Unique Purpose
We are called to speak Gods word out of our unique personality, not just imitate others. This idea of a unique voice and a unique plan and purpose applies not only to us but to the abortion-determined moms AND THEIR UNBORN CHILD as well. Each of us are valued and knitted together by God with our unique and special attributes for a reason. We should remind the women of this truth as we minister to them. The value of each person uniquely before God applies to us, the women, and their unborn child.
Unique People Still Benefit From General Framework of Effective Ministering
We train our Sidewalk Outreach (SWO) teams with specific examples of what to say or what not to say. Sometimes, people can mistakenly believe we are asking team members to be cookie-cutter clones of our training directors. This is not what we hope to convey! We believe that God uses each of us with our individuality for specific and wonderful purposes. We should never think that what we have to offer in our own voice and experience is of less value than others. That said, it is of immense value to learn from others. The framework we offer of an effective ministry model for SWO is beneficial.
God Delights in our Individuality
From Desiring God: Lewis Guest IV: “To preach in your voice is to preach as one who is increasingly comfortable in his skin. You preach from the abilities and natural resources God has given you: your personality, training, experiences and upbringing, relationships over the years, theological persuasions and passions, trials and tribulations, temperament, stage in life, and ongoing walk with Christ in holiness. As a pastor-preacher, your voice is God’s truth proclaimed authentically through you, not through your imitation of another.”
The Bible Supports our Unique Individual Value
(Excerpt from https://marisadamore.com/verses/20-bible-verses-about-being-unique )
1. Psalm 139:14 – Embracing Your Uniqueness
“I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.”We are wonderfully crafted by God’s hands, each with a unique design and purpose. This verse reminds us to celebrate our individuality
2. 1 Corinthians 12:4-6 – Using Your God-Given Gifts
“There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work.” God has given each of us unique gifts and talents. These differences are not just by chance but by God’s design to fulfill various roles in His kingdom.
3. Jeremiah 1:5 – Your Unique Calling and Purpose
“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.”God has known us and set us apart for His purposes even before we were born. Our uniqueness is part of His divine plan and He has specific roles for us to play in His story.
4. Ephesians 2:10 – Uniquely Made for Good Works
“For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”
As God’s handiwork, we are designed with intentionality and purpose to do good works. This verse highlights that our creation was not random but purposeful, with good works prepared for us to accomplish.
5. 1 Peter 4:10 – Serving Others with Your Unique Abilities
“Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.”
We are called to use our unique gifts to serve others, being faithful stewards of God’s grace. Our individuality allows us to reach and impact people in ways others cannot.
6. Romans 12:6 – Diversity in Gifts
“We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith;”
Each of us is graced with different gifts that reflect God’s creative spirit. This diversity in gifts ensures that all aspects of God’s work are covered.
7. Exodus 9:16 – The Significance of Your Unique Purpose
“But I have raised you up for this very purpose, that I might show you my power and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth.”
God raises us up for specific purposes to display His power and proclaim His name. Our unique journeys and experiences are part of how God shows His greatness.
8. Matthew 10:30 – God’s Attention to Detail
“And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered.”
God knows every detail about us, even the number of hairs on our head. This level of care and attention shows just how precious we are to Him.
9. Isaiah 64:8 – Uniquely Shaped by God
“Yet you, Lord, are our Father. We are the clay, you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand.”
As clay in the Potter’s hands, we are carefully and lovingly shaped by God. Each of us is molded uniquely.
10. Galatians 6:4 – Find Joy in Your Individual Path
“Each one should test their own actions. Then they can take pride in themselves alone, without comparing themselves to someone else,”
We are encouraged to focus on our own actions and not compare ourselves to others. Our individual paths are unique, and comparison only distracts us from our own journey.
11. John 10:3 – Known by Name
“The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.”
God knows us by name and leads us personally. This personal relationship is a testament to our unique value to Him.
12. 1 Samuel 16:7 – Heart Over Appearance. “But the Lord said to Samuel, ‘Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.'”
God values our hearts over outward appearances.
13. Proverbs 5:15 – Embracing Your Own Path
“Drink water from your own cistern, running water from your own well.”
We are called to focus on our own blessings and resources.
14. Luke 12:7 – Valued Beyond Measure
“Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.”
God values us greatly, knowing even the smallest details about us.
15. Romans 8:29 – God’s Unique Plan
“For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters.”
We are predestined to be conformed to the image of Christ. This transformation is unique for each of us, reflecting God’s design.
16. 2 Timothy 1:7 – Living Fearlessly
“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” God equips us with a spirit of power, love and a sound mind. Our unique spirit is a gift from Him to overcome fear and live boldly.
17. Psalm 119:73 – Purposeful Formation
“Your hands made me and formed me; give me understanding to learn your commands.” God’s hands have formed us with purpose and intention.
18. Jeremiah 29:11 – God’s Unique Plan for Your Future
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
God’s plans for us are unique and filled with hope.
19. Genesis 1:27 – Your Individuality Reflects God’s Image
“So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.”
We are uniquely created in the image of God. This fundamental truth affirms our inherent value and dignity.
20. Philippians 2:13 – God’s Unique Work in You
“For it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.”
God works within us to fulfill His unique purpose for our lives.
Summary
We are all uniquely designed and loved by God. These verses remind us that our individuality is a precious gift from our Creator. We can learn a great deal about effective ministry from the experience of others. However, we should never try to squelch our unique gifts or individual character and qualities God has given us in order to be more like others. We can confidently trust God has prepared us specifically for our specific unique role in His kingdom.
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