REACHING OUT TOGETHER

40 Days of Community – Part 2                           February 13, 2005

 

Philippians 1:27 Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in one spirit, contending as one man for the faith of the gospel…

 

HOW CAN OUR SMALL GROUPS “P-A-R-T-N-E-R” TO SHARE THE GOOD NEWS WITH OTHERS?

 

PRAY TOGETHER

Colossians 4:3 And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains.

 

James 4:2b-3 You do not have, because you do not ask God. ³When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.

 

I Timothy 2:3-4 This is good, and pleases God our Savior, ⁴who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.

 

Action Step: Make a Home Team prayer list.

 

APPEAL TO COMMON INTERESTS

1 Corinthians 9:19-23 Though I am free and belong to no man, I make myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible. ²⁰To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law. ²¹To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God's law but am under Christ's law), so as to win those not having the law. ²²To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some. ²³I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings.

 

Action Step: Discover the common interests within your group.

 

REACH OUT IN LOVE

1 Thessalonians 2:8 We loved you so much that we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well, because you had become so dear to us.

 

1 Corinthians 5:12a What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church?

 

Luke 7:34b  …a friend of tax collectors and “sinners.”

 

Action Step: Ask God to give you a deeper love for others.

 

Tell your story    

Acts 1:8 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.”

 

Action Step: Write out your story & share it with your group

       

 

Nurture Friendships

Romans 12:16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.

 

Luke 7:34b  …a friend of tax collectors and “sinners.”

 

Luke 5:29 Then Levi held a great banquet for Jesus at his house, and a large crowd of tax collectors and others were eating with them.

 

Action Step: Bring a friend to your group.  Plan a party.

       

       

Expect God to Act  

Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.

 

Luke 5:20 When Jesus saw their faith, he said, “Friend, your sins are forgiven.”

 

Action Step: Never give up on anyone.

 

 

Represent Christ With Your Lives

Colossians 3:17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

 

Philippians 1:27a Philippians 1:27 Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ.

 

Action Step: With the heart of a servant, pray to God, “Use me.”