This document provides an overview of a vision development workshop to help participants discover their core identity, purpose, and envisioned future. It outlines exercises to identify core values and purpose, and to develop a 10+ year goal and vivid description of the future. The goal is for participants to create a personal vision framework to guide their decisions and stay motivated in accomplishing God's purposes for their life. Next steps encourage applying the framework by evaluating alignment, setting short term goals, and regular reevaluation.

1. Developing a vision…discovering Your destiny A vision development workshop for followers of the King

2. Vision Workshop agenda What is Vision Anyway? The Personal Vision Framework Core Identity: Core Values & Core Purpose Envisioned Future: 10+ Year Goal & Vivid Description How To Discover Our Core Identity Core Values Breakout Session Core Purpose Breakout Session How To Develop Our Envisioned Future Mountain to Climb Breakout Session Vivid Description of the Future Breakout Session Next Steps: Establishing Base Camp

3. What is vision anyway? Just words on a page…or… A picture of the future A source of inspiration A description of why we exist A source of identity A compass for decision making A motivator of behavior A God-given tool to propel us into our destiny “Where there is no vision, the people perish…” Proverbs 29:18

5. Building A vision framework* The Vision Framework was first created for companies but has been adapted here for ministries and individuals. The Vision Framework consists of four parts: A Core Identity Core Purpose – Why am I here anyway? Core Values – What makes me tick? An Envisioned Future Long Term Goal – Where am I going? A Vivid Description of the Future – What will it be like when I get there? (*The Vision Framework concept has been adapted from the book “Built to Last” by Jim Collins & Jerry Porras)

6. MY personal vision Framework

7. MY personal vision Framework

8. A corporate vision Framework Source: Adapted from the mission and vision of the school at www.ibethelatlanta.org

9. Discovering your Core identity What is your Identity in Christ? It’s what God has said about us – who we are in Christ It’s true for all believers – who we really are Ex: We are redeemed, loved, accepted, forgiven, etc. It’s essential to know and embrace it as reality What is your Core Identity? It’s our unique, God-given character and that remains consistent through time – it’s how we are “wired” Our Core Identity is expressed through our core values and core purpose, that we live out daily, without even thinking about it

10. A word of caution God has given each of us a unique purpose “The LORD God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it…but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat of it you will surely die.“ Gen 2:15-17 Adam’s purpose was to work and care for the garden But the enemy seeks to pervert our purpose Now the serpent said… "Did God really say, 'You must not eat from any tree in the garden'?“ Gen 3:1 God said to Adam…"Cursed is the ground…through painful toil you will eat of it…by the sweat of your brow you will eat your food…”Gen. 3: 17-19 Adam’s purpose was the same, but because of disobedience, it was going to be a lot harder to accomplish it.

11. Lessons to learn about vision Obey what God tells you do to Obedience leads to blessing - Disobedience leads to a curse (or at least more work!) Do only that which God asks you to do – no more – no less. Don’t run ahead or lag behind - Keep in step with the Spirit Visions belong to God They are a glimpse of what God plans to do through man He may or may not use you to do it Many visions “fail” to manifest because people think it’s “their vision” and try to make it happen “in the flesh” When God reveals His vision to us, our job is to: Hold the vision with open hands (It was never ours anyway) Pray the vision into being (He may use someone else) Cast the vision to others (Visions are meant to be shared) If God’s in it, He will bring the right people to accomplish His vision and His purposes in His time

12. Components of Core identity Our Core Identity is made up of 2 parts: Core Purpose – Why am I here anyway? King David “served God's purpose in his own generation” (Acts 13:36) We will discover at least one of God’s purposes for us on this earth Core Values – What makes me tick? Your core values influence all that you do – whether you realize it or not We will discover 3 to 5 timeless guiding principles that are core to who you are and will help you make life decisions “It’s better to understand WHO you are than where you are going, for where you are going will almost certainly change.” – Jim Collins

