4.2 ROLES WE HOLD IN THE CONTEXT GOD HAS PLACED US

(10 minutes)
Read the two paragraphs in the Participants Journal (4.2).

Complete the first 2 columns of the “CURRENT REALITY” table in Participants Journal (4.2).
Do not complete column 3 yet, this will be returned to in 4.3.

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4.3 MY ROLES AND GOD’S PURPOSES
(15 minutes)
Read the first four paragraphs in the Participants Journal (4.3).
Stop at the subheading “PROVIDENTIAL WORK”.
Emphasise that each aspect of Banks' theory on God's Work is reflective of the character of God.

Invite participants to each read one of the descriptions of the aspect of God’s work and then present back to the
group what this aspect of work means.
You could also break them into pairs or into 6 groups. Allow 1 or 2 minutes to read and engage before presenting it back for
just 1 minute for each division of work.

Read aloud the instructions under the heading REFLECTION at the end of 4.3
This is the paragraph beginning with “Return to the table…”

Complete the third column titled “GOD’S WORK” in the “CURRENT REALITY” table
This is found back in section 4.2 in the Participants Journal.

Discuss in pairs or triplets the final 2 questions under REFLECTION at the end of 4.3 in the Participant Journal:

4.4 LIVING A LIFE WORTHY OF THE CALLING IN THE CONTEXT GOD HAS
PLACED US — Ephesians 4:1-16
(10 minutes)
Read Ephesians 4:1-16.
Or ask someone else to read.

Read aloud the two paragraphs setting the context of Ephesians 4:1.
This is found in 4.4 of the Participants Journal.

Discuss the question in 4.4 of the Participants Journal.

Question: How might you “live a life worthy of the calling you have received” (Ephesians 4:1) in the context where
God has placed you?
 Acknowledge that answering this question is not easy. The rest of the course is really unpacking this ‘How’
question more.
 Further prompt with these questions: what would maturity in Christ look like individually and collectively in
your context? What would it not look like? What would it look like for everyone to fully use the gifts God
has given them and the whole body being aligned and working together is maturity in Christ (Ephesians
4:15-16)?
 Mention that the purpose of spiritual gifts is not for self-promotion but for the common good for the
benefit of serving others to build up the body:
o v.12 "to equip his people", "so that the body of Christ may be built up"
o v.13 "become mature, attaining the whole measure of the fullness of Christ"

4.5 UNDERSTANDING YOUR ROLES/ RESPONSIBILITIES & PURPOSE

(15-20 minutes)
Read the 2 paragraphs in the Participants Journal (4.5)
This includes the definitions of Personal Responsibility and Purpose.

Illustrate how someone might complete this activity, ideally by providing an example from your own life.
For example:
 In my role as a barista, I have a high personal responsibility to myself in this role as I have to pay rent but I currently
feel it is low purpose (Q4)
 By comparison, in my role as a church member, it's important to me and has a high connection to my life purpose, but
if I were to leave my church, the church doesn't fall apart. So, it sits on right hand side but lower on the responsibility
axis (Q2)

Complete the quadrants tool by putting each of your roles into one of the four quadrants
Participants can refer back to the table in 4.2 for their list of roles.

16
 Discuss in pairs or triplets the table on the following page to interpret what each quadrant might mean.
The paragraphs below the quadrant table just help interpret more — participants can decide if they want to read more in their
small groups or just discuss

Invite participants to reflect individually or in pairs on the questions in the Participants Journal under the heading
“REFLECTION”.

(Optional) Share — Invite 1 or 2 people to share with the whole group their response to the final question.
Further question: Are there any future changes which are emerging or do you perhaps feel more affirmed that your roles,
especially those with high responsibility, have a clear sense of purpose?

4.6 AN IMAGINED FUTURE

(15-25 minutes)
(Optional) Activity — Make a Choice
See detailed instructions for this optional activity in the supplemental guide in Appendix below.

Read aloud the first two paragraphs in the Participants Journal (4.6).

Pray individually and prayerfully imagine life and what roles/contexts might look like in 10 years.
Encourage participants to find a quiet space and spend 10 minutes reflecting and responding to the questions in the Journal
(4.6).
Prayer and listening to God through this process is essential as it is God’s will we are trying to discern!
Facilitators Note: If 10 years doesn’t suit participants then encourage them to choose timeframe that best suits them

Capture a snapshot of what could be, ideally in pictures.

The preference is that participants draw, because it engages the imaginative parts of the brain and allows broader thinking,
but there are no rules.

(Optional) Share — Invite 1 or 2 people to share with the whole group their imagined future and use it as a case
study to explore who they are serving in that image.
This can serve as a link to the next section.

4.7 NOW WHAT? PRAY ‘WHO WILL I SERVE’?

(15-25 minutes)
Complete the “IMAGINED FUTURE” table in the Journal (4.7).
Encourage participants to prayerfully reflect on their roles, the people they might be serving and God’s work they might be
involved in as the complete this task.
Participants can refer to the images they captured back in 4.6
If appropriate put background music on. Recommended track: Robin Mark’s “Jesus, All for Jesus”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H1Wa2msOq9c

(Optional) Share — Invite participants to share their imagined futures in pairs.

