Sunday, February 14 - Una Baptist Church

Una Baptist GROW Discussion Study Guide For the Week of Feb. 14, 2015
Another Look at “Loving Your Church by Being Salt & Light”
Matthew 5:14, 16 (NLT)
14
“You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden.
all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.
16
‘I Love My Church’ Series
In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for
(full focal passage used was Mat. 5:13-16)
MAIN POINT
For His Church to be the Salt and Light that our world desperately needs,
we need to Share our Faith with others.
REFLECTING (on Sunday’s sermon)
 Opening Question? How and when did you first hear the Good News of Jesus Christ? (Share w/others)
Personal Notes

Salt: Flavoring our World for the Kingdom of God, Col. 4:6

Light: Giving the Light of Jesus to a Darkened World, Psalm 119:105

Living It Out: Sharing Your Faith with Others, Mat. 5:16
Remember: “There is nothing like the local church when the local church is working right!
It transforms lives, heart by heart… soul by soul… life by life.”
- Bill Hybels, http://www.billhybels.org/
 When was the last time you personally remember sharing your faith with someone else?
 When feeling led by the Holy Spirit, what is your greatest anxiety or fear when sharing your faith with someone else?
MORE DIGGING
Looking at other Scriptures urging us to be a Witness for Christ
John 3:7 (NIV) 7 You should not be surprised at my saying, 'You must be born again.'
John 14:6 (NIV) 6 Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
Jn 14:6 Word Study: No one. Singular form of οὐδεὶς, transliteration: oudeis; not even one (man, woman or thing), i.e.
none, nobody, nothing
- Strong's Talking Greek & Hebrew Dictionary
 What objections do many in society have about Jesus as the ‘only way’ to Eternal Life in Heaven?
Why?
Isaiah 43:10-11 (NIV) 10 "You are my witnesses," declares the LORD, "and my servant whom I have chosen, so that you may
know and believe me and understand that I am he. Before me no god was formed, nor will there be one after me.
am the LORD, and apart from me there is no savior.
11
I, even I,
43:10-12 God called on His people, whom He identified as His servant, to be His witnesses. The calling of witnesses associates
this passage with the courtroom. Not only is God better than the foreign gods, those gods do not exist at all. The nations were
silent when asked to witness to their gods' work in their lives. God's people functioned as God's witness to the fact that He
Una Baptist Church
1931 Murfreesboro Road
Nashville, TN 37217
Phone: 615-361-5775
Fax: 615-361-5732
E-mail: [email protected]
Una Baptist GROW Study Guide
February 14, 2016 — PAGE 2
Loving Your Church by Being Salt & Light
Matthew 5:14, 16 (NLT) 14 “You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden.
to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.
DIGGING DEEPER CONTINUED
16
In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all
Still Looking at other Scriptures urging us to be a Witness for Christ
Romans 10:14-15 (NLT) 14 But how can they call on him to save them unless they believe in him? And how can they believe in him if
they have never heard about him? And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them? 15 And how will anyone go and
tell them without being sent? That is why the Scriptures say, “How beautiful are the feet of messengers who bring good news!”
Isaiah 52:7 (NLT) 7 How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of the messenger who brings good news, the good news of peace
and salvation, the news that the God of Israel reigns!
Matthew 18:12-14 (NIV) 12 "What do you think? If a man owns a hundred sheep, and one of them wanders away, will he not leave
the ninety-nine on the hills and go to look for the one that wandered off? 13 And if he finds it, I tell you the truth, he is happier
about that one sheep than about the ninety-nine that did not wander off. 14 In the same way your Father in heaven is not willing
that any of these little ones should be lost.
How desperate are you to seek out those you know that are likely lost and share the Good News (See also Luke 19:10)?
Mark 16:15-16 (NLT) 15 And then he told them, “Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone. 16 Anyone who
believes and is baptized will be saved. But anyone who refuses to believe will be condemned.
Acts 1:8 (NIV) 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."
According to the International Mission Board’s Global Research Department, there are 6,789 unengaged ‘people groups’
where Evangelical Christians comprise less than 2% of the total population. There are 3,079 ‘unreached people groups’
not engaged by anyone.
