Session Handouts

Downloadable and printable resources for all 8 sessions. Each handout supports the learning goals and practice exercises for its session.

📋 How to Use These Handouts

Each handout is designed to be:

📄 Printable

Expand the handout you need and print directly from your browser.

🎯 Focused

Each handout supports one specific skill or practice from its session.

✍️ Interactive

Space provided for notes, reflections, and practice exercises.

Print Tip: Expand all handouts and use your browser's print function to create a complete packet for participants. Select "Print backgrounds" in print settings for best results.
🗣️
Session 1 Handout

What is Prophetic Speech?

Understanding edification, encouragement, and consolation
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🎯 Core Definition

"The one who prophesies speaks to people for their strengthening, encouragement, and consolation." — 1 Corinthians 14:3

✅ What Prophetic Speech IS

  • Building up the body — Strengthening faith, hope, and love 1 Cor 14:3-5
  • Naming what God is doing now — Observing and articulating God's work in real time
  • Encouragement rooted in Scripture — Grounded in biblical truth, not personal opinion
  • Intelligible and clear — Understandable, not mysterious or vague 1 Cor 14:19
  • Tested by the community — Weighed and discerned together 1 Cor 14:29

❌ What Prophetic Speech is NOT

  • Prediction of the future or fortune-telling
  • Private mystical experiences shared publicly without discernment
  • "God told me you should..." (directive prophecy to individuals)
  • Vague spiritualized language that confuses rather than clarifies
  • Condemnation or shaming disguised as "hard truth"
  • Personal platform or attention-seeking

💬 Examples of Prophetic Speech

Good Example: "I see God building endurance in our church through this difficult season. He's teaching us to trust Him when we can't see the outcome. Let's celebrate the small victories of faithfulness we're seeing in one another."
Poor Example: "God told me our church needs to be more radical. We're too comfortable. If we don't change, judgment is coming."

Why it's poor: Vague, condemning, lacks Scripture, untestable.

📝 Practice Exercise

For Session 1, you'll practice a 60-second Scripture-rooted encouragement. Use this template:

(Choose a verse that speaks to what you see God doing)
[Write here...]
(Growth, faithfulness, endurance, specific actions)
[Write here...]
(Connect observation to biblical truth)
[Write here...]
[Write here...]

🔍 Self-Check Before Speaking

  • Is it intelligible? (Would a visitor understand me?)
  • Is it edifying? (Does it build up, not tear down?)
  • Is it Scripture-rooted? (Can I point to biblical truth?)
  • Is it humble? (Am I pointing to Jesus, not myself?)
  • Is it appropriate for the context? (Right time, right place?)
👥
Session 2 Handout

Team Proclamation Patterns in Acts

How the early church spoke together
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📖 Team Speaking in Acts

The book of Acts consistently shows proclamation as a communal activity, not solo performance:

Acts 2:14 — Peter with the Eleven

"Then Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice and addressed the crowd..."

Observation: Peter speaks, but the Eleven stand with him. This is shared authority and communal witness.

Acts 13-14 — Barnabas and Paul

  • Acts 13:1-3: The church in Antioch sends them out together
  • Acts 13:46: "Then Paul and Barnabas answered them boldly..." (joint response)
  • Acts 14:1: "At Iconium Paul and Barnabas went as usual into the Jewish synagogue. There they spoke so effectively..."
  • Acts 14:3: "So Paul and Barnabas spent considerable time there, speaking boldly for the Lord..."

Observation: They enter cities together, speak in turns, and strengthen believers as a team.

Acts 15:32 — Judas and Silas

"Judas and Silas, who themselves were prophets, said much to encourage and strengthen the believers."

Observation: Prophetic encouragement is a shared task, done by multiple voices.

