2023 June 7 | World Changers: Now Go

SMALL GROUP MATERIAL

Inward Prayer

Small Group Questions:

    1. Who in your life has shared the gospel with you? Was it a good experience? How did they do it?
    2. What does it mean to be a disciple of Jesus?
    3. Do you feel equipped to share your faith in Jesus with a friend?
    4. If your friend asked you how to start a relationship with Jesus, what would you say?
    5. Pick a friend, and pray for them every day this week, and be prepared to share your faith with them if they ask.

Outward Prayer

MESSAGE NOTES

THE MAIN POINT

The Church does not have a mission, God’s mission has a Church.

THE BIBLE

Matthew 28:18-20, Romans 6:10-11

THE CONTEXT

Disciples are called to make disciples, but often this call leaves us in a place where we feel inadequate or confused, or ill-equipped. Sometimes we may think that making disciples feels like a task, meaning people become projects and we become project managers. If we find ourselves thinking or acting like this, we will forget that every human being is dearly loved by God, made in his image, whom God wants to make new. Sharing Jesus becomes a job that we end up hating and eventually not doing.

The reality from scripture and the story of Jesus is that the Church does not have a mission, but rather God’s mission has a Church. So what is God’s mission? GOD WANTS TO RENEW ALL THINGS. Jesus describes this as “life in its fullest.” (John 10:10). Look below to see God’s framework for mission throughout scripture:

  • Mission comes from the heart of God (Gen 1:28)
  • God searches for those who wander away (Gen 3)
  • God sent others in this search (Abraham Gen 12, Jonah, Prophets)
  • Jesus preached about searching for what was lost (Luke 15)
  • Jesus invites and sends the disciples on mission (Matthew 28)
  • Jesus empowers the church to be his witnesses (Acts, 1&2)

Sharing Jesus and making disciples is not about treating people like projects, but by treating people as God treats them, WITH LOVE. As we do this we are empowered by the Holy Spirit who lives within us.

THE CORE

As you prepare the core of the message using personal story and questions keep in mind these points:

  • The call of every disciple is to make disciples. This means being able to share Jesus with those we know and love.
  • Sharing Jesus means knowing our own story within God’s big story of making all things new.
  • Sharing Jesus means knowing God’s heart and having love for one another.
  • Once someone has given their life to Jesus, part of discipleship is teaching obedience to Jesus.

THE APPLICATION

As you prepare the application, challenge and/or encouragement, keep in mind these points:

  • Who can be one person that your listeners can pray for and show Jesus love this week?
  • If that relationship leads to faith conversations, are they prepared?
  • If that person wants a relationship with God, can they journey with them?