Biblical Avatars
Outline:
Introduction
Review
Uncommon calling
Biblical Role Model
30 Biblical Role Models & Their Uncommon Callings
Scriptures:
Psalms 139:14
Acts 17:22 - 28
1 Corinthians 9: 20 - 23
Genesis 41:39-41
Judges 4: 4-9
Exodus 31: 1-5
2 Kings 22:14-17
Acts 16:14-15
Introduction.
All your life you’ve felt like you are different
It seems like everyone else knows how they are supposed to live life.
It feels like everyone else got a roadmap… Except you
You had to figure it out on your own
The thing that makes you unlike everyone else is valuable … because it makes you unlike everyone else.
What if your difference … Determines your destiny.
God created you for a unique contribution on earth
There has never been and will never be anyone who is exactly like you
You have a unique identity.
You were planned.
Your unique identity was calculated.
You aren’t the result of an assembly line
You are a custom order
You were created
You are the artistic creation of an all powerful God
You excel in certain areas
Talents
Skills.
Gifts
Competencies
There is no more important fact than the fact that you were:
Planned
Designed
Intended.
Psalms 139:14
14I will give thanks to You, because [i]I am awesomely and wonderfully made;
Wonderful are Your works,
And my soul knows it very well.
Created for purpose
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DORHFQGCIFe/?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==
Review
The two greatest days in your life are:
the day you were born
the day you figure out why you were born
– – Mark twain
Purpose is the fundamental reason something exists
It is the "why”
The Bible tells us that everything was created by God, the Designer, for a reason
God created humans to be in relationship with Him
That relationship was severed in the Garden of Eden
Jesus died to restore our relationship with God
Not just so you could get to Heaven
Your calling is the purpose that God created you for
It's the destination or the end goal of your assignment on earth
A calling is God‘s invitation for your participation and the reason for your creation
–Darius Daniels
Universal Callings
All Christians are called to:
To Love God
Love others
Make disciples
In the Last lesson, we discussed that Loving Your Neighbor means giving them the benefit of the doubt when they do something that falls short of your expectations
They Are late
Hurt you
Break their word
Assume positive intent
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DOJceWbjutc/?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==
Additionally, you are called to use your unique gifts, talents, and abilities to serve others, and to glorify God.
Having a purpose gives you
a meaningful goal
a sense of fulfilment
clarity in priorities and decisions
Having a purpose makes suffering more bearable
In this series we will discuss
The universal purposes that all Christians share
How to Discover your unique purpose
How to overcome the barriers preventing you from pursuing your purpose
Uncommon calling
you may have been called to do something that doesn’t exist in our society
you may feel isolated because your purpose doesn’t fit in traditional church or societal roles
You weren’t called to be a:
Pastor
Choir
Kid’s ministry
Missionary
Doctor
An uncommon calling is
Doing an uncommon thing
Doing a common thing in an uncommon way
"I thought I was unclear when I was really just uncommon."
– Dharius Daniels
If you don’t understand this you’ll think you need
more clarity
more direction
more certainty
There's only so much clarity you're going to get when you don't fit neatly within a box.
You may not have a lane
You may have some lanes
Be comfortable with your unique call - Bishop Ulmer
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DNRIIVipQCz/?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==
We must learn the style that God gives us.
Biblical Role Model
Biblical archetypes and avatars
Many people feel like they have a unique calling and they don’t see examples of it in the world.
Using a biblical role model can give you
Inspiration from them
alignment from them
affirmation of your assignment
you may not see an example of your calling in society, but you can see them in scripture.
Knowing that gives you affirmation and confirmation that you are on the right path.
And that your calling is biblically aligned.
What Is a Biblical Role Model?
A biblical role model is a scriptural figure whose life, mission, and calling align with a specific God-given assignment or purpose. These are models or blueprints for modern-day believers who may struggle to see themselves reflected in contemporary society but can find their identity, mission, and divine calling through scripture.
Why Is It Necessary for an Uncommon Calling?
Many people with unique or unconventional callings may feel isolated because their purpose doesn’t fit into traditional church roles or societal categories. However, scripture provides divine archetypes—individuals who walked in distinctive assignments, allowing modern believers to find inspiration, alignment, and affirmation. You may not see yourself in society, but you can see yourself in scripture.