See the supplemental guide in Appendix below.

Read and Reflect individually or in pairs on the questions under the heading “REFLECTION”

Pray to close, asking God to help each person to “live a life worthy of the calling” (Eph 4:1), in each of our unique
contexts.
Encourage participants to keep praying and exploring how to be faithful in living into and up to our new God-given identity in
the wider body of Christ and context where God has placed us.

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 MODULE FIVE: ALIGNING

MODULE 5 ALIGNING WHO GOD HAS MADE US TO BE IN THE CONTEXT HE HAS

PLACED US
(1.5–2 hours)

Learning Outcomes — Participants will:

 Understand the idea of alignment and the need to come to Jesus and allow the Spirit to align their
thinking and longings and their actions and relationships with God’s purposes.
 Use focus questions to explore if any of their priorities (actions) or roles (relationships) need to be
brought into greater alignment with God’s purposes.
 Discern how God might be forming and inviting them to reform their practices and rhythms to align
with God’s purpose

Scripture: Ephesians 4:17-24; 5:8-20; 6:5-9

5.1 UNDERSTANDING ALIGNMENT

(15 minutes)
Connect — welcome participants to the session.

Complete the circle activity in the Participants Journal.

Participants can use that circle however they like to visually represent the approximate percentage of time spent in different
roles during an average week (allowing at least ¼ of your time for sleep!)
Emphasise there is no right or wrong way to do it but they may find it helpful to look back at their
different roles in 4.2.
After a few minutes, ask people to hold up their circle to show the group.

Illustrate — The Seed Integrates Purpose

Props needed: a mandarin or orange and a peach or any stone fruit.
Many of us have drawn our different roles as different segments of the circle, looking quite similar to
slices of an orange/mandarin.
Show them a peeled mandarin or orange, e.g. in half with segments showing.
This can be a helpful way to visualise time spent in different roles, but it tends to divide the sacred (e.g.,
church/home group), family and secular (e.g., work, sports team) and it makes it difficult to see the
integrated purpose across all of these roles. The different roles are real and do exist, however what this
Purpose Discovery course is trying to help you see is that the Christian life is more like a peach!
Hold up a peach or any stone fruit cut in half eg an Avocado.
God’s story and God’s purpose is like the Seed at the centre of everything we do, so that whatever we do
we seek to bring Him glory. Understanding and living into this life with a clear seed in the middle can
help us feel less like everything is ‘competing’ for our time & live in a more integrated way, recognising
God is at work in all parts, and all parts of our life is centred on Him and His purpose.

Mention that today we are focusing specifically on the process of aligning who God has made us to be in the
context He has placed us.
Refer to the Seed Foundational Model on the top right corner of the Participant Journal 5.1

Read aloud the 3 paragraphs below the circle in the Participants Journal (5.1).

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5.2 ALIGNING IDENTITY & CONTEXT WITH GOD’S PURPOSE
(15-20 minutes)
Watch the video "5.2 Aligning Identity & Context with God’s Purpose" from Seed Academy/

Read aloud the quote that John said in this video found in the Participants Journal (5.2).

Discuss the three questions in the Participants Journal (5.2):

Remind participants of what else John said in that video:

“it may be a difficult and a long journey to try and bring our life in alignment and see the changes in our
own behaviours and in our context”.
This is a difficult and long journey – but one that is very worthwhile going on! We may have to surrender
our deepest thinking and longings and invite God to be at work shaping and forming them. But this is
vital for us to step into greater alignment with God’s story and purpose.
The goal of this session is to help you on that journey of aligning who God has made you to be in the
context where he has placed you.

(Optional) Illustration – Equipment needed is 4 plates (ideally paper so you can label them)
See detailed instructions for this activity in the supplemental guide in Appendix below.

5.3 MADE NEW TO ALIGN WITH GOD’S PURPOSE – Eph 4:17-24

(5 minutes)
Read aloud Ephesians 4:17-24
Or ask someone else to read.
You can also mention that there is a similar passage in Colossians 3:5-14 (but no need to read).

Read aloud the text in the Participants Journal (5.3).

Facilitators note: these are points to explain but probably doesn’t need to be discussed unless participants don’t understand—
in the next section on Ephesians 5 there are questions to discuss more deeply

5.4 PUTTING THE BIG ROCKS FIRST – Ephesians 5:8-20

(15-20 minutes)
Illustrate the big rocks metaphor either by playing the video (from Seed Academy) or demonstrating the
illustration yourself.
Option 1: Play video, “5.4 Putting the Big Rocks First” from Seed Academy
Option 2: Follow the instructions in the Appendix below to doing the illustration yourself.

Read aloud the paragraphs in the participants Journal (5.4).

Read Ephesians 5:8-20

Or ask someone else to read.

Discuss in small groups (pairs or triplets) the three questions in the Participants Journal (5.4):

Mention the following:

 Being wise does not mean trying to cram more activities into an overloaded schedule. It might actually
mean doing less and focusing on what matters most to better align who God has made us to be in the
context He has placed us.
 Knowing your “big rock” priorities can help you concentrate your efforts and energy on what’s most
important — this includes saying “Yes” to things that are priorities on purpose and “No” to things that
are not!

