Exploring Great Commission Living
Transcription
Exploring Great Commission Living
Exploring Great Commission Living A 50 Day Journey Sample Love Your Neighbor: Share Christ Fifty Days Forward Toward a Great Commission Church: Sermon Starters A Cooperative Program Ministry of the Baptist Convention of Maryland/Delaware Introduction “EXPLORING GREAT COMMISSION LIVING: A 50 DAY JOURNEY” “Exploring Great Commission Living” is a 50 day/seven-week/eight-Sunday Series centered around the expressions of a Great Commandment/Great Commission church as described in LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR - SHARE CHRIST. The 50 days include eight (8) Sermons matched with eight (8) Sunday School Lessons for an all-church focus over seven weeks. Sunday #1 begins the first week. Sunday #8 ends the seventh week - 50 days. There are many potential harvest efforts or events in which to apply the truths presented in “Exploring Great Commission Living.” These “Fifty Days” are designed as a practical intro into a special Harvest Effort and/or Event as part of the process of the Love Your Neighbor—Share Christ strategy for the local church. Here are some of the ideas for “how-to’s.” The Eight Sermons and Eight Sunday School/Small Group Lessons center around the Six Expressions of a Great Commandment - Great Commission church. The Core - The Foundation - Great Commandment - Love God - the Great Commission - Love People by Sharing Christ. Pray for the Lost Interact with, Enjoy, and Serve the Lost Evangelism Training/how-to’s Friendly-up the Church Bridging and Harvesting Efforts and/or Events Connecting and Deploying Disciples A Wrap up challenge of applying the Great Commandment and the Great Commission in all Six Expressions - Sunday eight. A possible challenge/call for week eight is an immediate Harvest effort/event already planned. It could include - prayer walks, children’s events, youth events, Senior adult events, special services, etc. It could be part of a seasonal event such as a Fall Festival or an Easter Outreach. There are Eight Sermon Outlines and Eight Sunday School Lessons available to help the pastor and the local church walk through these fifty days of “Great Commission Living.” Here are some examples of possible Sermon/Sunday School Lesson titles/ideas … Week 1 - The Great Connections - (with God, with others, with prayer - Great Commandment, Great Commission, Great Connection. Week 2 - Let Us Pray - Ways to Pray for the Lost We Know Week 3 - Let Me Help - Ways to Love and Serve those Lost around us Week 4 - My Story - How to share the Gospel with others Week 5 - How Friends Act - (and how that friendship looks in a church setting, church meetings, church life) Week 6 - Building Bridges - Ways to Connect individually, as a church, within the community Week 7 - Tell the World - The Baptism Connection, The Disciple on the Go Week 8 - Staying on the Journey - Six Expressions that Never Grow Old The issue is the central message within each expression of the Great Commandment/Great Commission. It is vital to note that this is not a temporary, one time “program,” but a process that continues - until the end of the age since it embodies New Testament Christianity. Rick Shepherd - 2011 Table of Contents ◊ Weekly Planning Guide ◊ Sunday School Lessons ◊ Sermon Starters ◊ Worship Set Suggestions ◊ Support Resources Week 8 Week 7 Week 6 Week 5 Lessons given to Sunday School Teachers or Small Group Leaders Week 4 Week 2 Week 3 Week 4 Week 5 Week 6 Week 7 Week 8 Planned Harvest Efforts and/or events Time --X-- Preparation and Planning Time Promotion Time Proclamation Time Preparation and promotion time may be Adjustable time according to the needs Sermons and Sunday School Lessons adjusted according to the needs of the individual and schedule of the church. church. Process in Gear Ongoing Prayer during the Eight Weeks Praying Prayer by individuals, classes, small groups, and ministry teams is needed as this for Series progresses. Direction, wisdom and creativity Sermon Series and Sunday School Lessons Start Week 3 Week 2 Week 1 Week 1 Prayer Preparation How long should this be? That