Guide Others in 2021
Convincing a group of people with a message that, on merit alone, is surely not true. What kind of a witness is that?
Discussion questions:
What was it that first caused you to be interested in Jesus?
What are some of the hopes and longings that most people have in common?
When you think about your relationship with Jesus, what longings do you have that He has been the answer to? Or that you are still hoping that He is the answer to?
How could your hopes and longings provide a way of talking with others about your faith in Jesus?
The 'who' and the 'how' of preaching the gospel is very broad and for sure is not relegated to a Sunday morning platform. Preaching happens at summer bbqs and coffee shops, via phone calls and an encouraging note. Preaching happens when we, the messengers, share the message we've been given with somebody else.
Discussion questions:
Share what comes to mind when you hear the word 'evangelism'. Is it good or bad?
What do you think the message is that God has given you to deliver?
Think of the context of one of your friends - how would you adjust your message to be better heard by them?
What are some ways that you would describe your life before following Christ? And after following Christ?
Share your story of salvation with your Growth Group or another Christian friend.
Sometimes it feels like a well-loved stuffed animal from our youth could cure whatever ails. But are we being shortsighted? Have we looked past the deeper need in favor of a stubbed toe?
Discussion Questions:
What opportunities have you had to serve someone recently?
What are some unconventional ways you have seen others serve?
What needs do you see in the world that feel overwhelming to you?
There is power and significance in eating together and being part of inviting outsiders to the joy of life in relationship to God and his people. An important lesson of evangelism is this - we do not have any right to share our faith with someone with whom we would not share a meal.
Discussion Questions:
Share some of your favorite food memories--special food, occasions, people, etc.
Talk about the role that food plays in key events of life.
Thinking about the summer ahead and the people you want to BLESS, what "eating together" opportunities do you see?
So many good things happen when we listen to one another. When we listen to someone - hear a part of their story, their interests, hobbies or something about their family - we understand that person better. If we really want to love our neighbors... listening is an act of love.
Discussion Questions:
Share a story from your growing up years.
When has someone listening to you made you feel valued?
What kinds of things make it hard for you to listen to others?
List some situations and opportunities to listen to someone on your BLESS prayer list.
Begin with prayer... prayer for people with whom we live, work and play. Why? For hope, for mercy and the opportunity to join God, as a partner, in turning the lives and hearts of those we know and love toward Jesus.
Discussion Questions:
What can we learn about Abraham from this scene?
Talk about (or journal about) some people who you could pray for with the same heart that Abraham has in his prayers.
Sometimes we are not quite sure how we can bless others... how to be salt and light to people... and encourage them toward a relationship with Jesus. Well, take heart, because when God blesses, He empowers something or someone to be and do what it is He has designed for it to be or to do. We get to take part in blessing others because we have been blessed.
Discussion Questions:
Make a list of people who have blessed you in your life. Include all kinds of blessing - from simple words of encouragement to big investments in your life. Keep the list, and add to it as you think of additional experiences of being blessed.
What do you see as the difference between a "blessing" mindset and a "converting" mindset?
Can you think of someone who you can bless this week?
If 'blessing' is God's power being given to fulfill what something is designed for, then the critical question should be what is God's intention? The answer goes all the way back to the garden. To be blessed is to live in the presence of and in relationship with God Himself, the source of all blessing.
Please use the following questions for discussion and application of this week’s message.
When you hear the phrase, "God bless you", what comes to mind?
Think of several parts of God's creation, and talk about what you think God's intention/purpose is for that element of creation.
Have you tried to use something in a way for which it was not designed? Share the story.
Share a time when God used you to bless someone or someone to bless you.
God's big plan... saving the whole world and blessing the people on the earth. Abraham and Sarah received that blessing because they chose the journey even though they were going without knowing.
Please use the following questions for discussion and application of this week’s message.
Think of a time when you had to leave everything behind and start new (college, job, military). What did it feel like? What was hard about it?
What kinds of things might people need to be willing to turn away from as they consider a deeper commitment to Jesus? What kinds of blessings might come as a result of this?