(Optional) Ask participants the following questions, “What are your ‘big rock’ priorities? What might you need to
focus on saying Yes to and No to?”
Facilitators note: Encouraging sharing helps build within the group accountability and support to actually make changes after
the Purpose Discovery Course

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5.5 FOCUS QUESTIONS TO ALIGN YOUR PRIORITIES & ROLES WITH GOD’S
PURPOSES
(15-20 minutes)
Read the first 4 paragraphs (up to the editable text box) in the Participants Journal (5.5).
Or ask someone else to read.

Complete the text box by reflecting on the question, “What is the most significant alignment challenge for you
right now?”

Read aloud the next few paragraphs (between the editable text boxes) in the Journal (5.5).
Facilitators note: If possible, give a person example of an alignment challenge and some focus questions you have written
yourself.

Complete 2 or 3 of focus questions by using the template provided.

(Optional) Share — Invite participants to share their alignment challenge and some focus questions with the
whole group.
Facilitators note: be clear these questions are not for the group to solve or answer but rather provide examples to learn from

Read the last paragraph (before the final text box) in the Journal (5.5).

Encourage action:
Write down what potential action could you take that might help you bring this challenge into
greater alignment with God’s purpose?

5.6 BUT WHAT IS IT THAT YOU SEEK?

(10-15 minutes)
Read the text in the Journal (5.6) including the quote from Richard Carter and the prompts for the two textboxes.
Or ask someone else to read.

Fill out the textboxes by prayerfully reflecting and considering the two ways you can respond to your focus
questions.

(Optional) Ask any participants to share with the group (or in smaller groups):
“Would anyone like to share any insights from the last question: What is it that you seek? Do you feel
that it is aligned with God’s purposes?
Facilitators note: Ensure the group are committed to safety/ confidentiality as this question can open some deep sharing and
potential areas that you might need to encourage pastoral guidance

5.7 NOW WHAT? REFORMING OUR PRACTICES & RHYTHMS TO ALIGN WITH
GOD’S PURPOSE
(20-30 minutes)
Read the first three paragraphs in the Participant’s Journal (5.7)
Or ask someone else to read.

Read and complete (individually) STEP 1 in the Participants Journal.

Share — Invite some brief sharing about what different learning styles are in the group
Facilitators note: Observe the diversity and emphasise that this is important to consider that we all learn in different ways—as
we will see this has implications for the spiritual practices and rhythms that we might best engage with

Read aloud the paragraphs under STEP 2 in the Participants Journal (5.7)
Or ask someone else to read.
Mention that explanations are provided on the following pages of what some of these spiritual practices might
involve.
20
Reflect and complete (individually) STEP 2 in the Participants Journal.

(Optional) Ask participants the following question, “Are there any spiritual practices you want to explore more to
go deeper with God through Scripture, Prayer, Community or Service?”
You can break participants into smaller groups.

Remind participants of what John in the video earlier:

“It may be a difficult and a long journey to try and bring our life in alignment and see the changes in our
own behaviours and in our context”.
This session has involved some deep thinking and hard work to identify and align what we desire with
God’s purpose and it will probably take more deep thinking, prayerful reflection (which we really
encourage).
Next week we will be praying and sending each other to make some of those changes

Pray to close.
Either pray Ephesians 1:17-23 over the group again and/or pray for each other as you seek to commence or
deepen some spiritual practices.

21
 MODULE SIX: PARTICIPATING
MODULE 6 PARTICIPATING IN CHANGE THAT ALIGNS WITH GOD’S PURPOSE
(1.5–2 HOURS)

Learning Outcomes — Participants will:

 Discern their unique sense of purpose within God’s purpose (their place within God’s story) & write a
Purpose Statement that reflects both who they are becoming and the change God might be preparing
them to participate in (Eph 2:10)
 Identify specific types of changes (personal, relational, structural and cultural) to better align their life
and context with God’s purposes, along with potential resistances and responses.
 Be sent out with humble confidence that God gives the resources to be Redemptive Changemakers in
the contexts where He has placed them

Scripture: Ephesians 6:10-20

6.1 ALIGNING THE CHANGE WE PARTICIPATE IN WITH GOD’S PURPOSE

(5-10 minutes)
Connect — welcome participants to the session

(Optional) Illustration – Rubber Band Resistance

See detailed instructions for this optional activity in the supplemental guide in Appendix below.

Mention that in this final session we are focusing on aligning the change that we participate in with God’s
purpose.
Refer to the Seed Foundational Model on the top right corner of the Participants Journal 6.1

Read aloud the 3 paragraphs in the Participants Journal (6.1).

6.2 TYPES OF REDEMPTIVE CHANGE

(5-10 minutes)
Read aloud the paragraphs in the Participants Journal (6.2), including the text in the quadrant diagram.
Or ask someone else to read.

(Optional) Discuss in small groups (pairs or triplets) the question prompt in the Participants Journal (6.2):
“What types of redemptive change do you feel God is inviting you to participate in within the context He
has placed you?”
Facilitators note: participants will return to this in the action plan when they will plan for the different types of redemptive
change they hope to see.