13. What are Core Values? Timeless guiding principles They should be just as valid 100 years from now as they are today They should be the same regardless of circumstances or the expectations of others They should guide the decisions you make While your core values may never change, everything else in your life should change to align with your core values People usually hold only 3 to 5 values that are truly core to who they are (Character Traits) Typical Examples: Honest, Trustworthy, Operate with Integrity, Loving, Inclusive Unique Examples: Risk Taker, Bold, Unique, Challenger of the Status Quo, Analyzer, Worshiper, Discerning

14. Core values in the bible Core Values (Core Character Traits) While biblically-based, there is no “right” list of core values or core character traits They are unique to who God has created you to be The “Core Values” (Character) of God The LORD is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love. Psalm 103:8 The “Core Values” (Character) of the Spirit But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Galatians 5:22 Our Core Values express our Core Identity

15. the Core Value test

16. Core values Breakout Session (30 minutes) Step 1: Form groups of 5-7 and elect a scribe to write for the group. Step 2: Pick a group member and brainstorm 5 or more positive values (words or phrases) that the group sees as possible core values (character traits) of that person. Repeat for each group member. Step 3: Give each person 5 “Core Value Test” sheets and have them list one potential core value on each. (The values each person chooses do not need to be from the list.) Step 4: Working solo, each person provides a “gut level” honest answer to each question. Step 5: Each person shares with the group only the values for which they could answer “yes” to every question. Do not “judge” the results shared, but rather affirm how you see that value in them.

17. One Final Core Value test Step 6: As a final test, for each value ask: Is this who I really am now? or Is this who I really want to become? If the value is an aspiration of who you want to become, but aren’t there yet, it may belong in the ‘Envisioned Future’ (which we discuss later). Step 7: List your final Core Values on your Personal Vision Framework.

18. What is Core Purpose? A simple, memorable phrase of why you exist Gives you a reason to get out of bed in the morning Ask: “Besides money, why do I do what I do?” It should be relevant for 100 years It’s not to be confused with goals, which should change many times in 100 years It can never be fulfilled or accomplished Like a guiding star: forever pursued, yet never reached It doesn’t change, but inspires you to change

19. Examples of a Core Purpose Examples: To know Him and make Him known To worship intimately and celebrate publicly To make people laugh To reach a lost and broken world with the love of Jesus Christ To obey God and serve others To raise up leaders and disciples of the King To walk in my Kingdom identity and dominion To hear Him say “Well done, my good and faithful servant”

20. Questions that help you discover your core purpose Define & redefine: Use the “5 whys” What do I get excited about in life? Why? Why do I think God put me on this earth? Why? Ask “why?” 5 times to clarify your core purpose. Make it inspiring and motivating Ask: If you woke up tomorrow with enough money that you would never need to work again, how could you word your core purpose in such a way that you would want to keep working toward it anyway? Ask: What deeper sense of purpose would prompt you to give your all to that cause no matter what?

21. the Core Purpose test

22. Core purpose breakout Session(30 minutes) Step 1: Take a few minutes of solo time and write an inspirational core purpose for your life. Step 2: Have each person share their core purpose with the group and why they find it inspiring. Step 3: Have each person pick one core purpose (besides their own) and tell the group why that could be their core purpose as well. Step 4: Working solo, use the “Core Purpose Test” to refine your purpose until you can answer “yes” to each question (use the 5 whys to clarify if needed). Step 5: List the final Core Purpose on your Personal Vision Framework.

23. Creating your envisioned future Your Core Identity is discovered It rarely changes – it’s who you are Your Envisioned Future is created It’s who you want to become It’s what you want to accomplish It finishes the statement “Someday, I will…” Your Envisioned Future has two parts: A Mountain to Climb (a 5-10+ year goal) A Vivid Description of the Future (what it will be like when you achieve that goal)

24. What’s A “mountain to climb”? It’s a huge, daunting challenge that cannot be accomplished alone – like climbing Mount Everest It’s tantalizing, energizing, & hits you in the gut It takes little or no explanation – people ‘get it’ It has a clear finish line so you know when you reach it It’s not about writing a “missions statement” but about going on a mission! It can also be called a “BHAG” – A Big Harry Audacious Goal (*The term “BHAG” is taken from the book “Built to Last” by Jim Collins & Jerry Porras)