is the “X” Factor for each church. Prayer preparation may be adjusted according to the needs and the burdens of the leadership and the people of the church. Pastor’s Leadership Team and Others praying Prayer Time for “X’ days or weeks X Weeks “X” Weeks Plus 8 Weeks Before, 8 Weeks of 50 Days, and “X” Weeks After Suggested Time Line for “Exploring Great Commission Living: A 50 Day Journey” SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSONS SAMPLE Love Your Neighbor - Share Christ Bible Study Lesson Five - Friendly Up the Church TEACHING PLAN Legend Actions necessary prior to teaching Say Proposed text to be spoken Activity Group or individual activity HO Handout to be used during lesson Concept Concept to be communicated Go! Assignment to be completed Prep Training Objectives: At the end of this lesson, the learners will: a. focus on the biblical call to demonstrate love and encouragement; b. discuss ways to Friendly Up the Church; c. actively model "Friendly Up the Church" actions prior to the next lesson. Agenda (60-75 Minutes) : Activity & Introduction {l0-l5 minutes} Biblical Foundations {30-35 minutes} Personal Application {20-25 minutes} Prep: Collect the following items prior to teaching this lesson: Pencils/pens Copies of Handout 5A, Handout 5B, and Handout 5C Enlist one person to share a two-minute testimony during the introduction of the lesson One piece of individually wrapped candy per person Copy of “If We Are the Body” by Casting Crowns (CD or uploaded on MP3 or IPod) MP3 player, IPod speaker system or CD player Prior to the arrival of the first participant, place the following on each table/chair: One copy of Handout 5A per person Once pencil/pen per person One Bible per group of 3-4 individuals Love Your Neighbor - Share Christ Bible study Lesson Five: Friendly Up the Church ACTIVITY & INTRODUCTION {l0-l5 minutes} SAs you find your seat, please locate Handout 5A and begin answering the questions. Please write your answers on the sheet and discuss your answers with your neighbors. Prep Activity (Allow no more than 10-15 minutes for this activity, including the time necessary for open large-group dialogue.) Today we will continue with our eight-week study "Love Your Neighbor - Share Christ." In fact, at the end of last week's lesson you were challenged to share your personal testimony with someone that had never heard your story before. Prep Would one or two of you be willing to share how this challenge touched your life this week? Activity "We Are His Hands" Illustration. l. Give a piece of wrapped candy to each person. 2. Explain that they are welcome to eat it, but they are not allowed to use their hands to unwrap or eat it. 3. After a minute or two, allow one person to use his/her hands. 4. Wait and see if that person will use their hands not only to eat their candy, but to help others as well. This illustration is called, "We Are His Hands." It demonstrates the truth that as believers we are called to be Jesus' hands to the world. How did you feel when you were told you could not use your hands? How did you feel when the one "handed" person helped or chose not to help you? Prep This week's lesson has a very unique title: "Friendly Up the Church." We are called to friendly up the church internally among members and externally to those without Christ. Love Your Neighbor-Share Christ Bible study Lesson Five: Friendly Up the Church BIBLICAL FOUNDATION {30-35 minutes} In order to "Friendly Up the Church" we must examine both our actions internally among believers and externally to those not yet a part of church. Prep Are you a Barnabas or a barnacle? When facing the storms of life, we all need encouragement. The word "encourage" means to inspire, spur on, or give help. The life of Barnabas is a great example of what it truly means to be an encourager. Concept Read Acts 4:36-37. Barnabas demonstrates that an encourager is one who: l. Sacrifices for others. [Acts 4:36-37] a. He sold property and gave the proceeds to Kingdom work. i. He put action to his encouragement. ii. A genuine encourager gives even when it comes at great personal cost. b. He is called "Son