30 Biblical Role Models & Their Uncommon Callings
One or more of the biblical characters may resonate with your spirit.
If so you can research them and it may help clarify your calling and your identity.
We will cover
The unique traits of the individual that you might identify with
The pitfalls the people of this type they fall into
Paul
1) Paul – The Intellectual Pioneer (Acts 17:16-34)
Merged faith and philosophy, creating a framework for engaging culture with truth.
Paul merged non-Christian thoughts as long as those are the thoughts aligned with Christian truths
On Mars hill “ in him we live and move and have our being“ was quoting a Cretian poet
Acts 17:22 - 28
22So Paul stood in the midst of the [t]Areopagus and said, “Men of Athens, I see that you are very religious in all respects. 23For while I was passing through and examining the objects of your worship, I also found an altar with this inscription, ‘TO AN UNKNOWN GOD.’ Therefore, what you worship in ignorance, this I proclaim to you. 24The God who made the world and everything that is in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made by hands; 25nor is He served by human hands, as though He needed anything, since He Himself gives to all people life and breath and all things; 26and He made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined their appointed times and the boundaries of their habitation, 27that they would seek God, if perhaps they might feel around for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us; 28for in Him we live and move and [u]exist, as even some of your own poets have said, ‘For we also are His descendants.’
“for in Him we live and move and exist”
Paul is quoting a Greek poet named Epimenides of Crete, who lived several centuries before Paul
1 Corinthians 9: 20 - 23
20To the Jews I became as a Jew, so that I might gain Jews; to those who are under the Law, I became as one under the Law, though not being under the Law myself, so that I might gain those who are under the Law; 21to those who are without the Law, I became as one without the Law, though not being without the law of God but under the law of Christ, so that I might gain those who are without the Law. 22To the weak I became weak, that I might gain the weak; I have become all things to all people, so that I may by all means save some. 23I do all things for the sake of the gospel, so that I may become a fellow partaker of it.
Potential Challenge
intellectual arrogance
can struggle with compassion
make truth a weapon instead of a bridge
Can embarrass and insult people
Luke
2) Luke – The Healer (Colossians 4:14)
Merged medicine and ministry, creating a model of holistic healing.
Could be physical healing through medicine
relational healing through counseling and coaching
It could be emotional healing through therapy and counseling
it could be spiritual healing through spiritual direction in counseling
Potential Challenge
They can be a savior complex.
May believe it’s their job to fix everyone and everything.
They are prone to emotional burnout.
Joseph
3) Joseph – The Administrator (Genesis 41:39-41)
Created a new blueprint for governance by using prophetic insight to implement economic strategies.
The problem solver
Genesis 41:39-41
39 So Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Since God has informed you of all this, there is no one as discerning and wise as you are. 40 “You shall be in charge of my house, and all my people shall be obedient to you; only regarding the throne will I be greater than you.” 41 Pharaoh also said to Joseph, “See, I have placed you over all the land of Egypt.”
Potential Challenge
A person may become
emotionally detached
overly pragmatic
trusting systems of the spirit and efficiency over empathy
You have to make sure that you don’t leave God out.
David
4) David – The Prototype King (1 Samuel 16:11-13, 2 Samuel 5:2)
Redefined leadership by blending warrior instincts, worship, and wisdom, setting the blueprint for spiritual kingship.
A leader who has a leadership model in a mode that defies conventional practices
Lead with Kingdom principles
generosity
Loving one another
Potential Challenge
There is this duality of public strength and private weakness which can justify more lapses due to visible failure.
Nehemiah
5) Nehemiah – The Builder (Nehemiah 2:17-18)
Disrupted ruin by leading a movement to rebuild walls and restore a nation’s identity.
It doesn’t have to be a literal builder
You want to build
a ministry
A homeless shelter
Not necessarily your job
Nehemiah was a cup bearer by trade
Potential Challenge
If you’re a Nehemiah you may
micromanage
carry burdens alone
Neglecting self-care
May lack spiritual dependence.
