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Read a scripture and sing worship songs.
(Optional) Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. He wants all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God and one mediator also between God and man, the man Jesus Christ, who gave himself as a ransom for all. (Philippians 2:11b; 1 Timothy 2:4-6a)
Minister to one another’s needs in prayer, biblical counsel and encouragement.
Encourage loving accountability to obey Jesus
Choose a way to cast vision for who they can become in Christ or what God can do through them by:
Share BIG vision “A church for every village and community, and the gospel for every person.”
32 As Peter traveled about the country, he went to visit the Lord’s people who lived in Lydda.33 There he found a man named Aeneas, who was paralyzed and had been bedridden for eight years.34 “Aeneas,” Peter said to him, “Jesus Christ heals you. Get up and roll up your mat.” Immediately Aeneas got up.35 All those who lived in Lydda and Sharon saw him and turned to the Lord.
36 In Joppa there was a disciple named Tabitha (in Greek her name is Dorcas); she was always doing good and helping the poor.37 About that time she became sick and died, and her body was washed and placed in an upstairs room.38 Lydda was near Joppa; so when the disciples heard that Peter was in Lydda, they sent two men to him and urged him, “Please come at once!”
39 Peter went with them, and when he arrived he was taken upstairs to the room. All the widows stood around him, crying and showing him the robes and other clothing that Dorcas had made while she was still with them.
40 Peter sent them all out of the room; then he got down on his knees and prayed. Turning toward the dead woman, he said, “Tabitha, get up.” She opened her eyes, and seeing Peter she sat up.41 He took her by the hand and helped her to her feet. Then he called for the believers, especially the widows, and presented her to them alive.42 This became known all over Joppa, and many people believed in the Lord.43 Peter stayed in Joppa for some time with a tanner named Simon.
Additional questions you can use:
Peter begins to travel outside of Jerusalem to visit believers who have settled in other towns. The Spirit uses him to perform many miracles and lead many people to Christ in Lydda and Joppa. These are the first churches outside of Jerusalem that Peter helps to start. Directed by the Spirit through prayer, Peter raises Tabitha to life in the same way that he saw Jesus raise Jarius’ daughter ( Mark 5:38-42 ). So far, we have seen many examples of what Jesus said would happen when the Spirit comes, “these works you will do and even greater works” ( John 14:12 ). Tabitha is an example of a woman who was active in ministry by caring for others and helping to provide for widows in the area. Peter shows growth in his understanding of grace by being willing to stay at the home of a tanner, a profession seen as unclean by Jewish religious cultural terms.
Practice giving and communion here or in the Preparing for Mission section
Practice needed skills or previous topics to help prepare to minister to others:
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