Adult Bible Study Guide Jul Aug Sep 2020
Adult Bible Study Guide Jul • Aug • Sep 2020 powerpoint presentation designed by claro ruiz vicente http: //clarovicente. weebly. com
Adult Sabbath School Bible Study Guide An Appeal Dear User This Power. Point Show is freely shared to all who may find it beneficial. While intended primarily for personal use, some find it useful for teaching the lesson in church. There are those, however, who add illustrations, change background, replace fonts, etc. While their intention may be good, this is not right. Slide #1 says “designed by claro ruiz vicente. ” For honest Christians, it is not necessary for another’s creation to be copyrighted in order to be respected. PLEASE USE AS IS.
Mark A. Finley
Making Friends for God Our Goal To learn of our incredible privilege and awesome responsibility as well as the eternal joy of participating with Christ and cooperating with Him in His mission.
Making Friends for God Contents 1 Why Witness? 2 Winsome Witness: The Power of Personal Testimony 3 Seeing People Through Jesus’ Eyes 4 Prayer Power: Interceding for Others 5 Spirit-Empowered Witnessing 6 Unlimited Possibilities 7 Sharing the Word 8 Ministering Like Jesus 9 Developing a Winning Attitude 10 An Exciting Way to Get Involved 11 Sharing the Story of Jesus 12 A Message Worth Sharing
Making Friends for God Lesson 10, September 5, 2020 An Exciting Way to Get Involved
An Exciting Way to Get Involved Key Text Matthew 9: 37, 38 NKJV Then He said to His disciples, ‘The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest. ’ ”
An Exciting Way to Get Involved Initial Words Throughout the Bible, small groups are highlighted as one of God’s methods of strengthening our faith, increasing our knowledge of His Word, deepening our prayer life, and equipping us to witness. We will focus on the biblical basis for small groups, and discover an exciting way to get involved.
An Exciting Way to Get Involved Quick Look 1. Small Groups in the Bible (Genesis 1: 1, 2, 26) 2. Organized for Service (1 Corinthians 12: 12 -14, 25) 3. Small Group Dynamics (Matthew 9: 37, 38)
An Exciting Way to Get Involved 1. Small Groups in the Bible Genesis 1: 1, 2, 26 NKJV n the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was without form, and void; and darkness was on the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters. Then God said, ‘Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness. ’ ” I
1. Small Groups in the Bible God’s Idea First Small groups were God’s idea first. Though one has to be careful when using analogies to the mysterious aspects of God, let’s use one and say that the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit composed the first “small group” in salvation history. They participated together in the creation of the human race and then in
1. Small Groups in the Bible God’s Idea First The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are united in a “small group” with the express purpose of redeeming the human race. “The plan of salvation had its place in the counsels of the Infinite from all eternity. ”—FCE 186. There is nothing more important to God than saving as many people as possible (1 Tim. 2: 4, 2 Pet. 3: 9).
1. Small Groups in the Bible God’s Idea First Small groups may have multiple purposes but their overriding purpose is to focus on winning lost people to Jesus. That is, by working in small groups we can help not ourselves alone but others, as well. That is, the ultimate goal of our small groups should be soul winning.
1. Small Groups in the Bible In the Old Testament “Moreover you shall select. . . able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness; and place such over them to be rulers of thousands, . . . of hundreds, . . . of fifties, and. . . of tens. And let them judge the people at all times. . [E]very great matter they shall bring to you, but every small matter they themselves shall judge” (Exo. 18: 21,
1. Small Groups in the Bible In the Old Testament Every individual in the camp of Israel became part of a group of ten, led by a godly official. These small groups were a place for problem solving; places of fellowship where problems could be prevented and spiritual life nurtured. They were places of vision, where God’s plans for Israel could be shared.
1. Small Groups in the Bible In the New Testament Jesus’ purpose in calling the disciples was to prepare them both spiritually and practically for their mission. In fellowship with Him, they would grow in grace. In the context of their small group meetings, they would learn how to minister more effectively. As they observed Jesus, they would learn how to use their gifts.
1. Small Groups in the Bible In the New Testament The New Testament church exploded in growth. Factors that contributed to the influx of believers: 1. Jesus’ ministry sowed the seed of the gospel. 2. The Holy Spirit descended on the day of Pentecost. 3. Its small group organizational structure.
In the New Testament Lessons in Acts 1. Each one was important. 2. Mutually supported one another in their outreach ministry. 3. Each one had a valuable contribution with diiversities of gifts, backgrounds, and experiences. Believers regularly met in homes which became centers of influence and the heart of small group ministry.
An Exciting Way to Get Involved 2. Organized for Service 1 Corinthians 12: 12 -14, 25 nkjv or as the body is one and has many members, but all the members. . . are one body, so also is Christ. For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body— whether Jews or Greeks, . . . slaves or free. . There should be no schism in the body, but that the members should have the F
2. Organized for Service The Human Body Model A study of anatomy and physiology reveals that the organs of the body are organized into different interrelated systems. For example, the digestive, cardiovascular, respiratory, and skeletal are just a few of the body’s complex organ systems. Spiritual gifts are like the different parts of the body.
2. Organized for Service The Human Body Model They function best when organized into systems or groups. In fact, in most cases they cannot function alone. Our bodies are not just a lump of separate organs freelancing away at whatever they do. Each bodily function is organized into a tightly knit system that works together toward a common goal.
2. Organized for Service Small Group Environment 1. Not alone. Not so easy to get discouraged. 2. Efforts can be much better focused and greatly magnified. 3. Best environment to exercise spiritual gifts. 4. Small group can become the heart of a local congregation’s outreach ministry.
2. Organized for Service Testimonies for the Church 7: 21, 22 “The formation of small companies as a basis of Christian effort has been presented to me by One who cannot err. If there is a large number in the church, let the members be formed into small companies, to work not only for the church members, but for unbelievers. ”
An Exciting Way to Get Involved 3. Small Group Dynamics Matthew 9: 37, 38 nkjv hen He said to His disciples, ‘The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray T the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest. ’ ”
3. Small Group Dynamics Reaching Within and Without Small groups are a vehicle that God uses to grow His church. They— 1. are “safe havens” for people to express their problems. 2. provide opportunities for spiritual growth. 3. make non-Christians feel more comfortable attending for the first time in homes than in traditional church.
3. Small Group Dynamics Reaching Within and Without Early Christians met together to— 1. intercede for others. 2. pray about mutual concerns. 3. share in warm fellowship. 4. study the Word of God. 5. be equipped for service. 6. help protect each other against false teachers. 7. participate in outreach activities.
3. Small Group Dynamics In Answer to Christ’s Prayer “The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few”(Matt. 9: 37 NKJV). Christ’s solution was to pray for “ ‘the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest’ ” (verse 38). Small groups are an answer to Christ’s prayer and exponentially increase the number of laborers for Christ’s harvest.
An Exciting Way to Get Involved Final Words The focus of all effective small groups is witness and service. If the small group becomes self-serving and little more than a discussion group, it will fail in its purpose and lose the vital reason for its existence. Small groups exist to lead people to Jesus, nurture their faith in Jesus, and equip them to witness for Jesus.
- Slides: 28