Deborah
6) Deborah – The Judge & Strategist (Judges 4:4-9)
Broke gender norms by leading a nation as both prophet and military strategist.
Judges 4: 4-9
4Now Deborah, a [a]prophetess, the wife of Lappidoth, was judging Israel at that time. 5She used to [b]sit under the palm tree of Deborah between Ramah and Bethel in the hill country of Ephraim; and the sons of Israel went up to her for judgment. 6Now she sent word and summoned Barak the son of Abinoam from Kedesh-naphtali, and said to him, “[c]The LORD, the God of Israel, has indeed commanded, ‘Go and march to Mount Tabor, and take with you ten thousand men from the sons of Naphtali and from the sons of Zebulun. 7I will draw out to you Sisera, the commander of Jabin’s army, with his chariots and his [d]many troops to the river Kishon, and I will hand him over to you.’” 8Then Barak said to her, “If you will go with me, then I will go; but if you will not go with me, I will not go.” 9She said, “I will certainly go with you; however, the fame shall not be yours on the journey that you are about to take, for the LORD will sell Sisera into the hand of a woman.” Then Deborah got up and went with Barak to Kedesh.
Potential Challenge
can be hyper independent
Can become dismissive of others' contributions or hesitant to receive assistance.
You don’t know how to be helped, therefore you don’t know how to build a team.
Moses
7) Moses – The Deliverer (Exodus 3:10) Disrupted oppression by pioneering national liberation and covenant law.
Moses leads people out
Moses could be a physical trainer or a doctor
they lead people out of something
You could be leading people out of addiction
he can be a financial planner leading people out of debt
He’s leading people out of whatever their bondage is
Potential Challenge
There can be emotional suppression which lead to emotional outbursts
Doesn’t address issues,
things that should’ve come out in wisdom came out in anger.
Esther
8) Esther – The Advocate (Esther 4:14)
Leveraged influence in uncommon spaces to prevent genocide and shift national destiny.
Gained access/influence to powerful people because of her natural gifts
Potential Challenge
May confuse being sacrificial with poor self stewardship and sacrifice herself when it’s not called or necessary.
Esther was called to lay down her life for that cause.
Some people are laying down their lives in areas they weren’t called to.
Bazalel
9) Bezalel – The Creative Artisan (Exodus 31:1-5)
Merged artistry and anointing, setting the template for sacred creativity.
The first time that the spirit of God was described as coming on a person, it was onto a creative.
Exodus 31: 1-5
1Now the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, 2“See, I have called by name Bezalel, the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah. 3And I have filled him with the Spirit of God in wisdom, in understanding, in knowledge, and in all kinds of [a]craftsmanship, 4to create [b]artistic designs for work in gold, in silver, and in [c]bronze, 5and in the cutting of stones [d]for settings, and in the carving of wood, so that he may work in all kinds of [e]craftsmanship.
Potential Challenge
Perfectionism.
May idolize creativity and aesthetic over impact and outcomes.
What you deliver is more important than how you deliver it.
The people you’re doing it for don’t notice the details you’re putting in.
Only the people that do what you do notice it.
Solomon
10) Solomon – The Wise Counselor (1 Kings 4:29-34)
Modeled governance through divine wisdom, influencing nations beyond Israel.
He was a thought leader and a leader
he is demonstrating his wisdom in what he built
using biblical truth to build a way for everyday life
Potential Challenge
Detached wisdom.
May offer answers without applying them personally. Leading to hypocrisy.
You can end up in Ecclesiastes because you didn’t take your advice in Proverbs.
Samuel
11) Samuel – The Prophetic Mentor (1 Samuel 3:19-21)
Redefined the prophetic by raising up future leaders and shifting national leadership.
Samuel wasn’t just a prophet… He was also a mentor
those who are mentoring people in their field can be like Samuel
Potential Challenge
Can over identify with mentees.
May struggle with letting go or confronting familiar dysfunction.
Peter
12) Peter – The Trailblazing Apostle (Matthew 16:18-19)
Pioneered the Church’s expansion and broke religious traditions to reach Gentiles.
If your trailblazer you are like Peter
Potential Challenge
Impulsive.
