Evangelism & Service

Evangelism & Service

Last Week

We talked about Devotions and Worship.  We talked about the discipline it takes to have a daily quiet time with God.  We talked about how, when and what sources to use in your devotion time.

We also talked about Worship and how it is displaying the worth and value of God.  We discussed the many different forms of worship.  Displaying the worth and value of God should not be taken lightly; empty worship is worse than no worship.

Evangelism:

1.      Evangelism is practiced in many different ways; preaching, drama, music, TV programs, posters, tee shirts, bumper stickers, etc.  Basically Evangelism is communication of the gospel to the unsaved by whatever means necessary.

2.      All believers are responsible for telling the good news of Jesus Christ to others. 

o   Is this easy or hard to do?

o   Many are intimidated and uncomfortable speaking publically about their faith.

Difficulties with Evangelism:

1.      Fear largely prohibits Christians from carrying out their responsibility of telling others about Christ.  Fear of rejection, of appearing foolish, of losing popularity or friends and of failure.

2.      Some people think that advanced theological training is necessary to witness to others.  Some associate evangelism with certain methods that they find uncomfortable.

3.      Some find it difficult to express their faith clearly, to tell someone exactly how to know Christ.

4.      One major deterrence is fear of failure or repeating failure.  Someone may have been embarrassed or humiliated through a perceived failure and find it very hard to “get back on the horse.”

Service:   

1.      Many aspects of the Christian life revolve around serving the Lord in some capacity within the church.  Service for God many times takes the back seat to service for self.

2.      Can you casually serve God?

o   You cannot be uncommitted in your service for God.

o   Service costs time, talents, money and in some cases one’s earthly life.

o   Service should be a very high priority.  God does not want our leftovers.

3.      Service should begin within your local church.  What are some areas in your church that YOU can serve?

o   Usher, SS Teacher or helper, Greeters, Store House, Operation Christmas Child, VBS, RA’s & GA’s, speaking, singing, choir, nursery, office work among many other things.

4.      Service is HARD work!

o   Whatever service you choose is going to take time and dedication with very little, if any recognition.  You must have faith that your labor is not in vain, God gets the glory not you.

o   God sees and knows your service.  God does not forget our labor and will reward you for your service.

o   Ministry & Service will bring a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction that those who don’t serve will never know or understand.  Doing God’s work IS EXCITING.

5.      Reasons God Expects Believers to Serve:

o   To be Obedient - 1 John 2:3 (1480)

o   To express gratitude for what God has done – 1 Samuel 12:24 (346)

o   To answer God’s invitation – Isaiah 6:8 (810)

o   To follow the example of Jesus – John 13:12-14 (1239)

o   To express godly love for others – Galatians 5:13 (1372)

Believers must discipline themselves to participate in the service opportunities that are available to them.  The primary place for such service is through your local church.  Service is hard work without immediate rewards but God promises GREAT eternal rewards for those who faithfully serve.  Our lives on Earth are far too short to miss out on God’s Eternal rewards.

Devotions & Worship

Disciplines of the Chrisitian Life:

Devotions and Worship

The goal of a follower, or disciple, is to become more like the person being followed. Therefore, as Christ’s disciples we should work to become more like him. There are a few basic disciplines that lead us toward spiritual maturity in our walk with Christ. In the next two weeks we’ll be going over some of the essential training that should be a part of your daily walk with Christ.

Devotions (also called quiet time)

·         Devotions are a discipline because they require time and effort (to do and to remain engaged).

·         What ought a devotion to include?

Bible reading

1.      Determine a specific time and place. Make sure your spot is free from distractions.

2.      Begin with prayer. Ask God to help you understand the meaning of the passage and how it can apply to your life.

3.      Read according to a plan or schedule—well, not always.

§  Suggestions:

·         Start in Genesis, Job, or Matthew

·         Use an EC, Journey, Stand Firm

·         There’s an APP for that. J

4.      Read a portion that’s comfortable for you, maybe 1-3 chapters. Don’t feel like you have the finish the book in one session!

5.      Take notes as you read—well, maybe you’re a note taker, maybe you’re not.

§  Find one thing you can get out of it.

§  Highlight/underline important verses.

§  Write down questions and comments to study further or discuss with someone else.

§  Note verses you’d like to memorize.

Prayer

1.      We already discussed the discipline of prayer. Remember:

a.       To approach prayer cognizant of whom you’re speaking with but remember He’s your friend.

b.      To pray continually (anytime, any place, any length).

c.       To check your motives. He already knows where your heart is; he just wants you to open it to Him.

2.      Use the ACT format:

Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, and Supplication

3.      Start a prayer list. White board by your door—pray when entering, leaving, and everytime you pass it in between.

Worship

Worship Explained

·         What is worship? Focusing on and responding to God.

·         Worship is the act of displaying the worth or value of someone or something.

·         Any activity whereby believers display the worth or value of God.

