Why Church? week 4
Notes
Transcript
Do you think some Christians tend to avoid people who don’t yet know Christ? Why?
Think about someone you know—a co-worker, neighbor or friend—who seems to be far from God. How could you show that person you care about them?
Have you ever experienced kindness or generosity from an unexpected person?
46 Every day they devoted themselves to meeting together in the temple complex, and broke bread from house to house. They ate their food with a joyful and humble attitude,
47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And every day the Lord added to them those who were being saved.
Does anything surprise you about these verses? How was the experience of the early church different from how we “do church” today?
Read verse 47 again;
Why do you think they grew so fast? Why were all these people showing up?
18 And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the forces of Hades will not overpower it.
Sometimes we may think it is my job to build the church. My job to change my neighbors life. My job to bring my coworker or classmate to church. But before we try to live this out, we need to understand whose job it is to do these things. It is God’s job to build his church. God changes the heart of man and it is God who placed you where you are right now in this period of time. In light of this our job is to live differently. We model and share our relationship with God to others. We become servant hearted and life giving. When we recognize God’s role and work, we can be lead by him to join him in reaching people far from him.
In this passage we can observe that there are 3 ways we can invest in people:
Identify: Look around. Who are the people in your immediate vicinity? Family, co-workers, the barista who you constantly see making your coffee. Who is around you and just begin to pray for them. “God thank you for putting these people in my life…”
Invest: Once you have an idea of those God has put in your life that don’t attend church or are far from God, we take a step (big or small) to invest in their life. We can ask them about their family or encourage them. We can show them that you care about them as a person.
Invite: You can invite them to something. Church, small group, or an activity you like to do that they also enjoy. The goal being to show them you care about them enough to get to know them better and provide a picture of Jesus’ love for them through us. Because we cannot control when God draws them into a saving relationship with Jesus. But we have total control over the picture of Jesus that people encounter when they have a relationship with us. We have a God that seeks us to have a relationship with him and cares about those who will be saved and those who are being saved. It makes sense that his church is ready to do the same and seeks for others to have a relationship with him of those who will be saved and those being saved. Who are you investing in relationally these days? What is happening as a result? Are you influencing them or are they influencing you? How do you think we as a church do at reaching out to those “who will be?” What one specific action will you take this week to show care to someone who is not yet a believer?
Ready with an answer for our invitation.
15 but honor the Messiah as Lord in your hearts. Always be ready to give a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you.
16 However, do this with gentleness and respect, keeping your conscience clear, so that when you are accused, those who denounce your Christian life will be put to shame.
What work or study would you need to do in order to be prepared to give an answer about your faith?
Is your “answer” about your faith more about what the Bible says, or telling your own story? How can you blend those two things?
What attitude does this verse say we should have when telling others about Jesus?
Why do you think our attitude matters?