🎭 Why Teams Matter

Theological Reasons

  • Proclamation represents the whole body, not just one person
  • Teams model mutual submission and shared authority
  • Multiple voices protect against error and pride

Practical Reasons

  • Shared preparation produces better messages
  • Teams provide on-the-spot accountability
  • Different voices reach different people

🛡️ Refusing Personal Glory (Acts 14:11-18)

When the crowd tried to worship Paul and Barnabas as gods:

"Friends, why are you doing this? We too are only human beings, like you. We are bringing you good news, telling you to turn from these worthless things to the living God..." — Acts 14:15
Key Principle: When praise comes, redirect it to Jesus. Always.

💬 Practice: How to Deflect Praise

If someone says "That was so good!" or "You're such a gifted speaker," practice these responses:

  • "I'm grateful Jesus was clear through that message."
  • "The team helped me sharpen that—it wasn't just me."
  • "Thanks for listening. I'm learning alongside you."
  • "That's the Spirit's work, not mine. Glad it encouraged you."

📝 Session 2 Practice Exercise

In pairs, outline how two speakers might share one message on Acts 2. Use this planning template:

[Write here...]
[e.g., Context and Scripture reading, vv. 14-21]
[e.g., Jesus as fulfillment, vv. 22-36]
[e.g., "Now my partner will show us how Peter points to Jesus..."]
[Speaker A / Speaker B / Together?]
💡
Session 3 Handout

Sample Big Ideas from Acts Sermons

Learning to write clear, gospel-centered thesis statements
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🎯 What is a Big Idea?

A Big Idea is a one-sentence summary that captures the entire sermon. It should be:

  • Clear: Anyone can understand it
  • Memorable: People can repeat it after the sermon
  • Gospel-centered: Jesus is the hero, not us
  • Actionable: It implies a response

📖 Big Ideas from Acts Sermons

Peter at Pentecost (Acts 2:14-36)

Sermon Element Details
Big Idea "God has made Jesus—whom you crucified—both Lord and Messiah. Repent and be baptized."
Text Joel 2:28-32, Psalm 16, Psalm 110
Tension You killed the Messiah
Gospel God raised Him and exalted Him as Lord
Response Repent and be baptized for forgiveness

Stephen's Defense (Acts 7:2-53)

Sermon Element Details
Big Idea "Israel has always resisted God's messengers—and now you've rejected the Righteous One."
Text Genesis through 2 Chronicles (narrative sweep)
Tension Israel's pattern of rebellion
Gospel Jesus is the fulfillment Israel rejected
Response Stop resisting the Holy Spirit

Paul in Antioch (Acts 13:16-41)

Sermon Element Details
Big Idea "Jesus is the promised Savior from David's line—believe in Him for forgiveness."
Text Psalm 2, Psalm 16, Isaiah 55
Tension The law of Moses cannot justify you
Gospel Through Jesus, forgiveness is offered
Response Believe and be justified

✍️ Common Big Idea Mistakes

❌ Too Vague

"God is good and we should trust Him."

Problem: No specificity, no gospel, no response

✅ Clear & Specific

"God proved His love by sending Jesus to die for us while we were still sinners—trust Him today."

Better: Specific gospel truth with clear response

❌ Moralism

"If you want to be blessed, you need to pray more and read your Bible."

Problem: Human effort, no Jesus, transactional

✅ Gospel-Centered

"Jesus invites you into constant conversation with the Father—prayer is relationship, not duty."

Better: Jesus enables response, focuses on relationship

📝 Your Turn: Write a Big Idea

Choose one of the following Acts passages and write a one-sentence Big Idea:

[ ] Acts 2:14-36 [ ] Acts 7:2-53 [ ] Acts 13:16-41
[Write here...]
  • Is Jesus the hero of my Big Idea?
  • Can someone repeat this after hearing it once?
  • Does it point to a clear response?
  • Is it specific to the passage (not generic)?
📖
Session 4 Handout

Testimony Template

Sharing your story as gospel proclamation
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🎯 Testimony vs. Autobiography

Autobiography tells your life story for its own sake.
Testimony tells how Jesus interrupted your life story.