6.3 YOUR PURPOSE STATEMENT

(20-25 minutes)
Read aloud the first 3 paragraphs in the Journal (6.3), including the verse (Ephesians 2:10) and the purpose
statement template.
Or ask someone else to read.
If participants want more information you can help them to understand that this idea of a purpose statement is the from the
popular book/series ‘The Purpose Driven Life’ by Rick Warren. The purpose statement (even as a first draft) will give insight to :
 God’s purposes for your life (rather than specific goals)
 The direction of your life
 Help define ‘success’ for you
 Clarify your roles (what you should and shouldn’t say Yes to!)
 Express your ‘shape’ and reflect the unique ways God has made you to serve Him

22
 Mention that Ephesians 2:10 provides a great template for a Purpose Statement.
This Is because the verse tells us our identity (we are God’s workmanship) and speaks to our context
(created in Christ Jesus to do good works).
Using this as a template we can get very specific — what sort of workmanship would describe you?
(Your identity statement) and what sort of good works has he prepared in advance for you to do? (Your
purpose statement)

Read aloud the purpose statement examples in the Participants Journal.

Facilitators note: you can share the examples given in the Journal or (ideally) share your own purpose statement

Complete a draft Purpose Statement

Mention that it takes organisations a long time to define their purpose statement and that it is
unrealistic to expect participants to come up with a clear statement in this session. Emphasise this is to
get them started.

(Optional) Activity — Write your Purpose on a balloon

Equipment needed: balloon per person and permanent pens
See instructions for this activity in the supplemental guide in Appendix below.

Invite participants to share their draft Purpose Statements.

Either with the whole group or in small groups.

6.4 UNDERSTANDING RESISTANCE AND RESPONSES – Ephesians 6:10-17

(15 minutes)
Read Ephesians 6:10-17
Or ask someone else to read.

Read the introduction to Ephesians 6 in the Participants Journal (6.4).

Discuss the four Bible study questions in the Participants Journal.

Question 1: Where does our strength come from? (see 6:10)
 In verse 10 Paul says ‘Be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power’ Jesus has already won the
decisive victory (1:20-22).
 Being strong in the Lord also means that we cannot possibly bring change in our own strength.
Question 2: What type of resistance does Paul say we should expect? (6:11-12)
 Anytime we seek to bring change for God’s glory we can expect opposition – in both the physical and
spiritual realm.
 The victory has been won by what Jesus has done but we are still living in a battlefield and we need to
be very clear where the source of our strength comes from to fight and be clear that what we are
fighting against makes the struggle very real and complex.
Question 3: In the face of this struggle and resistance, Paul repeatedly calls the Ephesians to stand (notice how it
is repeated four times in verse 11-14). What does standing firm look like in your context?
 Standing is about an active commitment to trust, to take up God’s resources and God’s armour
against the spiritual forces of evil, recognising that He who is in us, is greater than he who is in the
world.
Question 4: In what ways does God’s armour equip us for the change we seek to participate in?
 The belt of truth is both the truth of God’s story, and our commitment to living that out.
 The breastplate of righteousness is about us living out the truth of our new identity, that in Christ we
reflect the righteousness of God.
 The gospel of peace sandals are our commitment to living out the truth of the gospel with our whole
lives. Revealing God’s good news through peace and love. Not a life of condemnation or striving.
 The shield of faith is the truth of God’s faithfulness to us, that extinguishes the arrows of deception the
evil one would seek to throw at us.
 The helmet of salvation is the truth that victory has already been won by Jesus. That it can’t be
earned.
 And the sword of the Spirit is the truth of God’s word spoken to us by His Holy Spirit.

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6.5 PLANNING TO BE A REDEMPTIVE CHANGE MAKER
(15 minutes)
Read the 3 steps in the participants journal along with the quote from Andy Crouch in the Participants Journal
(6.5).
Or ask a few different people to take turns reading.
This video of Andy Crouch explaining Culture making is worth facilitators watching (no need to show participants) if you want
to understand more https://youtu.be/6Bx6kAILamc?t=57

Discuss the quote by asking, “In your community outside the church, what do you think are Christians known
more as Critics, Consumers, Copiers and/or Condemners of culture, or as Cultivators or Creators?”

Pray by asking God to help us reflect on what our response and actions will be to the two options in outlined in
the Participants Journal, Cultivate or Create.
Read the descriptions of these two options in the Participants Journal.

Complete the table “PLANNING TO BE A REDEMPTIVE CHANGEMAKER”

Facilitators note: This can take a lot of time – encourage participants to at least identify one or two main changes they want to
make and what barriers and action/responses are associated with those main changes. Encourage them to complete more
later.

6.6 GROW AS A REDEMPTIVE CHANGE MAKER WITH SEED

(15-25 minutes)
Remind participants that this course has been a process of discovery from the “inside out” in order to ensure that
whatever action we take is aligned with God’s purpose so we can keep walking in the way of Jesus
At this point, you can refer back to the Seed Foundational Approach diagram in journal (1.4) as an illustration.