of Encouragement." i. What was it about his life that earned him this nickname? ii. He was no longer just plain old "Joe." 2. Seeks the best in others. [Acts 9:26-27] a. Saul was being shunned by others. i. Barnabas took Saul by the hand and testifies on his behalf. ii. Tells them about Saul's radical transformation. b. A true encourager sees the good in someone when others can not. i. He essentially said, "I believe in you." ii. How important was this in the life of Saul? 3. Is a positive spiritual influence on others. [Acts ll:22-24] a. Revival in the church at Antioch. i. "A large number who believed turned to the Lord." [Acts ll:2l] ii. "They sent Barnabas" Why? b. Barnabas' attributes revealed [verse 24]: i. "he was a good man" ii. "full of the Holy Spirit" iii. "and of faith" c. Barnabas did more than bring positive words. i. "considerable numbers were brought to the Lord." [verse 24] ii. His encouragement unashamedly moved into the spiritual realm. iii. A spirit-led follower brings the spiritual aspect into daily life. 4. Works for the success of others. [Acts ll:25-26] a. Barnabas reconnects with Saul. [verse 26] i. Trains him to be a leader. ii. Saul (Paul) becomes a true leader. [Acts l3:42,43,46,50) b. An encourager is humble. i. Even if they take a secondary role: "Paul and Barnabas" [Acts l3] ii. Encouragers are overjoyed when others succeed. 5. Is slow to judge others. [Acts l5:36-39] a. Barnabas gave John Mark a second chance. i. He refused to label Mark as a quitter. i. Remained faithful to John Mark in the midst of conflict: "there arose a sharp disagreement" [verse 39] b. John Mark becomes a faithful follower. i. John Mark becomes the writer of the Gospel of Mark. ii. Paul changes his attitude toward Mark: "Pick up Mark and bring him with you, for he is useful to me for service." [2 Timothy 4:ll] You can choose to be a Barnabas (as described above) or a barnacle. l. A barnacle is a crustacean that lives affixed to rocks or boat hulls. a. Are a detriment to a boat or ship: slow it down, harmful if not removed. b. Water vessels must be "dry-docked" periodically to remove. 2. Ananias: A biblical example of a barnacle. [Acts 5:l-5] a. As with Barnabas {Acts 4], Ananias sold some property and brought money to the apostles. b. He lied to church leaders; set out to make himself look good. c. Like a barnacle, he was removed. [Acts 5:5] Love Demonstrated. Read l John 3:l6-l8. An example to model and reject. l. Jesus modeled pure, perfect love. a. His love was voluntary, "He laid down His life for us." b. His love was vicarious (in place of), "His life for us." c. His love was victorious, final victory over sin and hell. 2. An example to reject (verses l7-l8). a. Love is a verb. i. Love is an active word. ii. Spirit-filled love leads to loving actions. b. Failure to love reveals a problem. i. A heart problem, "closes his heart." ii. "How does the love of God abide in him?" Read l John 4:l9-2l. Love motivated, demonstrated, and inaugurated by God. l. Love motivated by God. a. "We love because He first loved us." b. His love motivates us to love others. 2. Love demonstrated by God. a. God demonstrated the greatest love the world has ever known b. How can we not demonstrate this love to others? (Verses 20-2l) 3. Love inaugurated by God. a. Inaugurate: "to bring about the beginning of." b. Loving God and loving others was His idea from the beginning. Concept Love Your Neighbor-Share Christ Bible Study Lesson Five: Friendly Up the Church SERMON OUTLINES SAMPLE PERSONAL APPLICATION {20-25 minutes} We have just studied from Scripture the importance of demonstrating love in our lives and being an encourager rather than a barnacle. Loving and encouraging others will allow us to "Friendly Up the Church." Prep But, it is not always easy. In 2003, the Christian musical group Casting Crowns released the hit song "lf We Are the Body." Listen to the words of this song. (Play "If We Are the Body" on your MP3, IPod, or CD player.) Activity Prep The chorus of the song says: "But if we are the body Why aren't His arms reaching? Why aren't His hands healing? Why aren't His words teaching? And