·         Worship is the “boiling over” of a heart filled with praise and adoration for who God is and what he has done.

o   Psalm 95:6—O come… you are invited, never forced.

o   John 9:37-37—I believe! And he worshiped him… as our testimony.

o   Matthew 4:10—Serve only Him… our devotion.

·         Worship isn’t about US at all! Most people focus on getting something out of the worship service. Instead, we should come with the intention of giving our worship to God.

Worship Expressed

·         How can we worship?

·         Most people think of Sunday morning service when they think of worship. This is an important time because the primary purpose of a meeting church is to worship God.

·         However, a church can worship by preaching, singing, giving, praying, and serving.

·         We do worship independently and personally (Luke 5:16, Jesus often withdrew to the wilderness for prayer).

·         Whatever means we use to worship God, it must be done according to John 4:24.

Remember, worship is DEFILED when it is casual or lax. Empty worship is worse than no worship at all. The form of worship and the attitude of the worshiper are equally important.

What does a disciple look like?

What does a disciple look like?

Characteristics of a Disciple

·         Last week:

o   A disciple is a follower; all Christians are disciples of Christ (not “super” believers).

o   Being a disciple means we learn from Him, adopt His values, and obey His commands. This is a daily process; however, it should be our life’s goal!

o   Phillipians 3:10, know/experience/share the good and the bad

o   Believers are called to be disciples and make disciples (Mark 1:17).

So what does a disciple look like? His word describes it best (lots of verses)…

·         Someone that professes Christ publicly.

o   Matthew 10:32-33

o   Many believers today are Christians “in camouflage”—nothing about them marks them as followers of Christ. Aren’t we all camouflage Christians at some point? How can being a camouflage Christian hurt your witness (your public profession of faith)?

·         Someone that counts the cost and leaves it all.

o   What are the benefits of being a Christian?

o   What’s the cost? Sure Heaven is a wonderful promise, but what about the sacrifices and costs of calling yourself a Christian?

o   Luke 14:33

o   The costs are extremely high; He requires everything—possessions, plans, relationships, family…

o   When you become a believer/disciple, you release all claims over your former life.

o   Last week: Freedom as a disciple

§  Only when we deny ourselves are we able to enjoy the abundant life God’s promised each of us.

·         Someone that practices self-denial.

o   Mark 8:34-35

o   We often think of “bearing crosses” as physical problems, annoying family members J, or other pain/discomforts. But Christ is literally talking about our lives.

o   Thankfully, living in a democratic society means we probably won’t endure much persecution. But it happens everyday.

o   A disciple “takes up the cross” when he puts his own desires and plans to death and begins to live for Christ.

o   2 Corinthians 5:15 (no longer live to please themselves…)

o   Galatians 2:20 (I am crucified with Christ…)

Who can’t be a disciple? The rich young ruler (Luke 18:22-23).

Discipleship isn’t for sissies or slackers J. Many people are not willing to embrace the requirements and sacrifices that Christ calls for. What kind of disciple are you? What characteristics are your strongest? Your weakest?

What is a Disciple?

What is a disciple?

·         Introduction

o   Discipleship and discipline are key terms when discussing the definition of a disciple.

o   When you think of the word disciple, who comes to mind? (12 disciples, followers of Christ)

o   What is discipline mean to you?

o   What does discipleship mean to you?

·         The Value of Spiritual Discipline: Why It’s Important

o   Read 1 Timothy 4:7-8 (page 1416).

o   Who do you know that you would consider a disciple?

o   Why do you think you have to be disciplined to be spiritually mature?

o   Why do we neglect to have spiritual discipline?

o   We don’t do it by ourselves. Two way street.

·         The Danger of Neglecting Spiritual Discipline

o   What is the danger in neglecting spiritual discipline?

o   Read 1 Corinthians 12:4-7 (page 1339).

o   What are some opportunities that you might have to use your spiritual gift?

·         Freedom Gained through Spiritual Discipline

o   What did you want to be growing up?

o   How did/do you plan on reaching that goal?

o   How does discipline lead to spiritual freedom?

·         Misunderstanding Discipleship

o   Review definition of discipleship (#3).

o   Is there a difference between a Christian and a disciple?

·         The Imperative of Discipleship: It’s a MUST

o   Why does God command us to teach others what He has taught us?

·         Conclusion

Prayer

I will be posting the notes that Heath and I create for our lessons. I will also try and post links to videos, websites, or other cool stuff we use or come across. Our lesson on Prayer was from our first Sunday, July 2nd.

Prayer

When YOU pray do you honestly believe that anything is going to change?

Why Pray

·         God loves the prayers of imperfect people, people, who know they’ve done wrong, who know they are helpless on their own, who reach out to God, who know they need him.

