Summary: In Scripture we see that the first step to seeing someone's life changed by Jesus is to actually GO. None of the other steps in the process can be accomplished if people aren't willing to first step up and go.
Text: Romans 10:13-15 and 2 Corinthians 5:18
1. Read Romans 10:13-15
a. What are the 6 "phases" that provide a great strategy for seeing life change through Jesus? (Go, Tell, Hear, Believe, Call on Jesus, and life change through Jesus).
b. Which of those have you done in the past? What are the easier phases for you? Which are the most difficult phases?
c. Think about your own testimony and how you came to be a follower of Jesus. Share some of the details of how you remember these phases happening in your own story of life change.
2. Read 2 Corinthians 5:18 and John 20:21
a. What is the gift that God gave you? In return, what is the responsibility that God has given to us?
b. What does it mean to "reconcile" people back to God? Have you ever done that personally? How can you do that?
c. What does it mean that Jesus is "sending" you? Where is he sending you to? What are you suppose to do? Why is he sending you?
Here are 4 easy steps you can take to Move Forward this week:
a. Pray for God to Send People. Read Matthew 9:37-38. Stop right now as a group and spend some time praying for God to send more people out to tell others about Jesus!
b. Give to Help Others Go. Read 3 John 1:8.
-Are there friends of yours that you can help?
-Has anyone in the group ever been helped by others financially to Go?
-How did God use that to help other people hear about Him?
c. Step Out in Faith. Read Isaiah 6:8.
-Would you be willing to pray a very dangerous and exciting prayer like "Here I am God, send me"?
-What is the biggest thing that God is looking for when he uses people in powerful ways to get other people to Himself? (Availability).
-What's the difference between availability and ability?
-Why is it so encouraging for us that God is taking volunteers based on availability instead of ability? (means He can use anyone and that everyone has a role to play if you're willing to step out in faith).
-Does anyone have a story of how God used them after they took a step out on faith?
d. Go Where You Can Now. Read Luke 8:39
-What can you do NOW to say yes to Jesus when he says Go?
-Where is your mission field as a parent, worker, church member, boss, leader, or follower of Jesus?
Saturday, July 25, 2015
Sunday, July 19, 2015
BODY PARTS: Serve or Be Served
Summary: Jesus has one final moment with all of his 12 disciples together before he was arrested and crucified. Out of all of the messages that Jesus could have communicated to them in his final hours, he chose to tell them and show them the importance of service.
Text: John 13:1-15
1. Read vs 1. If you could only have one more conversation with someone special, what would you say? To your spouse, your parents, your kids, your best friends? If you knew that you would be remembered for this final conversation, how does that impact the words that you say or the things you do?
2. Read vs 3 and vs 13. What is so significant about these details concerning Jesus? Why is it important that we see him as having all power and authority, and as Lord and Teacher? How does that enrich what Jesus did?
3. In vs 6-10a, we see Peter has a skewed understanding of what Jesus is really doing. He sees it as a cleansing task and not as an important symbol. What happens to our attitude when we view service as simply a task to be completed? How does our speech and attitude and mindset change when we see service as an opportunity to impact others and help them say yes to Jesus?
4. In vs 15, we read that since Jesus served us, we also ought to serve one another. He is the example. His life was the standard that was set for his followers. Other than service, what are other examples from the life of Jesus that help to illustrate how we should live our lives?
5. What did you think about the 1-hour service challenge? Would you be willing to give away an hour of your life each week? What are some ways that you can do that inside and outside of the church? What impact could your group have as a whole if they adopted the 1-hour challenge?
Text: John 13:1-15
1. Read vs 1. If you could only have one more conversation with someone special, what would you say? To your spouse, your parents, your kids, your best friends? If you knew that you would be remembered for this final conversation, how does that impact the words that you say or the things you do?
2. Read vs 3 and vs 13. What is so significant about these details concerning Jesus? Why is it important that we see him as having all power and authority, and as Lord and Teacher? How does that enrich what Jesus did?
3. In vs 6-10a, we see Peter has a skewed understanding of what Jesus is really doing. He sees it as a cleansing task and not as an important symbol. What happens to our attitude when we view service as simply a task to be completed? How does our speech and attitude and mindset change when we see service as an opportunity to impact others and help them say yes to Jesus?
4. In vs 15, we read that since Jesus served us, we also ought to serve one another. He is the example. His life was the standard that was set for his followers. Other than service, what are other examples from the life of Jesus that help to illustrate how we should live our lives?
5. What did you think about the 1-hour service challenge? Would you be willing to give away an hour of your life each week? What are some ways that you can do that inside and outside of the church? What impact could your group have as a whole if they adopted the 1-hour challenge?
