S.H.A.P.E. Reference
Key terms used throughout the course
Abilities — The natural-born talents God gave you at birth, which he wants you to use to make an impact for his glory. Distinct from spiritual gifts, which are given at conversion by the Holy Spirit. See Lesson 4.
Board of Advisors — Seasoned mentors who serve as sources of wisdom during seasons when you need greater clarity. May include authors, pastors, coaches, and respected leaders. Part of your S.H.A.P.E. Training Team. See Lesson 9.
Consumer — Someone who focuses on getting rather than giving. The opposite of a contributor. See Lesson 11.
Contributor — Someone who lives to give and invest in the lives of others. The goal of discovering your S.H.A.P.E. is to move from consumer to contributor. See Lesson 1.
Cruiser — Someone who is apathetic toward life, coasting without purpose or direction. See Lesson 11.
Experiences — The parts of your past, both positive and painful, which God intends to use in great ways. Includes personal, vocational, relational, educational, and spiritual experiences. See Lesson 6.
FINE — An acronym for "Feelings Inside Never Expressed." A warning sign of superficial relationships rather than authentic community. See Lesson 9.
Fruit of the Spirit — The character qualities that reveal Christ's contribution to our character: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23). Distinct from spiritual gifts. See Lesson 2.
GRASP — A five-step acrostic for grasping your Kingdom Purpose: Get with God, Realize your Kingdom Dream, Activate your Serving Sweet Spot, Seek wisdom, Plan your test-drive. See Lesson 10.
Hallway of Life — A mental exercise for reviewing your experiences. Imagine walking down a hallway where portraits of positive experiences hang on one wall and painful experiences on the other. See Lesson 6.
Heart — The special passions God has given you so that you can glorify him on earth. Your unique emotional "heartbeat." Revealed through five passion principles: what drives you, who you care about, what needs you will meet, what cause you will help conquer, and what dream you will fulfill. See Lesson 3.
Kingdom Dream — A God-sized vision for how you could make the greatest impact for him with your life. The foundation of your Kingdom Purpose. See Lesson 10.
Kingdom Purpose — Your specific contribution to the body of Christ, within your generation, that causes you to totally depend on God and authentically display his love toward others, all through the expression of your unique S.H.A.P.E. Articulated as: "God made me ___ and when I ___ I feel his pleasure." See Lesson 10.
Masterpiece — Ephesians 2:10 (Greek: poiema, "work of art" or "poem"). You are God's masterpiece, custom-designed and one of a kind. See Lesson 1.
Personality — The special way God wired you to navigate life and fulfill your unique Kingdom Purpose. Assessed along eight spectrum dimensions (how you relate to others and how you respond to opportunities). See Lesson 5.
Poiema — The Greek word used in Ephesians 2:10, meaning "work of art." The root of our English word "poem." See Lesson 1.
S.H.A.P.E. — An acrostic for five factors God uses to prepare and equip us for our purpose in life: Spiritual Gifts, Heart, Abilities, Personality, Experiences. Developed by Rick Warren; expanded by Erik Rees. See Lesson 1.
S.H.A.P.E. Investment Circle — A visual tool for identifying the people in your life whom you influence and plan to invest in spiritually. See Lesson 11.
S.H.A.P.E. Training Team — Your relational life support system, composed of a Training Partner, a Training Group, and a Board of Advisors. See Lesson 9.
Serving Sweet Spot — The optimal zone where your S.H.A.P.E. is best expressed. Located where your strengths (gifts/abilities) and passions (heart) intersect, activated through your personality and experiences. Visualized as a four-quadrant model. See Lesson 10.
Spiritual Gifts — God-given special abilities, given to every believer at conversion by the Holy Spirit, to share his love and strengthen the body of Christ. Not the same as natural talents, personality traits, or the fruit of the Spirit. See Lesson 2.
Surrender — The spiritual position of handing off every aspect of your life (past, present, future) to God and trusting him completely. Both a moment and a lifelong practice. The five roadblocks are Worries, Wounds, Wrongs, Weaknesses, and Wishes. See Lesson 7.
Training Group — A small group of friends or peers (3-12 people) committed to going the distance together. They pray for, encourage, challenge, and hold each other accountable. Part of your S.H.A.P.E. Training Team. See Lesson 9.
Training Partner — A close friend who serves as your weekly or daily source of support, prayer, encouragement, and correction. Part of your S.H.A.P.E. Training Team. See Lesson 9.
Worries — The anxieties and stresses that weigh us down and distract us from God's purposes. God wants us to "heave" these at him (Psalm 55:22). See Lesson 7.
Wounds — Emotional injuries caused by others. God is the Great Physician who heals the brokenhearted (Psalm 147:3). See Lesson 7.
Wrongs — Our own mistakes and sins against others. Addressed through confession and repentance (1 John 1:9). See Lesson 7.
Weaknesses — Areas where we naturally fall short. God's power works best in our weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9). See Lesson 7.
Wishes — Our dreams, desires, and longings that need to be surrendered to God's will (Proverbs 3:5-6). See Lesson 7.