Mention that it is hoped that as we continue in our journeys of becoming and participant that
 Each one of us will flourish as we live the way God intends us to live.
 That our contexts will flourish as it is brought into greater alignment with God’s intentions.
 God will be glorified as we demonstrate the power and grace of God to a watching world

Read the three paragraphs in the Participants Journal (6.6).

Watch the video "6.6 Thankyou from Seed" from the Seed Academy.

Mention that Seed has different courses that can help:

 Cultivate change in your context
 Create something new
Encourage participants to read this information in their own time and they can express interest to find out more about these
Seed courses via the post course survey that you will do in a few minutes.

(Optional) Discuss and invite people to share responses to this question:

“As you consider the changes that God is inviting you to participate in, do you feel you are being led to
either cultivate change in your context or create something new? How?”
Invite anyone to give an example of a specific way they are hoping to bring change to their context or to create something new

Complete the questions in the Participant Journal (6.6)

Invite participants to share their responses (in 30 seconds).

Mention that Seed ask all participants to do a post course survey.

This helps the team at Seed understand how this course has impacted you and how you would like to stay
connected with Seed
In this survey you will be asked to share about the most significant change that has happened for you –
you can simply copy/paste what you wrote before .

24
 You can also opt in to join the Seed community and receive news and further resources to help you be a
redemptive changemaker

Complete the post-course survey (online) found by following the link or QR code in the Journal.
Facilitators note: Please try to do this in the final session, but if impractical to do so in the group, the facilitator can follow up
with individuals to ensure everyone has completed the survey. https://www.seed.org.au/purpose-discovery-post-course-
survey/

6.7 SENDING OUT AS REDEMPTIVE CHANGE MAKERS – Ephesians 6:18-20

(15-20 minutes)
Read Ephesians 6:18-20 .

Read the paragraph in the Participants Journal (6.7).

Mention that the way we are going to finish this Purpose Discovery journey together is to pray for each other now
and keep praying for each other

Pray for one another, sending each other out into the context where God has placed each person.
Option 1: Split into pairs and pray for one another
Option 2: Facilitator can quickly pray for each person.
Option 3: Multiple people pray for each person. If appropriate within the culture of the group, stand in a circle and each individual
has an opportunity to come to the middle of the circle for the group to lay hands on them (Acts 13:2-3, 16:6), pray for them and
send them out.

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APPENDIX SUPPLEMENTARY OPTIONAL EXTRAS
1.1 INTRODUCTION TO PURPOSE DISCOVERY COURSE
Optional Activity – Purpose Scale
If you have space in the room, put items on the ground to represent a scale from 1-10 and explain it is a scale from Strongly
Disagree to Strongly Agree.
If you don’t have space or are doing this on zoom then participants can hold up the number of fingers (1-10)
Some of us might feel we need clarity on our purpose, some of us might have never really thought about
this. To find out the diversity of where we are starting at, I will ask you a few questions. There is no
right or wrong answer
Stand on the line from 1-10, how strongly you agree with each statement*
(1 = strongly disagree, 10 = strongly agree)."
Facilitator note: you can think of purpose related questions that are most relevant to engage the group
Give an example – eg I like cold weather. Where would you stand?)

1. I am completely clear about my purpose

2. At the stage of life I am at now, I am clear who I am & what’s important
3. I often wonder, “what is the point of all the things I am currently doing”?
4. I am clear about the changes I long for and am seeking to participate in
5. I’m willing to make changes to align my life with God’s purposes

After each question, ask if anyone would like to share why they are standing where they are (invite a few responses from
different points of the scale)
If you have time and a mature group you can invite others to ask a question (related to purpose) that they would like to ask the
group (and have people move)
Encourage people that they are not alone – as we say in that brief activity – others are asking some of the same questions you
are asking – it is a shared journey!

1.2 THE FOUNDATION OF SEED’S APPROACH

Optional Illustration — Explain the Seed metaphor further using the parable of the sower
Let’s think more about this Seed Metaphor. Jesus tells us in the parable of the sower that the seed is the Word
of God (Mark 4:10-20) – the revelation of God’s life and truth through Jesus. This seed is the foundation for
purpose. The primary place we get access to the revelation of this purpose is in the Bible.
The parable of the Sower comes with a warning – the seed without roots will only last a short time and wither
away when trouble or persecution comes. It is not only rootless seed that will not last – but also seed planted in
the wrong place, among thorns, will be choked making it unfruitful. So, to discover our purpose we need to
consider not only the things that are seen above the ‘soil’ (our context and the actions we take and the roles and
relationships we have) but to also examine the deeper, more hidden areas of our life (our identity and our
thinking and longings).
To discover our purpose and for us to flourish, the formation process of who we are becoming and deepening our
roots in Christ is critical (Col 2:7; Jer 17:8; Ps 1:3). Formation is deeply connected to design, as a tree’s roots are
connected to its branches. Only with a healthy root system can a tree bear good fruit (Matt 7:17-20). The fruit
are the tangible, multipliable crop that the design process shapes – change that we participate with God in our
context, helping our context and the people in it flourish for God’s glory (Galatians 5:22-23; John 15:1-16; Mark
4:20)