- http://public.imb.org/globalresearch/Pages/default.aspx
APPLICATION
The best way to personalize the Gospel to others is to share your Salvation Testimony. Take the time to:
(1) Develop a 2-4 minute Testimony (outline or write it out to help you remember key talking points).
- Remember to share how you realized you was lost and needed a savior.
(2) Share your testimony with at least 1 other person (as practice) and ask if it is clear to listener. Revise if helpful.
Pray for sensitivity and an opportunity to share the Gospel every day for the next 7 days.
(IE. Your Salvation testimony or a Gospel Presentation such as The Bridge, 3 Circles (see below), etc.)
Write the name of one local person that you know that may not have a personal relationship with Christ. ______________
When will you make time to watch and familiarize yourself with the 3 Circles method of sharing the Gospel*? __________
https://player.vimeo.com/video/96082853
Introduction by Jimmy Scroggins, a pastor in Florida 1:46
https://player.vimeo.com/video/97258323
3 Circles presentation (simple paper presentation)
2:56
* A printed Life Conversation Guide is available from your GROW Group leader or from Bro. Mark
PRAY
Dear Lord, Thank you for loving me so much that you sent your only Son to die for me. Please help me to Live Out My Faith. Give
me opportunities and courage to share the Good News of Jesus Christ with someone that I know and/or meet this week.
Una Baptist Church
1931 Murfreesboro Road
Nashville, TN 37217
Phone: 615-361-5775
Fax: 615-361-5732
E-mail: [email protected]
Una Baptist GROW Study Guide — Leader Helps
February 14, 2016 — PAGE 3
Loving Your Church by Being Salt & Light
Matthew 5:14, 16 (NLT) 14 “You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden.
to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.
16
In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all
STUDY HELPS AND COMMENTARY
Note: This week, we ask you to allow 10 minutes near the end (but before prayer) to share a new method of Evangelism from NAMB as an
encouragement and equipping tool. See links on back side and distribute LIFE Conversation Guides afterwards. Thanks, Bro. Mark
RE: Isaiah 43:10-11 — EVANGELISM, Personal —Witnesses declare what God has done. This requires study and sensitivity
to all God has revealed in His Word, in history, and in one's daily life. Witnessing is the believer’s essential task.
- Disciple's Study Bible
RE: Romans 10:14 — πω̑ς ουν ἐπικαλέσωνται εἰς ὃν οὐκ ἐπίστευσαν; “how therefore shall they call on him in whom they
have not believed?” For πω̑ς in rhetorical questions, which call an assumption into question or reject it altogether,
inviting the response “It is impossible,” Compare Romans 3:6; 6:2.
- Word Biblical Commentary
RE: Matthew 18:12-14 - Faith does not make you or me great. But responding to Jesus' call to care about His little ones who
stray does. Caring enough to greet them with joy rather than recrimination, with love rather than condemnation.
- The Teacher's Commentary
ILLUSTRATION(S) or INSIGHTFUL QUOTES
People are no less lost now than they have ever been, and Jesus is no less Lord now than He will ever be.
– Hershael York, The Only Decision That Matters, www.ChurchLeaders.com
If you want your neighbor to know what Christ will do for him, let the neighbor see what Christ has done for you.
- Henry Ward Beecher (1813-1887), Draper's Book of Quotations for the Christian World
Paul Little in his book "How to Give Away Your Faith" defines witnessing:
"Witnessing is that deep-seated conviction that the greatest favor I can do for others is to introduce them to Jesus Christ."
Being an extrovert isn't essential to evangelism—obedience and love are.
- Rebecca Manley Pippert, Draper's Book of Quotations for the Christian World
When the Titanic went under, three messages had been sent that said to watch out for the icebergs. Because everything looked all
right, the folks taking the message never passed it on. They never sent the warning out to people who needed to hear and, as a result,
over fifteen hundred people lost their lives. The folks who knew kept quiet.
Another tragedy of the Titanic was that the lifeboats, designed to carry people away from the sinking ship, were only half full. People
who had made it to safety in the lifeboats didn't want to turn around and go pick up people who were dying. They didn't want to take the
risk of panicking people flipping over their boat. So the people who were saved and safe kept on going. Fifteen hundred people didn't
have to die, but they did. The folks who were saved didn't want to go back because it was risky.