Saturday, July 11, 2015
BODY PARTS: Giver or Taker
Text: 1 Corinthians 12:1-11, Romans 12:1 Peter 4:10, Ephesians 2:10
Summary: Paul reminds the Church that the gifts that God has given us are to be used not with a consumeristic approach, but in a way that honors God, advances His mission, serves His Church, and benefits others around us.
1. Read 1 Corinthians 12:1. What are some of the common misconceptions about gifts? Where are the areas of confusion for people? (don't have a gift, don't need to use it in the church, given to me to benefit mainly me, don't use the gift, have never taken the time to identify the gift that God has given you so that you can use it for others).
2. Read Romans 12:6a and 1 Peter 4:10. 2 requests that Paul makes are that Christians USE THEIR GIFTS and that they use them TO SERVE OTHERS. What are your gifts? What do you think God has given you? Your talents, your passions, your abilities, your strengths.
3. Read 1 Corinthians 12:4. How have you used these gifts to benefit yourself? How have you used these gifts to benefit others and the common good? How have you used these gifts to worship and honor God?
c. What are some gifts that God has given you that you aren't using, or that you are just using to benefit yourself? How do these untapped gifts fit into the church body, and how can you use these untapped gifts to honor God?
3. READ Ephesians 2:10.
a. Who created you? Who designed you? Who gave you the gifts and talents that you have? If an all-knowing God did this in your life, do you think he made a mistake with the gift that He gave you? Do you think it could ever be insignificant or unimportant?
b. When you are created in Christ Jesus (a.k.a. receive the gift of salvation and become a follower of Jesus), what is your purpose in that?
Summary: Paul reminds the Church that the gifts that God has given us are to be used not with a consumeristic approach, but in a way that honors God, advances His mission, serves His Church, and benefits others around us.
1. Read 1 Corinthians 12:1. What are some of the common misconceptions about gifts? Where are the areas of confusion for people? (don't have a gift, don't need to use it in the church, given to me to benefit mainly me, don't use the gift, have never taken the time to identify the gift that God has given you so that you can use it for others).
2. Read Romans 12:6a and 1 Peter 4:10. 2 requests that Paul makes are that Christians USE THEIR GIFTS and that they use them TO SERVE OTHERS. What are your gifts? What do you think God has given you? Your talents, your passions, your abilities, your strengths.
3. Read 1 Corinthians 12:4. How have you used these gifts to benefit yourself? How have you used these gifts to benefit others and the common good? How have you used these gifts to worship and honor God?
c. What are some gifts that God has given you that you aren't using, or that you are just using to benefit yourself? How do these untapped gifts fit into the church body, and how can you use these untapped gifts to honor God?
3. READ Ephesians 2:10.
a. Who created you? Who designed you? Who gave you the gifts and talents that you have? If an all-knowing God did this in your life, do you think he made a mistake with the gift that He gave you? Do you think it could ever be insignificant or unimportant?
b. When you are created in Christ Jesus (a.k.a. receive the gift of salvation and become a follower of Jesus), what is your purpose in that?
c. If God laid out your gifts ahead of time and has a plan for you and a path for you to walk on, what does that communicate about your significance and importance in the Body? Are you living your life with purpose and fulfillment, or do you walk around like this whole life thing is one big coincidence or accident?
Saturday, July 4, 2015
BODY PARTS: Speak Up or Shut Up
Text:
Matthew 5:13-16
Acts 16:25-34
Summary:
Evangelism is both a specific gifting from the Holy Spirit to some believers and also a general call for all followers of Jesus Christ. Jesus teaches his followers to be the Salt of the Earth and the Light of the World. In Acts, we see a powerful example of how Paul and Silas were Salt and Light, and what impact it had on those around them.
1. READ Matthew 5:13
Let's take a look at the different roles of salt, specifically in the first century when Jesus was preaching Matthew 5. Are you fulfilling the roles that Jesus called you to as a follower of his?
a. Salt was a form of currency for soldiers in the army and many other jobs. So salt was VALUABLE. What spiritual worth are you bringing to the lives of others around you?
b. Without preservatives or refrigeration, salt was necessary for the longevity of the life of food. Salt PRESERVES. For us, salt preserves life eternal with Jesus. Have you ever led someone into a relationship with Jesus, helping to preserve their spiritual life? What about planting seeds in their life?
c. Our lives should be better and more full than non Christians because we have forgiveness, satisfaction, joy, salvation, hope, a future. Salt SEASONS. How is your speech and actions adding seasoning to the lives of those around you?
d. We salt the roads before an ice storm. Salt MELTS. God can use something you say or do and begin to melt a hardened heart and make it receptive to the Gospel message. Are your words Gospel saturated so that hearts are being melted, or abrasive and negative so that hearts are being hardened towards the Gospel?
e. We gargle with warm salt water to heal a sore throat. Salt HEALS. Christians and the Gospel bring healing to a hurting and broken world. Are your words and actions bringing healing to the lives of others, or doing more harm and creating more division?
f. It's why bars give away free pnuts and Mexican restaurants give away free chips and salsa. Salt makes your THIRSTY. As Christians, our lives should make other people "thirst." They should want what we have because it seems so great. Has anyone ever asked you about the distinct differences they see in your life? A good attitude, a different outlook on life, or how you respond to things around you? Are you ready to give an answer for that if someone does ask?