Optional Activity – Get the group to agree on a covenant together

This is especially helpful for new groups who don’t have established culture and group norms

Ask, “Do you know the difference between a contract and a covenant? Which is stronger?”
Contract is legally binding, covenant is promises). God is a covenant making, covenant keeping, and covenant fulfilling God – His
love isn’t contractual or conditional – it is a stronger promise to be kept.
So we can get the most out of this course, I am going to ask you to ‘covenant together’ & make 5 promises
that sums up a lot of what you shared are your own expectations (I will use my hand to explain in a way we
can easily remember!)
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 1. Little finger – reminds us SAFETY. We commit to emotional and physical safety together (what is shared
here stays here)
2. Ring finger – reminds us of COMMITMENT. In this course we commit to seeking our purpose, being on
time, and coming! Our expectation is you attend at least 5/6 of these sessions…we know life happens
but if you can’t come one week you catch up with someone else to find out what you missed (this is
important as each session builds on the next)
3. Middle finger – reminds us of RESPECT (although this finger is used badly in our culture, let’s redeem this
– notice it’s the tallest finger – stand tall, share your experience and respecting our diversity and
different opinions)
4. Index finger – reminds us of RESPONSIBILITY (when we point the finger we have 3 fingers pointing the
responsibility back to us). Let’s take personal responsibility to discover our purpose. What you put into
this process is what you will get out of it!
5. Thumb - reminds us to be ENCOURAGING & to build one another up!

Do you think you can agree to this covenant of 5 promises?

Ask participants to agree to these as the covenant (promise) between them by giving each person a high five or in
whatever way is appropriate to the group.
CONGRATULATIONS! You have made this promise to each other – as the proverb goes, “one hand cannot
clap” – we need each other for this process of discovering our purpose!

2.2 EXPRESSING IDENTITY

Optional Activity — Lolly Identity
Pass a big bowl of candies (wrapped lollies) around the room and tell people:
Take as many as you want. It’s now or never- whatever you take now is your food supply to get you
through the next hour or so
Explain: For every candy/lolly that you have taken you must tell one thing about yourself – ideally things
that everyone in the group does not already know. It can be as serious or as silly as you like – but please
be wise with appropriate disclosure

2.3 FOCUS ON THE BIG PICTURE

Optional Activity — Count to 10
Equipment – 10 sticks of similar size (or even 10 pencils). Participants have to try and guess how the facilitator is forming the
numbers (between 1-10). The assumption often made is that the facilitator is using sticks / pencils to form the numbers when in
actual fact they are being formed with his fingers on the floor (behind the sticks).
To explore this aspect of Identity I want to do a short activity with you. You might not see the
connection at the start – but you will by the end - so just enjoy the challenge
I want to teach you an ancient way of counting to 10 using these sticks. You may have already been
trained in this ancient numbering system – if so, or if you discover how to do it, don’t tell anyone – just
allow everyone to discover it for themselves
I am going to use these sticks to show you the numbering system – and you have to try to figure out
which number it is. Remember the numbers are between 1 and 10 only
Facilitators Note: Keep using the sticks/markers to make random shapes on the ground but the actual numbers are made by
holding up the number of fingers (discretely at first) and then making it more obvious as the game progresses.
To make the number one for example, you arrange a random shape, and then make a fist with one hand and the other has one
finger out and all others closed as you lean on the ground.
Keep going repeating numbers (it’s not necessary to remember the shape as this will add to the fun) until at least a few people
figure it out
Discuss /Debrief Count to 10 Activity
Ask, “Where were you or others focusing on during the activity before you understood how the numbers
were being formed?”
Debrief what was going on. Most people will focus on the pens / sticks – because we are used to having numbers drawn &
written down / We’re used to looking at the obvious and not for something different
In life it is very easy to get carried away and have hyper focus on what everyone thinks is the right thing
and the right place to look.
Ask, “How can we be sure that we are focusing on the bigger picture?”

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 God has told us His story in the Scriptures. We need to listen to him and not make our own assumptions about purpose and
identity (based off what the world says)
Ask, “Thinking more specifically about our identity, how does what happened in this activity relate to
what the tendency can be in knowing who we are?”
We can get easily distracted by the intriguing cultural answers that tell us ‘who we are’ without realising that the real solution
to understanding who we are is to look beyond the ‘fancy sticks and formulas’ and see the bigger picture about what God says
Sum Up:
The only way we can really make any sense of our purpose is by first FOCUSING ON THE BIG PICTURE
(God’s story). We need to embed ourselves in God’s story and not only find our meaning and identity in
that but allow that to shape our thinking, longings, actions and relationships.