·         Wandering Minds – Why does it seem that we can stay focused on Work, School, Family, Etc. but prayer with the Creator of the Universe seems boring?  When you pray do you realize who you are talking too?  I think if we truly thought and felt we were having a conversation with the Creator of the Heavens and the Earth we would be more excited.

·         Praying as if God were our Friend – How many of you talk to a close friend every day?  If that conversation with your friend was a boring, one way and meaningless conversation do you think that friend would want to talk to you much after that?  God longs to hear from us every day and to hear everything that goes on in our lives.

·         Is God listening?

·         Read the top of pg 80.  Talk about how God’s answers come in many different forms. 

Honest Communication

·         Pray whatever is on you mind.  It is nice to have someone that you can just talk to about anything.  You can tell them how great your day was or even how bad it was.  You can ask them for help and advice.  God wants to be that person for each and every one of us. 

·         Don’t wear masks when talking to God.  God wants to hear from YOU and about YOU.  He does not want to hear how fancy you can talk to him.  Read Matthew 6: 5-8 put emphasis on verse 8.

·         Are we always happy with God?  Does God want to hear from us when we are unhappy with him?

·         Read the bottom of pg 81, about child telling Father he is afraid of the dark.

·         Why do we think that the fancy, long and repeating prayers are what God wants to hear?

Constant/ Two Way Communication

·         Are our Prayers long enough?  God commands us to pray continually which does not mean longer prayers but maybe just more often.  If you have something that you are not sure of say a quick prayer asking for guidance.  It does not have to be long, simply ask “God give me guidance”.  Remember he KNOWS what is going on in our lives he just wants you to ask or tell him for yourself.

·         God desperately wants to hear from us but even more than that we NEED God and his guidance.  We need to hear from God.  “Frequent, honest prayers open our hearts and minds to God.”  The more you talk to God the more you have a “God Conscience”.  Your heart, soul and mind are going to be more open to God and what he has to tell you. 

·         How does God communicate to you?  Pg 83  God has many forms of answering us we just have to be listening. 

Unanswered and Answered Prayers

·         Does God always answer our Prayers?

·         We tend to believe that what we want is what we need but God’s Will is not always what we want and our feelings get hurt sometimes when that happens.

·         Does how we live and our relationships with others affect our prayers to God?  Micah 3:4 pg1042 in Bible.  Read Mark 11:24-25 pg 1155 in bible

·         Do your Motives matter when you pray?  Read James 4: 1-3 pg 1460  Do we pray to communicate personally to God or do we pray so that others will see us and do it for our own glory? 

·         Are our prayers Self Centered?  Do we pray to God asking him for things that we want or do we pray to God in hopes to truly hear from him so that we can follow through with HIS plan no matter where it may lead.  We need to remember that our lives here on earth are merely a vapor and I think that God communicates to us more on that regard, preparing for eternity, rather than what is going on in our earthly lives.  The things that we pray for in our earthly lives may very well be or seem valid to us but are we focusing on what we want or are we dropping to our knees and telling God here I am, I am here to serve you God, to do YOUR will, use me God to serve YOU.

·         The Effectiveness of our prayers are often tied to the holiness of our lives and the faith we show. Read James 5:16 pg 1462,  Psalm 34:15 pg677, James 1: 5-8,

·         Faith like a child.

·         God’s Will

·         Does God always Answer our prayers the way we expect.  Pg 88, 89

Many Christians today don’t pray regularly for many different reasons but the sooner we realize the God of the Universe WANTS to hear from you and to talk to YOU the better off you will be.  God does answer prayers; it just may not always be the answer that we want to hear.  We may not think that God is answering but usually it is because we are so wrapped up in ourselves and what WE want from God that we may not hear him.  Build your relationship with God, talk to him Honestly and Often and you will be amazed at what you will get from GOD.

Newbies

There's a first time for everything... and this is certainly a first for us.

While we've been involved in church most our lives, we've never stepped out and taken on a role like this. Being Sunday school teachers is something that we had talked about, but never imagined it would happen so soon. But then again, isn't the Lord's timing usually different than our own?

I would like to say thanks for being a part of our group. If you're away at college or just visiting the page, thanks for stopping by! My hope is that this blog would allow you to be plugged into our Sunday school group on a greater level, even if you are a regular attender. Please feel free to email me with questions, comments, prayer requests, or things you'd like to see added to the page. This page is for you all!

I struggled to decide upon a name for our blog because I really wanted it to be something catchy and thought provoking. And so I happened upon Ephesians 3:20... Sunday school is about discipleship, and through discipleship He reveals himself and His power to us... and promises to do infinitely more than we could ever imagine. Can you imagine?

That all being said, I want to remind you that Heath and I are just regular folks. We love the Lord and our family and work hard, and I promise you--all of what we bring to you hits home at our house in some way. We are certainly not perfect, but we don't have to be--because He IS (hence 2 Corinthians 12:9).

So, thanks for the opportunity to serve you. May God receive all of the honor and glory.