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Scripture Focus
John 4:7-30; Acts 2:42, 11:19-23; 2 Timothy 2:1-7; 2 Corinthians 5:18-20
Concept
No matter what our circumstances or our stage in life, we will always have opportunities to minister to others.
Materials Needed
Whiteboard, colored markers
Connecting with the Scripture Topic
- Are you an alumnus of any schools, clubs, or associations? How do you stay connected to these organizations?
- “You can choose your friends, but you’re stuck with your family.” Have you heard this saying? When you consider yourself as a member of the family of God, what do you want others to know about your family? Go around the group and have each member name one aspect of your church that you want people to know about.
Sharing and Receiving Scripture
- Does the thought of being a lifelong member of an organization give you sense of security or cause you to panic? What do you have to know about a group before you will officially join it?
- Thought Questions
In the story of the woman at the well, what is most amazing to you about Jesus’ interaction with her?
- Jesus was more concerned with her salvation than about eating or drinking.
- Jesus knew things about this woman that only God could have known.
- Jesus easily turned an ordinary conversation to deep spiritual concepts.
- Jesus had no problem breaking social traditions to talk with a Samaritan woman.
- Witnessing was Jesus’ number-one priority in life.
- Other...
In Acts 11:19-23, why did the believers begin preaching to the Gentiles?
- God told them to.
- The Gentiles asked them to.
- Because of the recent persecution, they wanted to get more people on their side.
- They were following present truth.
- Many of them lived among Gentiles, so it wasn’t such a stretch to connect with them.
- Other...
In 1 Timothy 2:1-7, which of Paul’s points do you think is most relevant to witnessing today?
- A soldier’s commitment to duty
- An athlete’s dedication to compete according to the rules of the game
- A farmer’s hard-working lifestyle
- Paul’s appeal to be strong in grace
- Paul’s appeal to endure suffering and hardship
- Other...
When you consider 2 Corinthians 5:18-20, why should we be Christ’s ambassadors on earth?
- Since Jesus reconciled us to God, we have an obligation to help others receive this reconciliation.
- God can appeal to the world only through us.
- As Christians, we just naturally do what Christ does.
- With all we’ve been given and forgiven, it’s our natural response to grace.
- This is who we are, whether or not we choose to be.
- Other...
Applying the Message of Scripture
Gather in groups of two or three. Choose one of the following options and work on a solution. Then report back to your group when your facilitator says time is up.
- Option 1: As a general rule, what percentage of a Christian’s life should be involved in:
- active witnessing
- passive witnessing
- no witnessing
- Option 2: Is your congregation familiar with the concept of friendship evangelism? What can your group do to promote this through awareness and education? Designate someone to discuss this with your pastor and church leadership and make a plan.
- Option 3: On the whiteboard, sketch out six computer icons—three things that illustrate what children can do to witness for the Lord and three things seniors or shut-ins can do. See how many of your icons your group can identify.
Valuing Scripture in Your Life
- For the next three minutes, imagine your life after retirement. What do you really want to do for the Lord in your golden years? Dream big!
- At the end of three minutes, those who choose to may share their thoughts about Part A. Conclude with prayer.
Next Week’s Scripture Focus
Acts 16:9-40; 17:1-4, 12, 15; Jeremiah 23:1-6; Isaiah 9:1-7; Isaiah 53; Romans 1:16