3.1 WHO WE ARE BECOMING

Optional Activity — Paper Clip
Give each person a paperclip.
I will give you a minute to make any new shape out of this paperclip (eg a heart - the more creative the
better)
(After a minute)
Now please try to change it back to the exact original shape so it would pass the Q&A factory test and be
resold
Facilitators Note: have an original paperclip and compare their attempt to return to the original
(After they try)
It is almost impossible to return it to the original version
This paper clip is just like you on two levels:
1. As we saw last week, as a follower of Jesus you are changed - you are a new creation. There is no
going back to your old self (just like this was once a paper clip but now is something else – unique!) .
As we saw last week in Ephesians 2, God’s story designates us with a new identity – no longer dead
in sin, but God’s handiwork, masterpieces, and citizen’s of God’s household.
2. As a follower of Jesus you are becoming something new – God’s workmanship is not finished. You
are in the process of becoming. Our role as followers of Jesus, is not only to understand our
identity, but to receive God’s invitation to have our thinking and longings aligned with His
purpose. That is what we are going to explore today

3.4 YOUR IDENTITY STATEMENT

Optional Activity — Party Mingling (role play)
Imagine you have never met these people before! (Delete all memory from your brain now!) You are at
a party and start mingling. Introduce yourself for the first time & keep the conversation going for 30
seconds before moving onto someone else.
Simulate a simple, fun meet and greet scenario for a few mins – so they interact with at least two
different people.
After a minute or two debrief the group
Ask, “What was the first question you asked or were asked?”
Most people will say ‘Hi. I am….<insert name>’
Ask, “What was the second question you asked or were asked?”
Most people will ask something like ‘What do you do’?
Introducing ourselves at a party simply by saying our name and our primary job or role at best can be a
helpful icebreaker but at worst it can reduce the beauty and complexity of our identity to one word and
reduce our many roles that we hold to one primary paid (or unpaid) role.
You may not use this as your intro at a party, but a helpful way out of this challenge about how to
describe who you are is to think of an identity metaphor or statement

4.1 UNDERSTANDING CONTEXT

Optional Illustration — Influencing Context (Food Colouring experiment)
Equipment Required: 2 clear cups, food colouring, bleach, baking soda, and water
Prep Instructions: Fill one glass about 3/4 full of water & Stir in 1 tsp of baking soda (this helps speed up the reaction after you
add the bleach)

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 How God is using you to bring about His story in your context might be completely clear like this water.
But for most of us it is likely it is not so clear
Add food colouring (Any colour) to darken the water)
Trying to influence the context in our own power might help a bit but the context will overpower you
and will still be unclear
Add some more water (more water will dilute but not clear the water)
It is only by participating with something (or someone) more powerful that we can see an impact
Add about ¼ cup of bleach and the coloured water (with baking soda) will become clear.
We need to discern how God might be inviting us to imagine and participate in change that that aligns
with God’s design and intention for our context.
Link:
This experiment illustrates a key idea we will explore today – if we try to understand and influence a
context in our own power (like adding more water) we best perhaps dilute it, but if we understand God’s
power at work in us to influence it we can get great clarity of purpose and impact (having an effect like
bleach)
We finished last module being reminded from Ephesians 3:20 that “God is able to do immeasurably
more than we all ask and imagine according to His power at work within us”. So today as we continue
our journey of discernment to get clarity on our context lets ensure we are seeking to discern what God
might be inviting us to participate in according to His power at work within us

4.6 AN IMAGINED FUTURE

Optional Activity — Make a Choice

Please stand up. I am going to read some pairs of words. For each set, please select what you think is
the correct word. If you get one answer wrong you sit down – you are out of the game!
Round 1. Choose:
1. White or Red (answer – white)
2. Vertical or horizontal (answer Horizontal)
3. Circles or Triangles (answer – Circles)
4. Yellow or Black (answer Black)
Round 2 – It is pretty hard/impossible to make decisions based on what you have no clear picture of!
Now look at the picture of Seed’s Foundation Approach for this course (in Module 1.4) & I will ask you
the questions again:
Show the Seed Foundations picture in Participant Journal 1.2 and ask them to think of this picture when you ask the questions.
Repeat the questions. Everyone will remain standing!

Ask:
 How did you feel when you didn’t know which option to choose?
 How much easier were those choices when everyone shared the clear vision of the image I was
describing?
Link to CONTEXT AND NEXT IMAGINED FUTURE activity:
It is impossible to make decisions if we are not clear on the bigger picture. That is why we started this
Purpose Discovery course focused on God’s story. Without understand God’s Purpose we cannot
possibly make decisions about our own purpose or how to align our life with His!
But when we think about our context, we need to not only understand the big picture of God’s story but
the local picture to get a sense of what God might be intending for our context. Once that vision is
clear then that can make our decision making so much easier since we can simple ask which decision
best aligns with the vision.
Now we are going to explore what God’s vision for our local context might be

4.7 NOW WHAT? PRAY ‘WHO WILL I SERVE’?

(Optional) Share — Invite participants to pair up and share their Imagined Futures
Once in pairs, ask the group to prepare for Reflective Listening: Time 4 mins listening / 1 minute feedback and then switch for
another 5 mins

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  For 4 mins (timed), one person shares their Imagined Future - What are your aspirations and dreams in
5-10 years? Put people in the picture – WHO WILL YOU SERVE? As you share, your partner listens
deeply to you (write notes/draw pictures).
 Then for 1 minute the listener reflects back to their partner what they heard. Was there a dominant
picture or theme? Were they reminded of a verse from the Bible (or idea/picture) as their friend shared
their imagined future? (1 minute)
 Then switch roles (another 5 mins)

