📝 Worksheet 7.4: Choose Your First Three Christian Growth Courses

Purpose of This Worksheet

A Christian Soul Centre does not need to offer every available Christian Growth Course at once.

Healthy ministry begins by listening to the people God has placed within your reach, identifying genuine needs, choosing appropriate courses, preparing trustworthy leaders, and establishing clear privacy and referral practices.

In this worksheet, you will select three Christian Growth Courses that could become the first structured ministry pathways offered through your Soul Centre. For each course, you will identify the intended audience, leader, delivery format, privacy safeguards, referral practices, and next steps. This follows the Topic 7 assignment to choose three courses and develop the practical plan needed to offer them responsibly.

You are not committing to launch all three courses immediately.

Your goal is to develop a realistic sequence:

1. The first course you are prepared to offer

2. The second course you may add as relationships develop

3. The third course that could broaden or deepen the ministry

Part One: Your Community and Ministry Setting

1. Your Proposed Soul Centre

Proposed Soul Centre name:

Country:

City, town, region, or online community:

Primary language:

Additional languages that may be needed:

Proposed Soul Centre type:

☐ Christian fellowship
☐ Church or house-church ministry
☐ Christian Growth Course ministry
☐ Soul Coaching ministry
☐ Christian life-coaching ministry
☐ Chaplaincy ministry
☐ Officiant ministry
☐ Online Soul Centre
☐ Hybrid Soul Centre
☐ Church-hosted Soul Centre
☐ MinistryBiz Soul Centre
☐ Other:

2. Your Current Ministry Relationships

Identify the people, churches, organisations, or relational networks already connected to your calling.

☐ Local church or parish
☐ House fellowship
☐ Christian Leaders Alliance network
☐ Christian Leaders Institute students
☐ Christian life-coaching relationships
☐ Chaplaincy relationships
☐ Workplace relationships
☐ Neighbourhood relationships
☐ Migrant or multilingual community
☐ Marriage or family ministry
☐ Caregiver network
☐ Reentry or recovery ministry
☐ Online Christian community
☐ Other:

Describe the relationships through which people may first hear about your Christian Growth Course ministry.

3. Who Has God Already Placed Before You?

List the types of people you may be called to serve.

Avoid using identifying personal details. Describe the group rather than naming individuals.

Examples include:

• Married couples seeking growth

• Adults experiencing loneliness

• Christians carrying bitterness

• Caregivers supporting ageing parents

• Returning citizens rebuilding their lives

• Young adults preparing for university

• People recovering after divorce

• Parents seeking practical guidance

• Christians struggling with anger or conflict

• People without a current church fellowship

People or group one:

People or group two:

People or group three:

Other people you may be called to serve:

4. What Needs Have You Observed?

Identify needs that people have actually expressed or that trusted local leaders have confirmed.

☐ Spiritual growth
☐ Prayer and Christian practices
☐ Forgiveness
☐ Gratitude
☐ Resilient self-conversation
☐ Sleep and peaceful rest
☐ Anger
☐ Conflict
☐ People skills
☐ Social confidence
☐ Marriage growth
☐ Sexual intimacy within marriage
☐ Parenting
☐ Single-parent support
☐ Divorce recovery
☐ Reentry after incarceration
☐ Ageing
☐ Caregiving
☐ Christian worldview preparation
☐ Other:

What conversations, observations, or ministry relationships support your assessment?

5. Local Listening

Before selecting courses, identify the people who can help you understand your community.

What assumptions about your community should you avoid making?

Part Two: Review the Existing Course Collection

Review the courses below and mark those that appear relevant to your ministry setting.

Spiritual Formation and Inner Growth

☐ Introduction to Spiritual Growth
☐ Christian Gratitude Growth
☐ Resilient Scriptural Self-Conversation
☐ Sleep in Peace

Forgiveness, Conflict, and Relationships

☐ The Way of Forgiveness
☐ Anger Reset
☐ Navigating Conflict in Christ
☐ People Skills Confidence

Confidence, Singleness, and Male-Female Relationships

☐ Being Confident Around Men: Inspired by Biblical Women
☐ Becoming Confident Around Women as an Organic Man
☐ Being a Confident Christian Single Mother

Marriage and Family

☐ Christian Marriage Growth
☐ Sexual Intimacy
☐ Parenting Skills
☐ Aging with Honour: A Christian Guide for Parents and Adult Children
☐ Divorce Recovery

Reentry and Worldview Formation

☐ Returning with Purpose: A Faith-Based Course for Returning Citizens
☐ Faith Ready: Christian Worldview for University Bound Students

Initial Course Possibilities

List up to six courses that appear relevant before narrowing your selection to three.

Part Three: Course Selection Questions

Use the following questions to evaluate each possible course.

