LOOK BACK
Praise
Read Psalm 95:1-7 and sing songs.
Celebrating God’s Faithfulness
- How have you experienced God in your life this week?
- How have you experienced God working through your life this week?
- Were you able to tell anyone this week about what God is doing in your life or pray with anyone?
Caring for each other
- Do you need any help from God in your life?
Motivation and Encouragement
In the book of Acts, we see how believers trained others to be trainers of others. One of the first followers of Jesus was a man named Barnabas. He found a new believer named Paul and helped him. Paul found a young believer named Timothy and took Timothy with him to share the gospel in many places. Later, Paul wrote to Timothy that he should train faithful men in the churches to find other younger Christians to train. Read 2 Timothy 2:2. Jesus to Barnabas to Paul to Timothy to faithful men to other younger Christians. All Christians are called to train trainers who can train trainers to train others. In this way the gospel spreads rapidly!
LOOK UP
Context
After Jesus was raised from the dead, He continued teaching His disciples about God’s Kingdom. During His last meeting with them, He reinforced the mission they were being called to and about the help that would be provided to them.
Read
Read
Read or watch Acts 1:1-8 two times as everyone listens
1 2 until the day he was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles he had chosen.
3 After his suffering, he presented himself to them and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God.
4 On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about.
5 For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”
6 Then they gathered around him and asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?”
7 He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority.8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
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Discovery Discussion
- What stands out for you in this passage?
- What do you like and what bothers you in this passage?
- Why do you think this passage is important?
- What are some possible ways a person could apply this passage? Is there:
- A behaviour to change?
- A promise to claim?
- An example to follow?
- A command to obey?
- Ask God what He wants you to do in response to the passage.
- Share this with the group
Read, Tell and Correct
- Read the story again. Have someone tell the story and ask the group to correct if necessary.
Summary
To follow Jesus means that we will obey His command to be His witnesses. But we can only do what is needed with the help of the power of the Holy Spirit in our lives. Only as He empowers us, can we be effective witnesses. God’s desire is that we witness to everyone--those like us and those not like us; those near to us and those who live all over the world.
For further enrichment: Read Transferable Concept #5: How you can be a fruitful witness and discuss with another group member.
LOOK FORWARD
Preparing for Mission
- Success in witnessing is simply taking the initiative to share Christ in the power of the Holy Spirit and leaving the results to God.
- Review the Spiritual Breathing principle and give personal opportunity to Exhale and Inhale
- Take a few minutes now, working through these questions, and be ready for the next open door God gives you to share your story.
BEFORE I ACCEPTED CHRIST
- What was my life like that will relate most to the non-Christian?
- What did my life revolve around the most? What did I get my security or happiness from? (The non-Christian is relying on something external to give them happiness)
- How did those areas begin to let me down?
- What is one word that captures this feeling? For example: empty, lost, etc.
HOW I ACCEPTED CHRIST
- What was my reaction when I first heard about Jesus?
- When did my attitude about Jesus begin to turn around? Why?
- What is one word that captures this feeling/change? For example: grace, amazed, etc?
NOW I HAVE ACCEPTED CHRIST
- What specific changes have taken place in your life since giving control of your life to Jesus?
- How have your motivations in life changed since becoming a Christian?
- What is one word that captures what life is like now? For example: peace, hope, etc.
Going on the Mission
- What is God revealing as your next steps this week with him and others?
- Share this step with the group and ask someone to pray for you as you take this step in the power of the Holy Spirit.
- Commit everyone’s goals to the Lord. Ask the Lord to help us be faithful and use us to start a movement of people living the MyFriends Lifestyle.
