Sermon Based Curriculum
Sermon Date: Oct. 25, 2009
Sermon Title: Love Makes a Way
Sermon Text: Matt. 9:36-38
Small Group Text: 2 Cor. 4:1-6
Introduction
The gospel is the good news of Jesus Christ and how he has brought light into a dark world (Read Matthew 4:16-17). If our lives have been positively effected by the light of the gospel, then Jesus wants us to share that same message of hope with people we know (Read Matthew 5:14-16) During these past 3 weeks we have learned how to share a personal testimony, we have identified and are praying for people in our lives who need Jesus, and we have learned how to explain a simple plan of salvation. So what keeps us from being an effective witness to family and friends? Perhaps, our verbal testimony (words) and our non-verbal testimony (actions) don’t match. How can we live in such a way that our lives validate our testimony and doesn’t diminish or cancel it out? Let’s take a look as Paul describes how we can bring light to a dark world when our words and our actions are in sync. As we move through this study, think about people who you know are living in darkness. Who do you think is supposed to take the message of light to them? If not you, then who?
Discussion
1. Read 2 Cor. 4:1-6 2. Whenever you see a “therefore” in scripture (as in 2 Cor. 4:1), be sure to look back in the text to see what the “therefore” is there for! As we look back to the context of this passage (2 Cor. 3), Paul is talking about “this ministry” for which God has made us confident (2 Cor.3:4), competent (2 Cor. 3:6), and bold (2 Cor. 3:12). Since we have been given confidence, competence, and boldness, Paul says in 2 Cor. 4:1 we should not “lose heart.” What do you think Paul means when he says we should not “lose heart”? 3. In 4:2, what are three things Paul describes that might cause us to “lose heart” in carrying out this ministry? How might these three things diminish or cancel out our testimony?
4. From the second part of 2 Cor. 4:2, what does Paul say would validate our testimony? 5. What do verses 3-4 say about the response we may get to the gospel? 6. What does verse 5 say we can do to validate the gospel? (Tell unbelievers about Jesus and offer yourselves in service to them – “servants for Jesus’ sake.”)
7. Why is being a servant to others essential for sharing the gospel? 8. Read 2 Cor. 4:6. How did the light of Christ first break through to you?
Application
1. Read 1 Peter 2:11-12 and then grade yourself: What grade (A-B-C-D-F) would you give your “non-verbal” testimony: A. With immediate family? B. With relatives? C. With neighbors? D. With co-workers? E. With acquaintances? 2. What is one way you can serve someone you care about that would validate the gospel message?
Sermon-Based Curriculum