25. Examples of Mountains to climb There are at least two types of Mountains Personal Target Mountains To give 50% of my income to fund the Kingdom To convert and disciple 5 people in my school To start 3 prayer groups on my campus within 3 years To serve in a tutoring center in El Salvador for 1 year Societal Transformation Mountains To influence government by running for political office To transform societal thinking through infiltrating the media To create an Ignite Center that reaches youth for Christ To open a thrift store to fund and assist single mothers To start an IHOP-like worship and prayer center in Dacula

26. What is A vivid description of the future? A vibrant, engaging description of what it will look like to achieve to top of the Mountain It uses passion, emotion, & conviction to declare what you will have accomplished Example: The Ignite Center will be a place where youth demonstrate their ability to lead, to think, and to reach their peers in a fun, creative, and non-threatening environment. Hundreds of un-believing youth will be drawn in, encounter genuine relationships, be transformed by Christ, and learn to be role models to their peers.

27. How to Create the envisioned future When creating the Envisioned Future, ask: In 10+ years, what will my life or ministry look like? How will others feel about it? What will I have accomplished? On my tombstone, what will people say about me? If a news article was written about the ministry I created, what would they say about it? When creating the Mountain to Climb, ask: Does it get your juices flowing? Will it stimulate and motivate you even when things aren’t going the way you planned? Does it make you ‘gulp’ when you read it?

28. the Envisioned Future test

29. Envisioned Future breakout Session (30 minutes) Step 1: Working solo, have each person write a short news article (or obituary) about their life or ministry 10+ yrs. from now. Step 2: In the group, solicit volunteers who are willing to read their article or obituary to the group. Allow the group to ask clarifying questions. Step 3: Working solo, use the Envisioned Future Test to help reword the vision and keep only those phrases that you can answer “yes” to. Step 4: In the group, solicit volunteers who are willing to read their completed Envisioned Future to the group. Step 5: Finalize the vision and write it on your Personal Vision Framework.

30. the Mountain to climb test

31. Mountain to Climb breakout Session (30 minutes) Step 1: Working solo, create a 5 to 10+ year BHAG that encapsulates the vivid description AND that links to your core purpose. Step 2: Working solo, test the BHAG using “The Mountain to Climb Test” questions and modify the wording until you can answer “yes” to every question. Step 3: In the group, solicit volunteers to share their BHAG with the group. Ask who else would be motivated by that BHAG and why. Step 4: List the final Mountain to Climb on your Personal Vision Framework.

32. MY personal vision Framework

33. Ingite a vision, fan it into flame, and start the world on fire Post the finished Personal Vision Frameworks around the room Ask for volunteers to share theirs with the group How can we help each other achieve these visions? Pray: That God would clarify and solidify His vision and purpose for our lives - that He would accomplish His purpose through us in our generation That we would be obedient to the Lord – not run ahead or lag behind That God would release His blessing and cancel the curse – that He would thwart the enemies plans against us

34. Next Steps - Establish Base Camp (On Your Own) Step 1: Finalize the wording (if needed) and post your Personal Vision Framework around your home. Share it with leaders and people who are closest to you. Step 2: Evaluate your life in the context of your Personal Vision Framework What is already in alignment with the vision? What is out of alignment with the vision? What must change or be eliminated? What do you need to do differently? What mechanisms can you put into place that will help you stay true to your core identity and reach your envisioned future?

35. Next Steps - Establish Base Camp (On Your Own) Step 3: Establish short-term goals to help you ‘climb your mountain’ Objectives (The What: In the next year, I will…) Strategies (The How: I’ll do this by…) Tactics (The Who, When, & How Much: Who can help me? By what date will I do it? How will I measure my progress?) Step 4: Reevaluate regularly Top 3 things to accomplish this year? Top 3 things to stop doing this year? Top 3 supporting mechanisms that will help me? Step 5: Repeat every year for the rest of your life