Sermon Based Curriculum
Sermon Date: Oct. 11, 2009
Sermon Title: "Making Friends for God”
Sermon Text: 1 John 4:12, 1 Peter 3:15, Acts 20:20
Small Group Text: John 1:40-45, Luke 5:27-29, John 4:1-42
Introduction
Can anybody tell of a time when you were afraid in the dark? (Pause to share stories.) Most of us, I hope, have outgrown our fear of the dark. But there are a lot of people today who still live in the dark. Can you think of somebody who is living in the dark – spiritually? This week, we are taking a look at how the Good News can dispel the darkness as God’s love radiates through our personal relationships. There are a number of examples in the Bible of the Good News being shared through a variety of relationships. We’re going to take a quick look at three of those relational tracks and then spend a little more time digging into a fourth.
Discussion
1. As we read these three passages, identify the three relationships that come into play: A. John 1:40-42 (a family member - his brother) B. John 1:43-45 (a friend) C. Luke 5:27-29 (his work associates - other tax collectors) 2. In each of the passages above, what prompted Andrew, Philip, and Levi to go tell someone else? (They each had an encounter with Jesus. He met them. He challenged them. They responded to His challenge.)
3. Can anyone in the group tell about a personal encounter with Jesus? How do we encounter Jesus today if He is not physically present? 4. Let’s look a little deeper into another story from the Gospel of John. Read John 4:1-15. What can we learn from Jesus’ approach with the woman? (Jesus initiated the conversation. He was willing to cross racial, gender and social barriers. He used a “word picture” that was immediately relevant to her and turned the conversation to spiritual matters. See verses 13-14)
5. Read John 4:16-26. Why would Jesus challenge her lifestyle? (Not to condemn, but to free her from the guilt and shame.) Why do you think the woman sidetracked the conversation to focus on a religious
controversy? (It’s easier to talk about religion in general terms than to talk about one’s own personal needs.)
6. Read John 4:27-30. Following her encounter with Jesus, what did the woman do? (She ran into town and told her neighbors.) What was the woman’s testimony? (“Come, see a man who told me everything I ever did. Could this be the Christ?”)
7. Read John 4:39-42. What happened as a result of the woman’s encounter with Jesus and sharing her testimony with the village? (Many of the Samaritans from that town believed in Jesus.)
Application
We all know of someone living “in the dark.” How does the Good News, the “message of light” reach those living in the darkness? Light radiates from those living in the light of Christ. For that to happen three things need to be going on in our lives: •
A fresh encounter with Jesus
•
An awareness of our personal relationships
•
A readiness to share our story
1. For many of us, the story of our encounter with Jesus is years old. We probably think back to the time when we started our relationship with Him. One key to effectively sharing our light is a fresh encounter with Jesus – something recent and vibrant! A. What would a recent and vibrant encounter with Jesus look like to you? B. What would you need to do to experience that kind of encounter with Him? 2. The second key to sharing our light is an awareness of our personal relationships. Can you name someone in your circles of influence who is living in spiritual darkness? A. Make a list of family members, friends, work associates, or acquaintances who may be living in spiritual darkness. B. Commit to pray regularly for those on the list. 3. The third key is a readiness to share our story. In 1 Peter 3:15 we are instructed to “Always be ready to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.” Do you have a “ready” answer? A. Would someone in the group share their story in two minutes or less? B. As you spend time with someone from your prayer list (2A above) watch for opportunities God may give you to share your story. Always be ready!