if we are the body Why aren't His feet going? Why is His love not showing them there is a way? There is way" This is a very disturbing song. It paints a picture of the church that is not friendly, both to believers and non-believers. Let's discuss ways we can "Friendly Up the Church." Concept Give each participant a copy of Handout 5B. You have a copy of Handout 5B. Form groups of 3 or 4 individuals and allow Handout 5B to guide your discussion. You only have 5 minutes for this activity, so please do not linger on any one question. Prep (Allow 5 minutes for work on Handout 5B). Prep : Let's take a few minutes to discuss what you discovered in your groups. (Allow 3-5 minutes for the discussion of Handout 5B). Go! Give each participant a copy of Handout 5C. Before we leave, I would like to challenge you to put "Friendly Up the Church" to work in your personal life this week. Let's explore a few ways you can begin applying the principles of today's lesson. Prep Prior to our next meeting, please attempt to complete one or more of the activities listed. As it says at the bottom of the page, "Please make this a matter of high priority. Be prepared to share the results of your efforts at our next session." Love Your Neighbor-Share Christ Bible study Lesson Five: Friendly Up the Church Before we leave, please reform your small groups of 3-4 and pray. Pray for opportunities to share your personal testimony this week. Pray for those in your group. Pray that each of you will accept the challenge to "Friendly Up the Church" this week. Love Your Neighbor-Share Christ Bible Study Lesson Five: Friendly Up the Church Love Your Neighbor - Share Christ Bible Study Lesson Five - Friendly Up the Church Handout 5A l. Either during our last class or since our last class you probably wrote your personal testimony. Was writing your testimony an easy or difficult assignment? Why? 2. Since our last class, did you accept the challenge and share your testimony with someone who had never heard your personal testimony before? If you did, describe the experience. If you did not share your testimony this week, describe why. Take a moment to pray for opportunities to share this week. Love Your Neighbor-Share Christ Bible Study Lesson Five: Friendly Up the Church Love Your Neighbor - Share Christ Bible Study Lesson Five - Friendly Up the Church Handout 5B In most homes, when guests are anticipated, certain things are done to prepare for the visit. Discuss some things most folks do when guests are expected. If your class or church expects new people every week, what are some things you need to do BEFORE, DURING, and AFTER people visit? What is required of our group or church to insure that each person, member or guest, receives the care they need? The people of our community will seldom listen to what we want to share until we first show them that we care. How can we individually and/or as a class demonstrate that we care? Love Your Neighbor-Share Christ Bible Study Lesson Five: Friendly Up the Church Love Your Neighbor - Share Christ Bible Study Lesson Five - Friendly Up the Church Handout 5C This week's challenge... Prior to the next session, "Friendly Up the Church" (friendly up your life) by participating in one or more of the following activities (individually or in a small group): Showing Mercy [compassionate treatment of those in distress (believers or non-believers)] Relationship Building [strengthening points of connection with others (believers or non-believers)] Loving Actions [performing acts of kindness towards believers or non-believers] → Please make this a matter of high priority. Be prepared to share the results of your efforts at our next session. Love Your Neighbor-Share Christ Bible study Lesson Five: Friendly Up the Church SERMON OUTLINES SAMPLE Table of Contents 0 Week One - The Great Connections 0 Week Two - Let Us Pray 0 Week Three - Let Me Help 0 Week Four - My Story 0 Week Five - How Friends Act 0 Week Six - Building Bridges 0 Week Seven - Tell the World 0 Week Eight - Staying Like We Started Week 5 - How FriendsAct Suggested Sermon James 2: 14-24 Characteristics of a Friend of God I. A