Ministry Need

• Does this course address a need people have actually expressed?

• Is the need present among people within our existing relationships?

• Would participants recognise the course as relevant?

• Is this the right time to address the subject?

Biblical and Ministry Fit

• Does the course support the Christian purpose of the Soul Centre?

• Can it be offered while honouring local churches and Christian traditions?

• Does it encourage spiritual growth and faithful action?

• Can we explain clearly what the course does and does not provide?

Leadership Readiness

• Has the proposed leader completed the course?

• Does the leader understand the subject?

• Can the leader facilitate without dominating?

• Does the leader respect privacy?

• Can the leader recognise when referral is necessary?

• Is the leader accountable to trusted Christian leadership?

Practical Readiness

• Do we have an appropriate meeting place or online platform?

• Is the course available in a suitable language?

• Can participants access the course materials?

• Is the proposed schedule realistic?

• Can the group be kept to a manageable size?

• Do we have a second leader or helper when needed?

Safeguarding and Referral Readiness

• Could this course raise sensitive personal issues?

• Have we prepared clear disclosure boundaries?

• Do we understand the limits of confidentiality?

• Have we identified appropriate referral resources?

• Do we know what to do if someone is in danger?

• Have we considered country-specific safeguarding obligations?

Part Four: Select Your First Course

Course One: The Best Place to Begin

Selected course:

1. Why This Course?

What genuine spiritual, relational, or practical need does this course address?

Why is this course a better starting point than the other courses you considered?

How does this course connect with the mission of your proposed Soul Centre?

2. Intended Audience

Who is the course intended to serve?

What is the approximate age or life stage of participants?

What existing relationships connect you to this audience?

What level of familiarity with Christianity do you expect?

☐ Active Christians
☐ Christians with limited church participation
☐ People returning to Christian faith
☐ Spiritually interested people
☐ A mixture of backgrounds
☐ Other:

What should participants understand before enrolling?

3. Proposed Leader

Primary leader or facilitator:

Current Christian or ministry role:

CLA credential or preparation, if applicable:

Has the leader completed the course?

☐ Yes
☐ In progress
☐ Not yet

What additional preparation is needed?

Second leader, helper, or hospitality partner:

What will this person contribute?

4. Delivery Format

Choose the proposed format.

☐ Participants complete the course individually and meet for discussion
☐ The group watches the presentations together
☐ In-person small group
☐ Online small group
☐ Hybrid gathering
☐ Course-connected Soul Coaching
☐ Christian life-coaching pathway
☐ Chaplaincy-supported course
☐ Church-hosted group
☐ Home gathering
☐ Café or community venue
☐ Other:

Proposed meeting location or platform:

Proposed number of participants:

Proposed start date or season:

Meeting frequency:

☐ Weekly
☐ Every two weeks
☐ Monthly
☐ Self-paced with scheduled check-ins
☐ Other:

Approximate length of each gathering:

5. Gathering Rhythm

Describe how a typical gathering will proceed.

Welcome and Hospitality

Opening Prayer

Course Learning

Discussion

Personal Reflection

Faithful Next Step

Closing Prayer or Blessing

6. Discussion Boundaries

Complete this statement for participants:

In this group, you are invited to share what you are learning, but you will not be required to disclose:

What questions will you avoid asking publicly?

Write three discussion questions that focus on learning without demanding private disclosure.

Question one:

Question two:

Question three:

7. Privacy Plan

How will participants be informed about privacy expectations?

Will any private information be recorded?

☐ No
☐ Yes

If yes, explain why it is necessary, who will have access, how it will be protected, and when it will be deleted.

Will the group use an online forum or messaging group?

☐ No
☐ Yes

What information must not be posted there?

How will participants be reminded not to share another person’s story outside the group?

8. Limits of Confidentiality

How will you explain that confidentiality may have limits involving:

• Immediate danger

• Threats of harm

• Abuse

• Safeguarding responsibilities

• Mandatory reporting

• Legal requirements

Write the explanation you will give participants.

9. Referral Plan

Identify possible needs that could exceed the role of the course leader.

☐ Mental-health crisis
☐ Suicidal thinking
☐ Domestic abuse
☐ Child abuse or neglect
☐ Addiction treatment
☐ Medical concern
☐ Legal issue
☐ Financial advice
☐ Housing emergency
☐ Criminal justice issue
☐ Marriage crisis
☐ Other:

List the referral contacts you should identify before launching.

Which referral contacts still need to be researched or confirmed?

10. Church and Ministry Accountability

Which church, pastor, CLA leader, Soul Centre leader, or trusted Christian will know about this course?

How will you describe the course so that your ministry purpose is represented honestly?

How will the course honour participants who are already connected to a church or denomination?

11. Course One Readiness Assessment

Rate each area.