2. REREAD Matthew 5:13. What are ways that a Christian can lose their saltiness? What does Jesus say about the effectiveness of Christians that aren't the salt and light that they are called to be?
3. READ Acts 16:25Paul and Silas didn't allow the distractions of life to get in the way of them being salt and light to the world. What are things (both good and bad) that distract you from being salt and light? (busyness, talk about everything else except Jesus, focus on the negatives and what Christians are AGAINST rather than what we stand FOR, fear, inability to answer possible questions so avoid the subject all together, etc).
4. READ Acts 16:31-32Being Salt and Light involves both actions and words. What are way that you SHOW people that you are salt and light? What are some ways that you can bring God up in your conversations to use your WORDS as salt and light?
5. READ ACTS 16:33-34What are some of the characteristics of men and woman that have been truly impacted by Jesus?a. Washed their wounds (treat people differently than before you met Jesus)b. Was baptized at once (immediate obedience to Jesus)c. He and his family (Shows that the soldier went home and led his family to Jesus by being salt and light)d. Brought them into his house (community and fellowship with believers and non believers)e. Set food before them (served them, provided for the needs of people)f. Rejoiced with his family and everyone around him (worship, honor, praise, thanksgiving, gratitude towards God)
Matthew 5:13-16
Acts 16:25-34
Summary:
Evangelism is both a specific gifting from the Holy Spirit to some believers and also a general call for all followers of Jesus Christ. Jesus teaches his followers to be the Salt of the Earth and the Light of the World. In Acts, we see a powerful example of how Paul and Silas were Salt and Light, and what impact it had on those around them.
1. READ Matthew 5:13
Let's take a look at the different roles of salt, specifically in the first century when Jesus was preaching Matthew 5. Are you fulfilling the roles that Jesus called you to as a follower of his?
a. Salt was a form of currency for soldiers in the army and many other jobs. So salt was VALUABLE. What spiritual worth are you bringing to the lives of others around you?
b. Without preservatives or refrigeration, salt was necessary for the longevity of the life of food. Salt PRESERVES. For us, salt preserves life eternal with Jesus. Have you ever led someone into a relationship with Jesus, helping to preserve their spiritual life? What about planting seeds in their life?
c. Our lives should be better and more full than non Christians because we have forgiveness, satisfaction, joy, salvation, hope, a future. Salt SEASONS. How is your speech and actions adding seasoning to the lives of those around you?
d. We salt the roads before an ice storm. Salt MELTS. God can use something you say or do and begin to melt a hardened heart and make it receptive to the Gospel message. Are your words Gospel saturated so that hearts are being melted, or abrasive and negative so that hearts are being hardened towards the Gospel?
e. We gargle with warm salt water to heal a sore throat. Salt HEALS. Christians and the Gospel bring healing to a hurting and broken world. Are your words and actions bringing healing to the lives of others, or doing more harm and creating more division?
f. It's why bars give away free pnuts and Mexican restaurants give away free chips and salsa. Salt makes your THIRSTY. As Christians, our lives should make other people "thirst." They should want what we have because it seems so great. Has anyone ever asked you about the distinct differences they see in your life? A good attitude, a different outlook on life, or how you respond to things around you? Are you ready to give an answer for that if someone does ask?
2. REREAD Matthew 5:13. What are ways that a Christian can lose their saltiness? What does Jesus say about the effectiveness of Christians that aren't the salt and light that they are called to be?
3. READ Acts 16:25Paul and Silas didn't allow the distractions of life to get in the way of them being salt and light to the world. What are things (both good and bad) that distract you from being salt and light? (busyness, talk about everything else except Jesus, focus on the negatives and what Christians are AGAINST rather than what we stand FOR, fear, inability to answer possible questions so avoid the subject all together, etc).
4. READ Acts 16:31-32Being Salt and Light involves both actions and words. What are way that you SHOW people that you are salt and light? What are some ways that you can bring God up in your conversations to use your WORDS as salt and light?
5. READ ACTS 16:33-34What are some of the characteristics of men and woman that have been truly impacted by Jesus?a. Washed their wounds (treat people differently than before you met Jesus)b. Was baptized at once (immediate obedience to Jesus)c. He and his family (Shows that the soldier went home and led his family to Jesus by being salt and light)d. Brought them into his house (community and fellowship with believers and non believers)e. Set food before them (served them, provided for the needs of people)f. Rejoiced with his family and everyone around him (worship, honor, praise, thanksgiving, gratitude towards God)
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