Key Principle: Testimony keeps Jesus central. It's not just personal experience—it's gospel proclamation through personal encounter with the risen Lord.

📖 Paul's Testimony Structure

Paul tells his testimony three times in Acts (chapters 9, 22, 26). Every time, he follows this pattern:

1. Before

Life before encountering Jesus

2. Encounter

How Jesus met me

3. Now

Life transformed by Jesus

✍️ Writing Your 90-Second Testimony

BEFORE — What was life like before Jesus?

(Not your whole life story—just the belief/struggle Jesus addressed)
[Write here...]
[Write here...]

ENCOUNTER — How did Jesus meet you?

(Specific moment, season, or realization)
[Write here...]
[Write here...]

NOW — What's different because of Jesus?

(Be honest—transformation is a process, not perfection)
[Write here...]
[Write here...]

🚨 Common Testimony Pitfalls to Avoid

  • Too much "before" — Don't spend 2 minutes on darkness and 30 seconds on Jesus
  • Graphic detail — No need to describe every sin in vivid detail
  • Forgetting Jesus — "I decided to change my life" vs. "Jesus changed my life"
  • Making "now" sound perfect — Honesty about ongoing growth is powerful
  • Turning it into a sermon — This is personal witness, not teaching

✅ Testimony Checklist

Before sharing, make sure your testimony:

  • Is 90 seconds or less
  • Names Jesus explicitly (not just "God" or "faith")
  • Is appropriate for the audience (no unnecessary detail)
  • Points to Jesus as Savior, not you as hero
  • Ends with ongoing growth, not arrival

📝 Write Your Full Testimony

[Write here...]
[What feedback did I receive? What will I adjust?]
✅
Session 5 Handout

1 Corinthians 14 Criteria for Prophecy

Discernment checklist for prophetic speech
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📖 Paul's Instructions on Prophecy

"Follow the way of love and eagerly desire gifts of the Spirit, especially prophecy... The one who prophesies speaks to people for their strengthening, encouraging and comfort." — 1 Corinthians 14:1, 3

🎯 Four Essential Criteria

Before speaking prophetically, test your words against these four standards from 1 Corinthians 14:

1. Is it INTELLIGIBLE? 1 Cor 14:19

"I would rather speak five intelligible words to instruct others than ten thousand words in a tongue."

  • Can a first-time visitor understand what you're saying?
  • Are you using clear language, not Christian jargon?
  • Would someone know what to do with this word?

2. Is it EDIFYING? 1 Cor 14:3-5

"The one who prophesies edifies the church... so that the church may be edified."

  • Does it strengthen, encourage, or console?
  • Does it build up the body, not tear down?
  • Will this lead to greater faith, hope, and love?

3. Is it ORDERLY? 1 Cor 14:33, 40

"God is not a God of disorder but of peace... Everything should be done in a fitting and orderly way."

  • Is this the right time and place?
  • Are you submitting to church leadership and structure?
  • Is the Spirit leading, or am I forcing it?

4. Is it TESTED? 1 Cor 14:29

"Two or three prophets should speak, and the others should weigh carefully what is said."

  • Have you shared this with trusted believers first?
  • Are you willing to be corrected if you're wrong?
  • Does this align with Scripture and gospel truth?

🛡️ Pre-Sharing Discernment Questions

Before you speak prophetically in any context, ask yourself:

  • Intelligibility: Can I say this in plain language?
  • Edification: Will this build up or tear down?
  • Scripture: Does this align with biblical truth?
  • Jesus-centeredness: Does this point to Jesus or to me?
  • Humility: Am I willing to be wrong about this?
  • Context: Is this the right time and place?
  • Community: Have I tested this with others?
  • Love: Is love motivating me? 1 Cor 13:1

💬 Examples: Testing Prophetic Speech

Example 1: "I sense God is doing something new in our church."