What must be completed before launching this course?

Part Five: Select Your Second Course

Course Two: The Next Ministry Pathway

Selected course:

1. Why This Course?

What need will this course address?

How does it build upon or complement Course One?

Will it serve the same participants or a different audience?

2. Intended Audience

3. Proposed Leader or Facilitator

What preparation will this leader need?

4. Proposed Format

☐ In-person group
☐ Online group
☐ Hybrid group
☐ Independent study with discussion
☐ Soul Coaching
☐ Christian life coaching
☐ Chaplaincy support
☐ Church-hosted ministry
☐ Other:

Describe the format.

5. Privacy and Safeguarding Concerns

What sensitive matters could arise?

What disclosure boundaries will be established?

6. Referral Requirements

What professional or pastoral referrals may be needed?

7. Timing

When might this course be offered?

☐ Immediately after Course One
☐ Within six months
☐ Within the first year
☐ After another leader is prepared
☐ After translation or localisation
☐ After safeguarding systems are strengthened
☐ Other:

Why is this timing realistic?

8. Course Two Readiness Assessment

What is the next preparation step for Course Two?

Part Six: Select Your Third Course

Course Three: Broadening or Deepening the Ministry

Selected course:

1. Why This Course?

What ministry need will it address?

Does it broaden the audience or deepen an existing ministry pathway?

☐ Broadens the audience
☐ Deepens an existing pathway
☐ Develops emerging leaders
☐ Supports a church partnership
☐ Creates a coaching pathway
☐ Creates a chaplaincy pathway
☐ Other:

Explain your answer.

2. Intended Audience

3. Proposed Leader

Could an emerging leader assist or eventually facilitate this course?

☐ Yes
☐ No
☐ Not yet known

Who might be prepared?

What training, endorsement, or mentoring would be needed?

4. Proposed Format

5. Privacy and Referral Plan

What sensitive issues could arise?

What referrals should be arranged?

6. Timing

When could Course Three realistically be offered?

What must happen first?

Part Seven: Compare Your Three Courses

Complete the comparison table.

Why Course One Comes First

Why Course Two Comes Second

Why Course Three Comes Third

Part Eight: Build a Course Ministry Pathway

Your three courses may form a connected pathway.

For example:

Forgiveness → Conflict → People Skills

or:

Spiritual Growth → Gratitude → Resilient Self-Conversation

or:

Marriage Growth → Sexual Intimacy → Parenting Skills

or:

Divorce Recovery → People Skills → Spiritual Growth

Write your proposed pathway.

Course One

↓

Course Two

↓

Course Three

How does each course prepare participants for the next one?

What ministry practices could develop alongside these courses?

☐ Prayer
☐ Hospitality
☐ Soul Coaching
☐ Christian life coaching
☐ Chaplaincy
☐ Pastoral care
☐ Church fellowship
☐ Community service
☐ Officiant ministry
☐ Leadership development
☐ Online ministry
☐ Other:

Explain how these practices may develop gradually.

Part Nine: Participant Invitation Plan

1. How Will Participants Be Invited?

☐ Personal invitation
☐ Church announcement
☐ Soul Centre website
☐ Social media
☐ Email
☐ Chaplaincy relationship
☐ Coaching relationship
☐ Community partner
☐ Printed invitation
☐ Online Christian network
☐ Other:

2. Write a Clear Course Description

Complete this invitation language for Course One.

We are offering ___________________________________________
for people who ____________________________________________

This Christian Growth Course will explore ____________________

---

The gathering will include _________________________________

---

Participants will not be required to _________________________

---

This ministry provides Christian learning and encouragement. It does not provide ____________________________________________

---

3. Avoiding Misleading Claims

Check each statement to confirm that your invitation will not imply:

☐ Guaranteed healing
☐ Professional counselling
☐ Medical treatment
☐ Legal advice
☐ Financial advice
☐ Immediate reconciliation
☐ Institutional authority
☐ Denominational recognition not actually received
☐ Absolute confidentiality
☐ Guaranteed personal transformation
☐ Other misleading claims:

Part Ten: Facilitator Preparation

Facilitator Commitments

Before leading a Christian Growth Course, the facilitator should be prepared to affirm:

☐ I have completed or carefully reviewed the course.
☐ I understand the intended audience.
☐ I understand the course’s boundaries.
☐ I will not present myself as a professional beyond my qualifications.
☐ I will not pressure participants to disclose private experiences.
☐ I will protect personal information.
☐ I understand the limits of confidentiality.
☐ I will follow safeguarding requirements.
☐ I will make appropriate referrals.
☐ I will honour participants’ existing church affiliations.
☐ I will not use the group to create unhealthy dependency.
☐ I will encourage participants to take responsible, faithful next steps.
☐ I will remain accountable to trusted Christian leadership.
☐ I will identify and encourage emerging leaders responsibly.