5.2 ALIGNING IDENTITY & CONTEXT WITH GOD’S PURPOSE

(Optional) Illustration – Equipment needed is 4 plates (ideally paper so you can label them)
Facilitators Note: You can use paper plates and label them with the THINKING, LONGINGS, ACTION, RELATIONSHIPS OR just
use normal plates (without labelling)
Here is a visual way to understand the importance of alignment.
Imagine these plates represent my THINKING, my LONGINGS, The ACTIONS I take and the way I RELATE
to others– (these are the things on the inner circle of the Seed Image we have been using for this
course).
Hold the plates, fanned out as big as possible (so they cannot see your face)
Imagine you have never seen my face – it’s hard to know what I look like if these 4 things are not aligned
(ie if what I think is not aligned to what I do and what I do is not aligned the changes I make).
Now line the plates up so you can just see one plate in front of your head
If they are aligned then you start to get a much better view of who I am. Now since it’s ultimately Jesus
we want to introduce people to (not ourselves) then imagine how important it is to ensure our thinking,
longings, actions and relationships are aligned with who Jesus is and how He has taught us to live
Move all 4 plates to be aligned to each other and still hold them in front of your face.
When we do the hard work of aligning the way we think, the things we long for and our actions and the
way we relate to others with God’s purposes, then we’re making it easier for people to see and
experience Christ (in the process of aligning who we are becoming & the changes we seek to participate
in with God’s purpose!)

5.4 PUTTING THE BIG ROCKS FIRST – Ephesians 5:8-20

Illustrate — Demonstrate the big rocks metaphor

Option 2: Follow the instructions below to do the illustration yourself:
Equipment Needed: several large Rocks, 2 small containers of dry clean sand, 2 small containers of gravel, 2 large
containers to fit (big rocks, gravel & sand)
We have adapted this illustration of Stephen Covey (in his book 7 Habits of Highly Effective People) to think
about aligning our roles and priorities with God’s purposes:
 Let’s say we start to fill our day with SAND representing the fun & frivolous time-wasting things (that
have low purpose and low responsibility). A lot of people fill and shape their day with these things –
fun things but difficult to see what eternal or even temporary purpose they contribute to
 And then they add their GRAVEL /small rocks - which could be sharp, painful, stressful but perhaps
necessary things - that could have high or low responsibility for, but not a strong sense of purpose
(work that puts food on the table but beyond that it doesn’t feel high purpose
 And THEN they add the BIG rocks – the things that are super important to them. Whether high or
low responsibility they have a high sense of purpose
 What happens? The big rocks don’t fit!
Ask, “Can anyone relate to this feeling that their ‘big rocks’ aren’t fitting?”
Ask, “What happens if we start with the Big rocks, then gravel and sand?”
Demonstrate again.
Everything fits! The truth this jar illustration teaches us is simple but powerful: If you don't put the big
rocks in first, you'll never get them in at all.

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6.1 ALIGNING THE CHANGE WE PARTICIPATE IN WITH GOD’S PURPOSE

Optional Illustrate – Rubber Band Resistance

Equipment – 1 rubber band per person
Give out 1 Rubber band per person
I’ve given each of you a rubber band. Please loop it between your hands and stretch your hands as far
apart (one above the other) as you can without breaking it. Hold your hands there for 30 seconds (for an
extra challenge use just one or two fingers.
Ask, “The longer you hold one hand above the other, what do you notice?”
Arms are getting tired….hands/fingers are sore….There is a lot of tension
Now imagine that:
 Your lower hand is your life today.
 Your upper hand represents a fulfilled life aligned and living out God’s purposes as a redemptive
changemaker.
When we feel that tension and resistance after some time, there is a natural desire to relieve it – what
are your options to relieve the resistance?
 Either lower the purposeful hand or give up (we hope that the last 6 weeks has inspired and
motivated you not to do that!)
 Or Raise the “today hand” by taking steps to change. Changes still need to be made and will keep
needing to be made .
Link to module
Most of us would feel a gap between where we are today and where we long to be.
That gap might be there because we are just starting to think about purpose and alignment. But that gap
might also be there, because there are resistances to alignment. Resistances that come against us living
out purposeful lives as redemptive change makers in our context. The question is, what is that resistance?
And how does God invite us to respond to it?
Notice that as well as active resistance (from the bottom hand), there is an irresistible pull of the band
itself to close that gap. God is inviting and enabling us to respond – to align our life with His purpose and
to discern and participate in change that He desires in the contexts we find ourselves. And that is what
we are exploring today

6.3 YOUR PURPOSE STATEMENT

(Optional) Activity — Write your Purpose on a balloon

Equipment needed: balloon per person and permanent pens
Ideally our actions should align so closely with our purpose that people know what the change we are
seeking to see EVEN IF we never get the chance to tell them
Your purpose is like living with a bright, colourful balloon over your head (demonstrate) – you move
around and people can clearly understand why you do what you do
So now write your purpose as one short sentence on the balloon (maximum 1 sentence).
Optional (if time) - Move around (holding your balloon above your head) and share your purpose statement with others in the
room to test out if they understand your sense of purpose (without you having to explain it)

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