Discernment Test:
  • Intelligible? ❌ Too vague—what specifically is God doing?
  • Edifying? ⚠️ Could be, but needs more clarity
  • Testable? ❌ How would we verify this?
Better version: "I've noticed increased prayer and unity among our leaders. I think God is preparing us for deeper community."
Example 2: "God is building endurance in us through this difficult season, teaching us to trust Him when we can't see outcomes."

Discernment Test:
  • Intelligible? ✅ Clear and specific
  • Edifying? ✅ Encourages trust and endurance
  • Testable? ✅ Observable in community life
  • Christ-centered? ✅ Points to God's faithfulness
Verdict: This is solid prophetic encouragement.

📝 Practice: Discern Together

As a group, identify one encouragement your church needs right now. Use this worksheet:

[Write observations here...]
[Write here...]
[Reference and brief explanation...]
[Write here...]
  • Intelligible? (Clear and understandable)
  • Edifying? (Builds up, strengthens, encourages)
  • Orderly? (Right time, right context)
  • Tested? (Group affirms this is accurate)
🔍
Session 8 Handout

Discernment Questions for Sending

Identifying gifts and contexts for ongoing ministry
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🎯 Purpose of Session 8

The final session is about naming gifts and discerning next steps. This is not the end—it's the beginning of ongoing formation and faithful speaking.

Remember: We don't pressure anyone into contexts they're not ready for. We discern together what the Spirit is doing and celebrate growth.

👥 Group Discernment Exercise

Go around the circle. For each person, the group will answer these questions:

[Write here...]
(Teaching clarity? Testimonial power? Prophetic encouragement? Humility? Teachability?)
[Group writes observations...]
(Confidence? Clarity? Jesus-centeredness? Handling feedback?)
[Group writes observations...]
(Small group teaching? Youth ministry? One-on-one discipleship? Sunday teaching team? Testimony in worship?)
[Group writes ideas...]
(More practice opportunities? Ongoing feedback partnership? Deeper biblical training?)
[Group writes suggestions...]

🙏 Personal Reflection

After hearing from the group, reflect personally:

[Write here...]
[Write here...]
[Write here...]
[Write here...]
[Write here...]

🚀 Next Steps Commitment

Don't leave Session 8 without a concrete next step. Fill this out together with a trusted team member:

[Example: "Prepare a 10-minute teaching for small group in 3 weeks"]
[Specific deadline...]
[Example: "Pre-feedback from team on my outline"]
[Name of person who will check in...]
[Date and time...]

💝 Commissioning Prayer Structure

When praying for each person at the end of Session 8, follow this pattern:

1. Gratitude

"Father, thank You for [name] and the journey they've walked with us..."

2. Affirmation of Gifts

"We've seen You gift them with [specific observations]..."

3. Blessing for Next Steps

"Send Your Spirit to guide them as they [specific context or next step]..."

4. Ongoing Formation

"Continue to form them into the image of Jesus, who spoke with authority and love..."

📅 Ongoing Formation Ideas

Consider these options for continued growth after the 8-week pathway:

  • Monthly practice labs — Team gathers to practice and give feedback
  • Feedback partnerships — Pair up for ongoing pre/post sermon feedback
  • Alumni cohort — Quarterly gatherings for past participants
  • Mentor relationships — Experienced speakers coach newer ones
  • Next cohort facilitation — Help lead the next 8-week group

🔗 Related Resources

These handouts support the 8-session curriculum. For complete session plans and leader notes:

📚 Curriculum

View the full 8-week journey with session goals and timing.

📖 Framework

Learn the Acts-shaped methodology with worked examples (the textbook).

✍️ Builder

Interactive sermon builder with book presets (the workbench).

🫶 Feedback Method

Learn the Affirm → Clarify → Form approach.

🎙️ Practice Lab

Understand preparation and how to ask for help.

📜 Team Charter

The constitution and commitments of the team.

✉️ Invitation

Understand the vision and framework overview.

🏠 Hub

Return to the Prophetic Training main hub.
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