May leap before listening causing relational strategic missteps
John the Baptist
13) John the Baptist – The Forerunner (Luke 1:76)
Prepared the way for Jesus through radical preaching, rejecting status quo religious structures.
He didn’t preach in the temple
he preached in the wilderness
He was modeling a different way to do an old thing
he didn’t wear priestly garments… He wore lion cloth
He was modeling a different way to do an old thing
Potential Challenge
Isolation.
May demonize collaboration or reject structure becoming overly critical
Huldah
14) Huldah – The Interpreter (2 Kings 22:14-20)
A female prophet who disrupted traditional hierarchies by interpreting divine revelation for kings.
She could interpret divine revelation and give it to the king
they can then oversee the execution of it
2 Kings 22:14-17
14So Hilkiah the priest, Ahikam, Achbor, Shaphan, and Asaiah went to Huldah the prophetess, the wife of Shallum the son of [e]Tikvah, the son of Harhas, keeper of the wardrobe (and she lived in Jerusalem in the Second Quarter); and they spoke to her. 15Then she said to them, “This is what the LORD, the God of Israel says: ‘Tell the man who sent you to Me, 16“This is what the LORD says: ‘Behold, I am going to bring disaster on this place and on its inhabitants, all the words of the bookwhich the king of Judah has read. 17Since they have abandoned Me and have burned incense to other gods so that they may provoke Me to anger with all the work of their hands, My wrath burnsagainst this place, and it shall not be quenched.’”
some leaders are visionary, but they need someone else to interpret it in a way that the people can actually run with it, and oversee the execution of it
Potential Challenge
Elitism.
May rely on revelation without relationship or empathy, becoming inaccessible
Ruth
15) Ruth – The Culture Disruptor (Ruth 1:16-17)
Challenged cultural norms by choosing loyalty over lineage, securing generational impact.
She didn’t go back to her people
The way she came out to Boaz was untraditional
Potential Challenge
Identity confusion.
May lose herself in the new culture struggling to balance assimilation with authenticity.
Joshua
16) Joshua – The Conqueror (Joshua 1:9)
Created a new model of leadership by leading with divine strategies rather than conventional warfare.
Potential Challenge
Overconfidence.
May rely too heavily on past victories and neglect present instructions
Lydia
17) Lydia – The Kingdom Financier (Acts 16:14-15)
Disrupted gender and economic norms by using business success to fund ministry.
Acts 16:14-15
14 A woman named Lydia was listening; she was a seller of purple fabrics from the city of Thyatira, and a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to respond to the things spoken by Paul. 15 Now when she and her household had been baptized, she urged us, saying, “If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come into my house and stay.” And she prevailed upon us.
Potential Challenge
Workaholism.
May struggle to set boundaries and may find worth in your productivity and contribution.
Barnabas
18) Barnabas – The Encourager (Acts 4:36-37)
Created a discipleship blueprint by mentoring emerging leaders like Paul and Mark.
Potential Challenge
Avoiding the truth.
May coddle when correction is needed or delay confrontation for the sake of preserving false peace.
Mary of Bethany
19) Mary of Bethany – The Radical Devotee (Luke 10:38-42, John 12:1-8)
Disrupted religious customs by choosing intimacy over industry, modeling extravagant worship.
The ministry of presence
Your consistency is your ministry
Potential Challenge
Mysticism without mission.
May disengage from practical needs and other biblical responsibilities.
Mary avoided the practical work and just sat at Jesus‘s feet
The Proverbs 31 Woman
20) The Proverbs 31 Woman – The Entrepreneurial Steward (Proverbs 31:10-31)
Broke molds by being both a spiritual matriarch and a marketplace mogul.
Is uncommon to be both a spiritual matriarch and a marketplace mogul
Potential Challenge
Performance pressure.
May over function in all roles neglecting emotional or spiritual health.
Instructor: Michael Leadon
Reference
Your Purpose is Calling
Dharius Daniels
Biblical Avatars (from Uncommon Calling Academy)
Dharious Daniels
Extra
Pizza Monster
https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZP8A9kRcb/
No comments:
Post a Comment