What additional facilitator training is needed?

Who will provide mentoring or oversight?

Part Eleven: Privacy and Safeguarding Checklist

Before launching Course One, confirm the following.

Privacy

☐ Participants receive clear privacy instructions.
☐ Public disclosure is not required.
☐ Participants are told not to share another person’s story.
☐ Online forums do not require sensitive personal information.
☐ Personal data collection is limited to what is necessary.
☐ Access to participant information is restricted.
☐ Information is stored securely.
☐ A retention and deletion plan exists.
☐ Consent is obtained where necessary.
☐ Photos or testimonies are not shared without permission.

Safeguarding

☐ A safeguarding contact has been identified.
☐ Leaders understand how to respond to immediate danger.
☐ Leaders understand applicable reporting duties.
☐ Children and vulnerable adults receive appropriate protection.
☐ Two-leader or two-adult practices are used where appropriate.
☐ Online communication boundaries are established.
☐ Complaints can be reported safely.
☐ Leaders know when ministry must pause for professional intervention.
☐ Country-specific requirements will be researched.

Referral

☐ Pastoral referrals are available.
☐ Mental-health referrals are available.
☐ Medical referrals are available.
☐ Crisis resources are available.
☐ Domestic-abuse support is available.
☐ Legal referrals are available when needed.
☐ Addiction-recovery services are identified when relevant.
☐ Emergency contact procedures are available.

Which checklist items remain incomplete?

Part Twelve: Leadership Multiplication

Christian Growth Courses can become pathways through which emerging leaders are recognised and prepared.

1. Possible Leadership Roles

Which roles may be needed?

☐ Hospitality leader
☐ Prayer coordinator
☐ Course administrator
☐ Discussion facilitator
☐ Soul Coach
☐ Christian life coach
☐ Chaplain
☐ Safeguarding leader
☐ Privacy lead
☐ Translation assistant
☐ Online meeting coordinator
☐ Church liaison
☐ Referral coordinator
☐ Emerging Soul Centre leader

2. Potential Emerging Leaders

Without recording unnecessary private information, identify people who may demonstrate calling, character, reliability, and relational wisdom.

3. Leadership Development Process

How will emerging leaders be:

Observed?

Encouraged?

Trained?

Mentored?

Endorsed?

Commissioned when appropriate?

How will you avoid placing someone into leadership too quickly?

Part Thirteen: Your First-Course Launch Plan

Thirty Days Before Launch

What must be completed?

☐ Complete the course personally
☐ Confirm the facilitator
☐ Confirm the second leader
☐ Speak with church or ministry leaders
☐ Confirm the location or online platform
☐ Establish privacy expectations
☐ Establish safeguarding procedures
☐ Confirm referral contacts
☐ Prepare participant invitations
☐ Test course access
☐ Prepare discussion questions
☐ Other:

Two Weeks Before Launch

One Week Before Launch

First Gathering

Mid-Course Review

How will you evaluate whether the group is functioning safely and effectively?

Final Gathering

How will participants reflect upon what they have learned without being pressured to disclose private details?

After the Course

What may happen next?

☐ End the gathering after the course
☐ Offer optional Soul Coaching
☐ Refer participants to a church or pastor
☐ Offer Course Two
☐ Begin a prayer gathering
☐ Develop a chaplaincy connection
☐ Prepare an emerging facilitator
☐ Review Soul Centre registration readiness
☐ Other:

Part Fourteen: Final Course Ministry Summary

Complete the following summary.

My First Course

The first Christian Growth Course our Soul Centre plans to offer is:

It was selected because:

The intended audience is:

The primary leader will be:

The course will be delivered through:

The most important privacy safeguard is:

The most important referral preparation is:

The church, ministry, or accountability relationship supporting this course is:

The first realistic launch step is:

My Second Course

It will be considered after:

My Third Course

It will broaden or deepen the ministry by:

My Course Ministry Vision

Write a short paragraph describing how these three courses could help people grow spiritually, develop Christian relationships, receive appropriate support, and discover opportunities to serve.

Final Discernment

Complete the following prayerful reflection.

Lord Jesus Christ, you have placed people, relationships, needs, and opportunities around me. Give me wisdom to listen before acting, humility to begin with what is realistic, courage to serve faithfully, and discernment to maintain appropriate boundaries.

Help me choose courses that point people towards you rather than towards dependence on a leader or programme. Help our Soul Centre honour churches, protect private information, safeguard vulnerable people, refer wisely, and welcome the work of the Holy Spirit.

May these Christian Growth Courses become pathways through which souls grow, leaders emerge, and ministry multiplies.

My First Faithful Step

The first action I will take is:

Target date:

Person who will encourage or hold me accountable: