Growth Group Study Booklet

Transcription

1 Growth Group Study Booklet Living for Jesus By making, maturing and mobilising disciples For His Glory

2 Welcome Welcome to our Vision Series Study Booklet for This series is called MULTIPLY: Disciples Making Disciples. It will be made up of six studies from 1 Thessalonians, looking at this topic of discipleship. The aim is to help us to be clear and focused about what our purpose as a church is and how we can make it happen. Multiply: Disciples Making Disciples Week 1. What Is A Disciple? (Overview of 1 Thessalonians) Week 2. Disciples Make (1 Thess. 1:1-10) Week 3. Disciples Serve (1 Thess. 2:1 3:13) Week 4. Disciples Grow (1 Thess. 4:1-12) Week 5. Disciples Hope (1 Thess. 4:13 5:11) Week 6. Disciples Commit (1 Thess. 5:12-28) 2

3 From LT: Our Focus for 2015 Disciples Making Disciples Our mission at Lakeshore is to live for Jesus by making, maturing and mobilising disciples of Jesus for God s glory. It is our prayer and our goal for this next year that the entire church will be focused and working on being disciple- makers. We hope to see an ever- increasing number of people turning to Christ, growing in faith and becoming active in ministry and mission. By God s grace, we look forward to 2015 being a year of disciples making disciples. How are you going to grow in making disciples? What steps are you going to take to make disciples? How are you going to be mobilised in serving on Sunday and through the week? Diary Dates: 2014 Term 4 Sunday October 12 Sunday October 26 Sunday November 16 Sunday November 23 Sunday December 14 Thursday December 25 Sunday December 28 Church Forum Annual General Meeting 2014 Commitment Sunday 2 Thessalonians Series Begins Community Carols Christmas Day Service Summer Series Begins: Parables of Jesus Diary Dates: 2015 Sunday February 1 Sunday February 8 Friday April 3 Sunday April Launch Sunday Exodus Series Begins Good Friday Easter Sunday 3

4 Commitment Day SUNDAY 16 NOVEMBER, 2014 This year in November we are having a special opportunity to commit to the vision and future of Lakeshore Community Church of Christ. This will also be a day when we are hoping to welcome new Members so if you are not a member please consider it and speak to L- T about what is involved. We are also planning to baptise people on that day so again if you haven t been baptised and you would like to be please speak to L- T. We will have an opportunity on Commitment Sunday to indicate our commitment to the Vision for Lakeshore on a Commitment Card. It will be an opportunity to make a personal commitment before God to keep as reminder to pray and live out. The Commitment Cards will be distributed during the Vision Series for you to prayerfully consider. There will also be an opportunity to give a Special Gift as a once off thanksgiving offering over and about our annual weekly giving in thanks for what God has done in 2014 towards growing Lakeshore in It is an opportunity to support God s work that we re personally passionate about, helping to build a future for both the people or our church and the wider community. NEXT STEPS PRAY about what you are able to give as your weekly offering for PRAY about how you live, thinking in terms of our church being a church made up of disciples who make disciples and not just a commitment to a Sunday event. PRAY about your use of time and talent in ministry for PROJECTS for 2015 We praise God for his generosity over previous years in allowing us to continue to build and expand our ministries at Lakeshore. It is our joy to give you the privilege to give to the 2015 Projects. These will allow us to grow our current ministries and also reach out to our community with compassion. 4

5 1. Outreach A Lakeshore Church community profile raising campaign. o PRAYER GOAL $1000 Community Connect Events: Free Community Parenting Seminar; Art, Coffee & Music Night; Community Carols. o PRAYER GOAL $2000 NEW INITIATIVE Coffee Outreach Ministry (See Coffee Outreach Ministry vision over the page) Queensland Theological College Mission Week July 6-13 o PRAYER GOAL $ Future Leadership Ministry Training Strategy: A key part of our 2015 Vision for Lakeshore is to raise up future leaders. In order to see this continue in 2015 we are seeking funding for the two year apprenticeship. Under the recent changes any money given is tax deductible. o PRAYER GOAL $ Future Leadership Fund: Full time Assistant Pastor for 2016 (See explanation over the page) o PRAYER GOAL - $ by Mercy Ministry Fund We have increasing opportunities in our community for people in need. For example through our contact with Glenn Chambers the Scripture Union Chaplain from Kuluin. There are also growing needs through the ministry of Cubbyhouse and the Child Care Centre. o PRAYER GOAL $ Children s & Youth Ministry We have been blessed by God with a growing number of children and youth. We need to continue to train and equip teachers and youth leaders to disciple them. We are planning to give opportunity for teachers and youth leaders to go to a training weekend. o PRAYER GOAL $ Building Fund We are blessed with a building that is debt free. We want to look after and make sure it is serviceable into the future. General maintenance: leaks, lights and carpet. Air- conditioning to care for the older and the very young. o PRAYER GOAL $2500 5

6 Coffee Ministry Vision & Plan (Additional Information for Project 1: Outreach) One of three main purposes we have as a church is Making Disciples. We want to play our part in seeing some of the thousands of people on the Sunshine Coast come to know Jesus. Towards that end, in 2015 as a church we want to increase our community engagement. But to reach a culture, you must first know the culture. Let me ask you this: If you had a morning off, what might you do? A lot people would say, Go out for a coffee. If you had a meeting, where might you meet? Again a lot of people would say, A Café. 20 years ago, this was not the case. Meetings would be held in offices. If you had a morning off, you might do some work around the house and have a cup of instant tea or coffee, with a home made slice, at home. Our culture has changed. BIS Shrapnel is Australia's leading provider of industry research, analysis and forecasting services. In 2012 they published a report on coffee usage in Australia. They found that the total market for coffee in terms of number of units purchased away from home/work has increased by 20 per cent from 1.8 billion in 2010 to 2.1 billion in The away- from- home coffee market is expected to grow between 10 and 15 per cent within the next two years, driven very much by the younger generation, while coffee consumed in the workplace both made at work and outside the workplace is also expected to rise. The signs are there that Australia is becoming a coffee nation. And here is what is interesting to us. The same report found that 47% of people who went out for coffee identified the main reason as being relational. Meeting friends and spending time with them was why they went out for coffee. In other words, coffee was the environment in which relationships grew. Listen to this. In 2010, reporter Mike Fleischmann wrote an article for Christianity Today. In researching what made a difference to people coming to faith and growing in their faith, this is what he found. What made the real difference with the unchurched were personal relationships. The majority who find Christ, look back and say that it was a friend who influenced them toward faith. In my interviews, over and over again, people shared about someone in relationship with them. This friendship may have been for a lifetime or just a season, but it was the right person at the right time that helped bring them to faith Lakeshore exists to make disciples of Christ. That includes training, equipping and supporting those who already know Jesus. But we also exist to introduce people to Jesus. And most of them are not coming to our church services to find Jesus. But they are going to coffee shops to find relationship. And in Australia, relationships are the first step of discipleship. And most people will come to faith through a relationship with someone. What does all that mean to us? We have many wonderful opportunities every week to be in relationship with people. To meet with people and show them authentic love and care. We have Playgroup (Cubby House), our Seniors group (Open Doors), the Community Carols, and the Art, Music and Coffee night. But imagine this. What if we harnessed that coffee culture, and brought that kind of environment into these activities? That doesn t replace what is going on, it compliments, and offers further opportunity for relationship building. And what if we created further opportunities to harness the coffee culture? 6

7 Imagine being to offer on our property coffee, care and relationship to parents after they drop off their children next door. Or we could start to invite the staff next door over for coffee mornings to validate and affirm their work (or take it over to them) Or morning teas for parents next door. Or blessing local businesses. (The closest coffee shop is 10 minutes away). I am not suggesting that we become the coffee kings of North Buderim. But I am urging us to see the culture that we are a part of, and to intentionally harness that for the sake of Jesus. - Relationships are the major reason people go out for coffee - People find faith through relationships - Our church is called to help people find, and grow in faith. It seems a simple equation. So why am I sharing this with you? What if? Lets ask that question today. What if we were able to access a good coffee machine that made quality coffee? What if some of us were trained to be excellent baristas? What if some of us were excellent listeners, willing to be there for others? Willing and able to sit with a parent who is having a bad day and needs someone to offload to. Willing and able to express love and encouragement to our neighbours, both Child Care and businesses, through the gift of coffee. What if? Engaging with our community means being with them, learning the names and stories, and offering hope in Jesus. Coffee is just the tool. If this excites you, come and talk with me. Don t think that you are not able to do this. If you are a human being, and you can listen more than you talk, you are capable. If the love of Jesus resides in your life, and you can pray, you are capable. Any other aspects that need training, we will provide. So come and talk to me today. Logistically, we need a coffee machine. But the great news is that we are very close to receiving one. Our friends from the Mission Division of CofC see this as a wonderful opportunity to support our local mission, and may be able to provide us with the machine. We have the opportunities. More than we can cope with. Now we need you to say, I m in. What can I do? This will not happen overnight. But it is now that we need to plan, shape and prepare, and trust God will do His work in and through our humble efforts. For His renown, L- T 7

8 Proposal for a Full Time Associate Pastor in 2016 (Additional information for Project 2: Future Leadership) Proposal: To employ a full time Executive Pastor to commence in January We are at a point in time in church life where we need to consider what staffing positions will have the greatest affect in growing. Bill Forgeard s two year term as the Associate Pastor finishes at the end of Joel Allen also finishes his MTS apprenticeship at the end of We have encouraged Joel to go to another church to get some more experience especially in a larger city church. He is taking up a student minister s position that he has been offered at a large church in Brisbane. This presents an opportunity to consider the future staffing positions. In the past opportunities have presented themselves and we have taken them. As Joel goes in 2015 this also increases the need for someone who knows church to be around to help cover what he has been overseeing. Bill s current commitment was to finish at the end of 2014 as well. This would also leave us with a need to find someone to oversee the areas of church life Bill has been overseeing. This includes the two major areas of Lakeshore@Night and Growth Groups. Bill has been doing good work in these areas. As well as this, Bill and L- T have a very good working relationship. From the perspective of what would be good for Lakeshore, there is every reason for Bill to continue in his role. It makes sense for him to continue working three days a week in Bill still has six months left of this study to do in He has indicated he would like to stay on for 2015 to continue the ministry he is doing and see him through his studies. This would work for us as a church as we still need someone to do the work Bill is doing. In the long term it would be good to move towards adding a full time Assistant Pastor. This is a crucial part of us seeking to grow as a church. The person needs to complement the Senior Pastor s role and gifts. If the Senior Pastor is responsible and gifted for vision setting, teaching, preaching and local mission, to complement this the Assistant Pastor would help carry the weight of administration, organization and management responsibilities, as well as having preaching, teaching & discipleship roles. The ideal would be to have someone who has theological training so they could provide assistance with the preaching and discipleship where necessary. Bill continuing part time in 2015 would allow us to plan towards adding a full time assistant pastor to the team in It gives us an opportunity to raise the necessary funds. If possible, it would be good to have a significant proportion of the first year salary raised. This can happen through the regular giving but also through gifts to it as a Vision special project. A funding proposal has been submitted to the Churches of Christ Missions Division. Please pray as L- T and one of the Elders goes to meet with the head of this Division to discuss the proposal. Please prayerfully consider giving a gift above your regular giving to the Full Time Assistant Pastor Project in this year s Vision Series. 8

9 New Resources for Lakeshore Our church has signed up to a new web site called GoThereFor.com. What this new subscription allows you to do is visit the GoThereFor.com web site at any time, and find hundreds of good quality, biblically faithful resources. Resources that up until now you would have had to pay for. But because our church has paid for a subscription, there is no cost to you in accessing these resources. It s all free for you to use. Think of it like this: Our church is renting a library. We pay rent, and we ve been given a key to the library so we can go in and access books and videos. Everyone in our church can go into the library to borrow stuff, as long as it is being used in the ministry of our church. You need to register as an individual with the GoThereFor library. So you have to sign in, create an account and let them know who you are and which church you belong to. How to Register Group Membership Code: grouptlind532fb8a877735member Here's how you can use this group membership code: Go to and click on the Part of a group already and looking to activate your library membership link, OR Click on the coupon code above to automatically add the Group Membership product and the membership code to your cart. Enter all your details in the checkout page (fields with a red asterisk are required). Click on the link (just below the 'Place order' button) to read the terms and conditions, then return to the Checkout page. Click the checkbox to accept the terms & conditions, and click the 'Place order' button. Then have a look around the website at all the free books, videos, bible studies, devotions and more than you can start using. 9

10 Introduction to 1 Thessalonians When Paul and his companions visited Thessalonica in AD 49 or 50, it was already a well- established city with a long history. It had been founded in the fourth century BC by Cassander, one of Alexander the Great s army officers. He named it after his wife, Thessalonica, who was Alexander s half- sister. It occupied a strategic position, for it boasted a good natural harbour at the head of the Thermaic Gulf, and it was situated on the Via Egnatia which was the main route between Rome and the East. Thessalonica became the capital of the Roman province of Macedonia. Lightfoot described it as the key to the whole of Macedonia. Today as Thessaloniki it is the second most important city of Greece. Luke tells us in Acts 17 how Thessalonica came to be evangelized. It happened during Paul s second missionary journey, which followed soon after the Council of Jerusalem. Paul, Silas, Timothy and Luke sailed across the Northern Aegean Sea into Europe. After a remarkably successful mission in Philippi, Paul, Silas and Timothy moved on in a south- westerly direction to Thessalonica, while Luke stayed behind. The Jewish population of Thessalonica was large enough to justify a synagogue, and here Paul preached on three successive sabbaths. Luke describes his approach. First, he argued from the Old Testament Scriptures that the expected Christ (i.e. the Messiah) had to suffer and rise from the dead. Next, he proclaimed Jesus of Nazareth to them, doubtless telling the story of his life, death and resurrection. And thirdly, he put his first and second points together, and declared that this Jesus was that Christ. In other words, Old Testament prophecy had been fulfilled in Jesus, so that the Jesus of history and the Christ of Scripture were the same person. Some of his Jewish listeners were convinced, and joined the missionaries. So did a large number of God- fearing Greeks, Gentiles on the fringe of the synagogue, and not a few prominent women. It was not long before opposition arose. Jealous of Paul s influence in the city, the Jews recruited a gang of thugs and started a riot. Not finding Paul or Silas in Jason s house, where they were staying, the ringleaders dragged Jason and some other believers before the city magistrates and lodged a serious accusation against them: These men who have caused trouble all over the world have now come here, and Jason has welcomed them into his house. They are all defying Caesar s decrees, saying that there is another king, one called Jesus. This allegation threw the city into an uproar. Jason and his friends were put on bail, and that night under cover of darkness Paul and Silas had to be smuggled out of town. They went south to Berea for a short mission. But the Jews followed them there, so that Paul had to continue his southward journey to Athens, where his escort left him. Soon after, at his request, Silas and Timothy rejoined him. But so anxious was he about the situation in Macedonia that he sent them north again in order to find out what was happening, even though it meant that he was again left in Athens alone. Timothy went to Thessalonica, and Silas probably to Philippi. By the time they were ready to return south with news, Paul had moved on once more. So it was in Corinth that their reunion took place, and that Paul wrote his first letter to the Thessalonian church (1 Thes. 3:6). (Excerpt from John Stott, Introduction, The Message of Thessalonians) 10

11 Recommended Resources Here are a few recommended resources for further reading: The Trellis and the Vine By Col Marshall and Tony Payne One- to- One Bible Reading By David Helm Crazy Love By Francis Chan Multiply: Disciples Making Disciples By Francis Chan The Gospel- Centred Series By Tim Chester, Steve Timmis and others Resources used in preparing this study booklet: - John Stott, The Message of Thessalonians, The Bible Speaks Today Commentary Series (Leicester: IVP, 1996). - Simon Roberts, Standing Firm: 1 Thessalonians, Pathway Bible Guides (gotherefor.com, 2013). 11

12 STUDY 1 Overview of 1 Thessalonians What Is A Disciple? Kick Off: Who do you admire so much that you would go so far as to imitate them? What makes that person worth imitating? Key Verse: 1 Thess. 1:3 Big Idea: Disciples are those who are in relationship with Jesus through his death & resurrection and live in light of His return in faith, hope & love evidenced in work, labour & endurance. Discuss: Last term we did the course Six Steps to loving Your Church. What was the most helpful thing you took from that course? How have you been going at putting it into practice? Investigate: What is A Disciple? 1. Read Acts 17:1-4. How did the Thessalonians become disciples? What was the basis of their faith? 2. Trace the history of Paul s relationship with the Thessalonians. Ask one person to read and summarise each of the passages in these three groups: a) Acts 17:5-9; 1 Thess. 2:1-2; 1 Thess. 2: b) Acts 17:10-15; 1 Thess. 2:17-3:3. c) Acts 18:1, 5; 1 Thess. 3: Read 1 Thess. 5:4-11. a) What things should a disciple do to be living in light of the return of Christ? List everything these verses say. b) Look at each of your answers to (a). How does the return of Christ encourage disciples to live like that? 12

13 4. Read 1 Thess. 1:3. a) What is it about faith that produces work in a disciple s life? b) What is it about love that prompts labour in a disciple s life? c) What is it about hope that inspires endurance in a disciple s life? Think & Apply: 5. How did you become a disciple? When and where did it happen, who was involved? Share your stories with one another. 6. What are your plans for tomorrow? (e.g. work, study, day off etc). What practical difference will it make for you to live in light of the return of Christ tomorrow? (You might want to look at 1 Thess. 1:3 or 5:4-11 again). 7. Thinking about your life as a whole, how are you expressing the work of faith, labour of love and endurance of hope as a disciple? (From 1 Thess. 1:3). Are there things you would like to grow in a do more of in the future? Assignment: Think of someone you could share all or part of your own story with about how you became a disciple of Jesus. (Could be a family member, friend, someone in church etc). If you can t think of anyone, pray during the week for an unexpected chance to come up. Next week s study will begin with a time for sharing how you went with this! Prayer: Pray for each other to be continually growing as disciples of Jesus who are living in light of his return Pray for specific things that have been shared during the study Pray for Lakeshore Church as we spend the next 6 weeks thinking about what it means to be disciples of Jesus. Read Ahead: For next week s sermon and growth group, read 1 Thess. 1:1-10 Coming Up: Annual General Meeting (Sunday October 26 after church) 13

14 STUDY 2 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10 Disciples Make Kick Off: Who do you admire so much that you would go so far as to imitate them? What makes that person worth imitating? Key Verse: 1 Thess. 1:8a Big Idea: Disciples who know Jesus live so that others will know Jesus Discuss: How did you go last week in praying and looking for a chance to share your story with someone? Investigate: Disciples Make Read 1 Thessalonians 1: a) How does Paul know that the Thessalonian Christians are loved by God and have been chosen by him? (v 4-5) b) What do you think Paul means when he says the gospel message came to them not simply with words, but also with power with the Holy Spirit and deep conviction? 2. What does verse 10 tell us about Jesus and the content of this gospel message? (See also Acts 17:3) 3. a) What is the proper way to respond to this gospel message (vv. 9-10)? b) Looking through verses 1-10, list all the changes that resulted from the Thessalonians response to the gospel. 14

15 4. Read verse 8. What does it mean that the message rang out from the Thessalonians? How might this have practically happened? Think & Apply: 5. Are you comfortable with the idea that other people might imitate your life as a disciple? Why or why not? 6. Making disciples involves both speaking words (the gospel message) and work/labour/endurance (the lives we live). Which do you feel more confident being a witness in? How can you grow in the area you are less confident in? 7. How can the gospel message ring out from us as a church? How can the faith of people at Lakeshore become better known among our local community? Assignment: Planning to Make Disciples This week, think of one person from each area of your life that you would like to see become a disciple of Jesus. For each person, where is your relationship up to (Connecting with them, Caring for them in friendship, Communicating the gospel with them, or encouraging them to Commit to Jesus)? What practical next step can you begin praying and looking for? People Current Stage Next Step? Family: Neighbours: Work/Study: Friends: This week, begin praying for each person and looking for opportunities that may arise. Prayer: - Pray for each other in knowing the gospel, responding to the gospel, and being an example of the gospel - Pray that the gospel would ring out from our church. - Pray for people you would like to see become disciples of Jesus. Read Ahead: For next week s sermon and growth group, read 1 Thess. 2:1 3:13 Coming Up: Annual General Meeting (Sunday October 26 after church) 15

16 STUDY 3 1 Thessalonians 2:17 3:13 Disciples Serve Kick Off: List, in order of importance, three things you would really like to achieve in the next two years. Explain why you put them in this particular order. Key Verse: 1 Thess. 3:12 Big Idea: Disciples are motivated by love to serve one another Discuss: Share with each other your planning to make disciples from last week. (If you didn t complete the activity, think of one person you would like to pray for right now.) Investigate: Read 1 Thessalonians 2:17-3:13 1. Why is Paul so eager to see the Thessalonians face to face? 2. Why are we destined to suffer affliction (3:3-4)? (Also read John 15:18-21.) 3. Paul was unable to see the Thessalonians in person, so he sent Timothy instead. a) What news has Timothy returned with (3:6)? b) What is Paul s response to this news (3:7-10)? 4. In 3:11-13, Paul prays that the Lord would (1) make the Thessalonians increase and abound in love for one another and for all, and (2) establish their hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus. a) What do you think love is? Why is it so important? 16

17 b) What do you think holiness is? Why is it so important? Think & Apply: 5. How do these goals that Paul has for the Thessalonians compare with your own goals for your life? (Refer back to the Kick- Off question) 6. What is God s role in bringing about love and holiness in our lives? What is our role? 7. Come up with three ways in which you can imitate, in the life and activities of Lakeshore, Paul s deep concern for others. Assignment: Building on your answer to question 7 1. Look for one opportunity to love other members of Lakeshore Church this week in some kind of practical service. (Might be a encouraging phone call or message, a conversation on Sunday, a helping hand or a ministry task.) 2. Is there a particular way you would like to love others in the church by committing to serve regularly in a ministry area, either now or in the future? (e.g. going on a roster for kids ministry, music, cleaning, admin tasks, etc.) Prayer: - Pray that the members of your group would grow in love for each other. - Pray for opportunities to serve one another, either new or existing. - Continue to pray for those people you would like to see become disciples of Jesus. Read Ahead: For next week s sermon and growth group, read 1 Thess. 4:1-12 Coming Up: Commitment Sunday 2014 (Sunday November 16). 17

18 STUDY 4 1 Thessalonians 4:1-12 Disciples Grow Kick Off: People often say that Christians are just hypocrites. Is this true? Should this be true? Key Verse: 1 Thess. 4:1 Big Idea: Disciples work to grow in their relationship with God Discuss: How did you go looking for an opportunity to practically serve in some way this week? Is there an area of church life you would like to commit to serve in, either now or in the future? Investigate: Read 1 Thessalonians 4: In verse 1, what is it that Paul asks and urges the Thessalonians to do? 2. Paul puts this another way in the first half of verse 3: a) He says the will of God for them is. b) What do you think this means in practice? 3. a) How are Christians not to use their bodies and sexual desires? b) How are Christians to use their bodies and sexual desires? c) What motives or reasons does Paul provide (vv. 6-8)? 18

19 4. a) Something else Paul wants the Thessalonians to do more and more is love one another (vv. 9-10). What kind of love do you think Paul has in mind in verses 9-12, and what does it involve? b) Why are things like quiet living, taking care of your own affairs and working, examples of this kind of love? 5. In 2:11-12 Paul reminds the Thessalonians of how he exhorted, encouraged and charged them to live lives worthy of God, who calls you into his kingdom and glory. Here in 4:12, Paul wants their life to win the respect of outsiders. Why are our actions so important? Think & Apply: This week s practical assignment is to fill out the Personal Growth Plan. You can find this on the last page of the study booklet. Spend some time in your group discussing the different categories on the Personal Growth Plan: 6. What is one specific thing you would like to do this year to grow spiritually? 7. What is one specific thing you would like to do this year to grow in making Disciples? 8. What is one thing you would like to do this year to grow in serving in the life and activities of church? Assignment: This week, finish filling out your Personal Growth Plan, and think about how you can start to put it into action straight away. Prayer: - Pray for the spiritual growth of all the members of your group - Continue to pray for the people you would like to see become disciples Read Ahead: For next week s sermon and growth group, read 1 Thess. 4:13 5:11 Coming Up: Commitment Sunday 2014 (Sunday November 16). 19

20 STUDY 5 1 Thessalonians 4:13 5:11 Disciples Hope Kick Off: Think back to a big event in your life (e.g. final exams, the first day of a new job, a wedding). What did you have to do to get ready for that event? Key Verse: 1 Thess. 5:8 Big Idea: Disciples live in light of the return of Jesus Discuss: Turn to your Personal Growth Plan from last week, and share one or two things that you have written in it with the group. Investigate: Read 1 Thessalonians 5: How will the day of the Lord come (vv. 1-3)? 2. Why should Christians not be surprised by this day (vv. 4-5)? 3. Paul says that Christians should not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be awake and sober (v. 6). a) What do you think Paul means here by the word sleep? Is this different to the way he used the word in 4:13-18? b) What do you think he means when he says we are to be awake and sober? c) Why is being awake and sober the only appropriate way of life for Christians? 4. One way we can be sober is by putting on faith and love as a breastplate and the hope of salvation as a helmet (v. 8). a) What is the essence of the Christian faith and hope of salvation (vv. 9-10)? 20

21 b) Why do you think we needed Christ to die for us? How does his death help us? c) How do you think faith, love and hope can be like armour and help us to be sober? Think & Apply: 5. Does this reminder of the return of Jesus make you think about the way you are investing your life? What would you like to invest more in? What would you like to invest less in? 6. In verse 11, Paul concludes by instructing the Thessalonians to encourage one another and build each other up. (See also 4:18). What are some practical ways you can be helping each other be awake and sober, ready for the Lord s return? Assignment: Read through the Projects for 2014 section towards the start of the study booklet. These projects are ways that Lakeshore Church could be more effective in Making, Maturing and Mobilising Disciples of Jesus over the next year. In preparation for Commitment Sunday, think about which projects you would like to support with your times, talents or treasure over the next year. Prayer: - Thank God for the sure and certain hope we have in Christ - Pray for each other to be living wisely in light of Jesus return - Pray that God will use Lakeshore Church to Makes, Mature and Mobilise Disciples of Jesus more and more over the next year. Read Ahead: For next week s sermon and growth group, read 1 Thess. 5:12-28 Coming Up: Commitment Sunday 2014 (Sunday November 16). 21

22 STUDY 6 1 Thessalonians 5:12-28 Disciples Commit Kick Off: When you think of church, what comes to mind? What sorts of things do you think the church should be doing? Key Verse: 1 Thess. 5:23 Big Idea: Disciples commit to the cause of Christ by counting the cost. Discuss: Discuss the Projects for 2014 which are listed towards the start of the study booklet. Which are you particularly enthusiastic about? Investigate: Read 1 Thessalonians 5: In 5:12-13, Paul speaks about the place of leadership in the church. a) According to Paul, what is Christian leadership about? b) How are we to respond to this sort of loving service? Why? 2. What other instructions does Paul give in verses 13-15? a) Be at. b) the idle. c) the fainthearted (or timid ). d) the weak. e) with them all (or everyone ). f) See to it/make sure that. g) But always. h) Who should be doing all these things? i) How can people be doing all these things, and be so involved with each other s lives, and yet still be at peace with each other? 22

23 3. Paul also says that God s will for the Thessalonians is that they rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances (vv ). a) What reason do they have for being so full of joy and thanks - giving? (also v ) b) Why do you think being joyful, prayerful and thankful are such important things, particularly for a church facing persecution? (See also 1:6.) c) Why would not doing these things quench the Spirit (v. 19)? 4. Another way to quench the Spirit is to despise prophecies (v. 20), perhaps meaning the words of insight, instruction, encouragement and even rebuke which he has just urged them to speak (vv ). a) How should we test prophecy, and everything else? b) How does this instruction apply to us as we meet with other Christians in church, small groups, etc.? Think & Apply: 5. This passage describes deep, committed relationships between fellow disciples. What are some obstacles that prevent us from developing these kinds of relationships within the church? What can we do to overcome such obstacles? 6. Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances (vv ). Make a list of ways you can promote joy, prayer and thanksgiving in your church. Assignment: How can you ensure that the things you have learned during this series aren t quickly lost? In particular, what is a good way to keep praying and working on: - Your list of people that you would like to see become disciples? - Your Personal Growth Plan? Prayer: - Pray that we will be able to count the cost of discipleship together - Pray for the different ideas raised during tonight s discussion - Pray that the things learned during this series will not be quickly forgotten Read Ahead: For next week s sermon and growth group, read 2 Thessalonians 1:1-12 Coming Up: Community Carols (Sunday afternoon, December 14) 23

24 10 Ways to Speak the Truth in Love By Col Marshall & Tony Payne The New Testament envisages that all Christian disciples will be prayerful speakers of God s word, in a multitude of different ways and contexts. In each context, the message is essentially the same. It s not as if we come to know Christ through the gospel word but then use a fundamentally different message to encourage each other as Christians. The word of God, the message that he has revealed in and through Christ by his Spirit this is what converts us, and it is also what causes us to grow, bearing the fruit of godliness. The vine grows, both in the number of leaves and in their quality and maturity, through the word and Spirit through God s truth being heard, and the Spirit making it effective in people s hearts. This happens in our gatherings, but it also happens day by day as Christians speak the truth to each other and exhort one another to stay strong (Eph 4:25; Heb 3:13). It happens in the home as fathers bring up their children in the discipline and instruction of the Lord (Eph 6:4). It happens in the world as we proclaim the excellencies of Christ before the nations (1 Pet 2:9), or engage in gracious, salty conversations with outsiders (Col 4:5-6), or give gentle, respectful answers about the Christian hope (1 Pet 3:15-16). Let s pause for a moment, and tease out what this means in practice. Here, off the top of my head, are ten ways in which any Christian might speak the truth in love to someone else in the name of Christ, and thus participate in God s great work in the world: Geoff is asked by his workmate Peter what he did on the weekend, and he replies that he heard an excellent sermon in church that helped him understand for the first time what was really wrong with the world. When Peter asks him to elaborate, Geoff explains why sin and God s judgement explain the problems in our world. Geoff continues to pray for Peter that these sorts of opportunities would continue and that Peter s heart would be softened to respond to the message. Sarah s teenage son is having real problems at high school, and as they talk about it at night, she reassures him that God is stronger and more faithful than any friend, and prays with him. Bill is chatting to George after church, and shares with him how encouraged he was by a particular verse in the Bible that day. Michael meets one to one every fortnight over breakfast with his mate Steve, who is a newish Christian. They use the Just for Starters set of Bible studies to work through some of the basic issues of living the Christian life. Alison is worried about her friend Debbie, who struggles with anxiety and has been missing church quite a lot. Alison writes her a one- page letter, offering encouragement, quoting a few Bible verses, and offering to get together to pray. Warren goes to a Bible study group each week at Jim s house with six other people. He makes sure that he has read and thought about the passage before he goes, and prays that God would help him to say true and encouraging things in the group. 24

25 Irene is quite elderly and finds it hard to get out, but she phones her friend Jean every second day, talks to her about the Bible passage she has read that morning and prays with her over the phone. Clare has been praying for her friend Shirley for months, and finally invites her to an evangelistic evening that her church is running. On the way home in the car, Clare talks to Shirley about the message, and does her best to answer Shirley s questions. Trevor rearranges his work schedule so that he can take Wednesday morning off to teach Scripture classes in his local primary school. He and his wife end up doing this for many years, and have an enormous impact on the lives of kids and teachers at their local school. At Phil s church, they take a few minutes during the Sunday meeting for a congregation member to give a testimony or to bring an encouraging word to the congregation. This Sunday it s Phil s turn, and he tells how the teaching of Ephesians 5 has turned his marriage around. The names and details have been changed slightly, but these are real examples of Christians prayerfully bringing the truth of God to other people. It can happen at home, at work, over the back fence, at church, in small groups, in a coffee shop anywhere. But that it happens is vital, because this is the work of the Lord ; this is the Great Commission in action; this is the vine work that all Christians can and should be engaged in. For those who like to think more systematically, here s another way of looking at the different ways Christians can be involved in prayerfully bringing the word of God to others. We all exist in three spheres or contexts of life: our family or home life; our interaction with friends, colleagues, neighbours and the wider community; and fellowship with God s people in our congregations. How might we speak the truth of God s word in each of these contexts? 25

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27 PERSONAL GROWTH PLAN 2014 MATURITY Area Spiritual Growth Target Frequency/Quantity E.g. daily time of Bible reading, reflection & prayer daily Further Notes Area Support and Accountability Target Frequency/Quantity E.g. Catch up with someone to read the bible fortnightly Further Notes MAKING Area Sharing in the Community (neighbours, workmates, school families etc) Target Frequency/Quantity E.g. invite neighbours for a BBQ 2 x year Further Notes MOBILISING Area Serving in the life & Activities of church Target Frequency/Quantity E.g. serve in a new area at church Once a month Further Notes 27

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