The Journey: GO

REMINDER:  Next week is communion, so that means it's rGroup INVITE NIGHT!  Throw a party, cook some good food, and most importantly INVITE YOUR FRIENDS!  Invite Nights aren't just designed for the groups to throw a party for themselves.  It's designed to be an easy, non-threatening on-ramp for people to come into your group and have a good time.  Let's lower some barriers for people so that they'll be more likely to attend a worship experience or rGroup in the future when you follow up with them and give them the invitation.



Text: 2 Corinthians 5:20-6:13

Summary:  Paul connects the title of Ambassador with one of the responsibilities of Christians.  He also gives 2 strong statements for Christians: do not receive the grace of God in vain, and do not place any obstacles in anyone's way of meeting Jesus.


1.  "Vain" is defined as "producing no results; useless."  So Paul says don't take the grace and gift of God and do nothing with it!  What are ways that people take the gift of God's grace in vain?  What areas of our lives is the Gospel "producing no results"?


2.  So how are you really an ambassador?  Here is a list of what Ambassadors do.  Take this list and explain how it relates to your Christian life and responsibilities as ambassadors of God's kingdom.
a.  The Ambassador advances the mission of the king/president/leader.  The Ambassador does what is best for the president and the home country, not what is the best for himself or for the country in which he lives and works.
b.  The Ambassador is given all of the authority and power of the president.  He is a direct representative of the home nation when the president is not there.
c.  The Ambassador is a liaison that brings 2 nations or people groups together.  When people have questions about policy, a decision, or something that was said, they approach the ambassador and he acts as a reconciler between the 2 parties.


3.  Paul urges the Church not to put any obstacles in the way of people as they move forward in their Journey with God.  What are some examples of obstacles that we put in the way?  What would be the opposite of these obstacles (a.k.a., things we SHOULD be doing so that more people can hear about Jesus and becomes followers of His?)


4.  What are some of the practical excuses that we offer up for not GOING? (no money, no time, inconvenient, too long, too hard).  Those excuses turn into obstacles for other people hearing the Gospel message.  How can we move past those excuses, find answers for them, and move forward together?  Let's eliminate excuses that we have for not living up to the title of Ambassador!


5.  Let's get a game plan together!  As an organization, REVO provides opportunities twice a year to GO globally (Italy is in July, and Cuba is November 11-17 of this year).  Now, read Acts 1:8.  This is the last thing that Jesus tells his followers to do (a step in their journey) before he ascends into heaven.  "You are to GO."  Jesus ends with "to the end of the earth."  We often refer to that as "going to the nations."  However, Jesus starts with a different place: Jerusalem.  That's the home base of the apostles.

So here is your homework.  Formulate a strategy that starts on your doorstep (in your Jerusalem).  What can you and your group do to Reach This City?  How can you work together to GO in your own neighborhood?

Secondly, what is your strategy to GO globally?  Whatever your excuse is, make a game plan to overcome it (e.g., put a monthly savings plan in place if money is an issue.  Map out your vacation time at work to ensure you have time to take off when the opportunity to GO presents itself).