Sharing the gospel has risks—the risk of rejection, the risk of being made fun of, the risk of being called "holier than thou," the risk
of being called "Reverend," the risk of being avoided, the risk of being asked questions you don't know the answer to. Yes, there are
risks, but when someone is dying, offering them the gift of salvation is worth the risk.
- Tony Evans' Book of Illustrations: Stories, Quotes, and Anecdotes from More than 30 Years of Preaching and Public Speaking
Show me that you are redeemed, and I will believe in your Redeemer.
- German Philosopher Friedrich Wilhelm Nietzsche (1844-1900),
(note: widely quoted for saying “God is dead.”), Draper's Book of Quotations for the Christian World
Christians and non-Christians have something in common: We're both uptight about evangelism.
- Rebecca Manley Pippert, Draper's Book of Quotations for the Christian World
Una Baptist Church
1931 Murfreesboro Road
Nashville, TN 37217
Phone: 615-361-5775
Fax: 615-361-5732
E-mail: [email protected]
Una Baptist GROW Study Guide — Leader Helps
February 14, 2016 — PAGE 4
Loving Your Church by Being Salt & Light
Matthew 5:14, 16 (NLT) 14 “You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden.
to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.
16
In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all
FURTHER STUDY Continued
Angels cannot preach the gospel, only beings such as Paul and you and I can preach the gospel.
- Oswald Chambers (1874-1917), Draper's Book of Quotations for the Christian World
The Gospel was not to be immediately declared by the voice of God from heaven, or by the Holy Ghost speaking
without a medium of communication, or by angels sent from heaven; it was to be carried over the world by men.
- Robert Haldane, Exposition of the Epistle to the Romans
Read the Parables in Luke 15, focusing on the Heavenly Celebration when someone who was lost is found...
Luke 15:7 (NIV) 7 I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than
over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.
vs. 10 (NIV) 10 In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.
Luke 15:22-24, 32 (NIV) 22 "But the father said to his servants, 'Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his
finger and sandals on his feet. 23 Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let's have a feast and celebrate. 24 For this son of
mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.' So they began to celebrate... 32 But we had to celebrate
and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.'"
With 10 minutes near the end (but before prayer), share this newer method of Evangelism from NAMB as an encouragement/equipping tool.
http://lifeonmissionbook.com/conversation-guide
https://player.vimeo.com/video/96082853
https://player.vimeo.com/video/97258323
Web-based Launch Point
Introduction by Jimmy Scroggins, pastor
Simple Presentation sample (written on paper)
1:46
2:56
* Printed Life Conversation Guides should have been given to group leaders to distribute after viewing Vimeo video links above.
ADDITIONAL SCRIPTURES AVAILABLE TO STUDY
Luke 10:2-3 (NIV) 2 He told them, "The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest,
therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field. 3 Go! I am sending you out like lambs among wolves.
Gal. 1:11 (NIV) 11 I want you to know, brothers, that the gospel I preached is not something that man made up.
John 4:39-41 (NIV) 39 Many of the Samaritans from that town believed in him because of the woman's testimony, "He told
me everything I ever did." 40 So when the Samaritans came to him, they urged him to stay with them, and he stayed
two days. 41 And because of his words many more became believers.
1 Peter 3:15 (NIV) 15 But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks
you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect,
Jn 1:41-42 (NIV) 41 The first thing Andrew did was to find his brother Simon and tell him, "We have found the Messiah" (that is, the Christ). 42 And he
brought him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said, "You are Simon son of John. You will be called Cephas" (which, when translated, is Peter).
Read or Remember Matthew 28:17-20 and note: The very first step of becoming a Disciple is Salvation.
Matthew 9:12-13
Matthew 10:32-33
2 Timothy 4:5
Remember to PRAY Together: Dear Lord, Thank you for loving me so much that you sent your only Son to die for me. Please help me to Live Out My
Faith. Give me opportunities and courage to share the Good News of Jesus Christ with someone that I know and/or meet this week.
Una Baptist Church
1931 Murfreesboro Road
Nashville, TN 37217
Phone: 615-361-5775
Fax: 615-361-5732
E-mail: [email protected]