Friend of God Trusts Jesus Alone for Salvation (v. 14) True faith in Jesus shows in the "works"-the works of His heart at work in and through me - and those works come out of that faith. l will treat Jesus and others differently. II. A Friend of God Cares for the Poor (vs 15 and 16) Jesus cares for others and He will lead me to care in a variety of ways. III. A Friend of God Honors the Lord with His Money (v. 16) Because Jesus is Lord over me and all l possess (all comes from Him), He will guide me in giving and showing genuine friendliness as l am willing to be guided. IV. A Friend of God Studies His Bible (vs. 18 and 19) The Bible is God's Book. lt shows me Who God is and How God acts and leads me in following Him in God-directed works. My belief in God and in His Word can lead me to the faith-works God has planned for me to do. The more l know His Word, the better l know His heart, and the clearer l can know and do His will. V. A Friend of God has a Faith that is Visible as Well as Verbal (vs. 20-24) Like Abraham, the Friend of God, l can show the kind of faith in God l have by the kind of works l do. The works do not make me right with God, but show that l have already connected to God by faith. The works come from that connection. Rahab showed this to be true in her life. The way l treat God and others, shows the kind of faith l have. Is it true faith or fake faith? Every local church body should show the kind of friendship we have with God by how we treat one another and how we show friendliness to those who come into our midst. Worship Set Lists How to access these music resources: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. Go to www.lifewayworship.com Register for free Click the SEARCH BUTTON Type title in the FIND MUSIC window under SEARCH RESULTS exercise options to PLAY demo, PREVIEW music, or PURCHASE To PURCHASE you will need your LifeWay account number and pin, or a credit card. FYI - most HYMN titles are available in TRADITIONAL and CONTEMPORARY arrangements GC2 Hymns All That Thrills My Soul Is Jesus At Calvary I Love to Tell the Story I Stand Amazed in the Presence Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee Worship Songs Because of Your Love Love the Lord Made to Worship Who Can Satisfy My Soul? Your Love, Oh Lord PRAYER Hymns Brethren, We Have Met to Worship Have Thine Own Way, Lord Higher Ground Here I Am, Send Me If My People Will Pray Worship Songs Consuming Fire Hear Our Praises If We’ve Ever Needed You Touching Heaven, Changing Earth Until The Whole World Hears ENJOY & SHARE Hymns He Lives Rise Up, O Men of God Serve the Lord with Gladness Stand Up, Stand Up for Jesus Victory in Jesus Worship Songs I Will Follow I Will Not Forget You Love the Lord Salt and Light We Will Remember EVANGELISM TRAINING Hymns Amazing Grace Blessed Assurance I Love to Tell the Story Redeemed Since Jesus Came Into My Heart Worship Songs Amazing Grace (My Chains are Gone) LifeSong Missions Flame Salvation is Here Shout to the North Worship Set Lists FRIENDLY UP THE CHURCH Hymns Come, Christians, Join to Sing Higher Ground Leaning on the Everlasting Arms Trust and Obey When We All Get to Heaven Worship Songs Children of God Fields of Grace Friend of God Hear our Praises Holy Is the Lord BRIDING & HARVESTING EFFORTS Hymns God of Every Generation (Contemporary Hymn) Great Is Thy Faithfulness Jesus Is All the World to Me The Wonder Of it All Wonderful Grace of Jesus Worship Songs A New Hallelujah Days of Elijah God of this City If We’ve Ever Needed You To Know You CONNECTING & DEPLOYING DISCIPLES Hymns Because He Lives Footsteps of Jesus I Have Decided To God Be the Glory Wherever he Leads I’ll Go Worship Songs Christ Is Able to Save Leave Everything Behind Let the Worshippers Arise Rescue You Alone Can Rescue GC2 Hymns All Hail the Power of Jesus Name Holy, Holy, Holy Love Lifted Me Revive us Again Worthy of Worship Worship Songs God of Every Generation Nothing but the Blood Mighty to Save Our God Saves Your Grace Is Enough Love Your Neighbor: Share Christ Baptist Convention of Maryland/Delaware 10255 Old Columbia Rd. Columbia, MD 21046 www.bcmd.org/loveyourneighbor