Monday Family Night June 26, 2017 FAMILY NIGHT OUTLINE Please share your Family Night pictures on social media with the hashtag, #HarvestFamilyNight! Family Prayer Family Night Bible Study Topic Supporting the Work of the Lord Lesson Outline Introduction I. What is the Work of the Lord? II. III. IV. As Christians We are Called to Support The Victorious Outcome of Support of God s Work Final Reflections V. Prayer of Salvation If you give your life to Christ, please come to the altar during altar call at the next service. VI. Closing Prayer Family Matters (Special time set aside to discuss whatever is on everyone s mind) Family Night Activity (Play board games, Uno, Charades, walk, ride bikes, etc.)
OPENING PRAYER (Have someone open up in prayer) FAMILY NIGHT BIBLE STUDY Note: All scripture references are from the King James Version (KJV) unless otherwise noted. Topic: Supporting the Work of the Lord Key Verses: John 14:12 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father. 1 Corinthians 15:58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord. INTRODUCTION LESSON OUTLINE Welcome to Family Night Bible Study! Today we will discuss Supporting the Work of the Lord. When our Lord Jesus departed the earth, He left His disciples to complete the work that He started. Supporting God s work is vital for every believer and is a significant factor in pleasing God, living a life for Christ and advancing the Kingdom of God. The lesson tonight is designed to provide discussion and insight concerning the importance of living out the call of support for the work of God and advancement of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I. What Is the Work of the Lord? Work, in general, is the activity involving mental or physical effort done in order to achieve a purpose or result and is a part of God s created order for humanity (Genesis 2:5,15). It is patterned after God Himself (Exodus 20:11; Hebrews 4:3-4; Revelation 15:3) and gives us purposeful function in the natural sense. The Work of the Lord is the specific assignment and mission of our Lord Jesus Christ for the purpose of redeeming the lost souls of mankind and establishing the Kingdom of God. This undertaking concerning redemption, recovery and establishment of the Will of God was started with Jesus ministry here on Earth. Listen to what He declared in St. Luke 14: Luke 4:18-19 The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, To preach the acceptable year of the Lord.
Jesus accomplished the works of His Father during His earthly ministry (John 4:34; 5:17; 5:36; 10:32-37; 14:10-13; 17:4). But it is also clear that God gives us work to accomplish during our earthly sojourn (Acts 13:2; 1 Corinthians 16:10; Ephesians 2:10).God has appointed us over the works of His hands (Genesis 1:27-28; Hebrews 2:7) and we are called to please God by bearing fruit in every good work (Colossians 1:10; Hebrews 13:21). Our work will be tested and rewarded by God (1 Corinthians 3:13-15) and we must work for the food which endures to eternal life (John 6:27-29). We are called to do our work as unto the Lord instead of seeking to impress and please people (Ephesians 6:5-8; Colossians 3:23-24). We are called to be led of the Spirit of God as we embrace our holy or divine calling. 2 Timothy 1:9 Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began Bringing forth the Work of the Lord requires the giving of time, energy and physical effort in order to advance the mission of Christ. It is the effort dedicated to promote an undertaking or program which may involve intensive labor and upholding or defending its principles. Work is a spiritual vehicle that allows the disciples of Christ, you and me, to actually bring God s plan to manifestation. It is the very instrument that will cause Kingdom initiatives to come to pass. When Jesus left the earth, He declared to His followers: Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father John 14:12 In this passage, the Lord Jesus was specifically speaking concerning the people of God coming out of their comfort zone, putting their hand to the plow and not looking back (Luke 9:62). If we are going to see thousands of souls saved, people delivered from bondage and addiction, buildings built, life-changing conferences and great ministry come forth it s going to take support! Support involves the lending of your personal gifts, talents, and abilities so that the God s desired results for the Body of Christ and world at-large can be accomplished. The following are some of the things that can come to pass when we all, together, support Kingdom objectives! Programs to ease world suffering (salvation, hunger, homelessness) Having a successful Missions Center in Kenya Effective Prison Ministry Community Outreach Programs reaching souls for Christ Programs for guiding children in Christian principles Building a New Worship Center Powerful conferences and events Programs for domestic issues / development (marriage, parenting, etc.) Christian Education programs And the list goes on
Things cannot happen without proper support. It is imperative that God s people roll up their sleeves and get to work! Do something! James 1:22 But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. II. As Christians We are Called to Support 1 Corinthians 15:58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord. When the Work of the Lord is accomplished, it benefits others and honors God. It is in this activity that we present our witness of Christ through our lives and express our identities as people made in the image of God. True importance and honor is not found in position or prestige, but in the heart of the believer. It is important for every Christian to know that you have the calling of support on your life. God left us here after salvation to work together to win others to Christ (Ephesians 4:12) and bring forth Kingdom work. And not only that but through the work of support we become that body that God has designed us to be individually and collectively. Living out the call of support is when an individual actively helps in ministry by lending their time and energy while providing talent, provision and / or leadership towards a ministry objective. The call of support furnishes power, resources and activity that keep things going. Our Current Challenge at Harvest Life Concerning the WORK of the LORD The Harvest Life Family is participating in the Work of the Lord in many ways. Our largest challenge, currently, is completing our brand new worship center! This new worship center represents a new ministry level! Thousands of souls will be saved, people will be delivered from addictions, children will be trained, marriages will be restored and more through the power of God! We are asking that our entire church family support our construction efforts financially on August 13, 2017 at our Special Giving Day! We are asking for all of our members to give at least $1,000, our leaders $1,500 and our ministers $2,000 for the Work of the Lord. Here are some other ways you can support this effort: 1. Praying for the Pastors and Church concerning our transition 2. Praying for our Chief of Transition Director, Pastor Deborah Dukes 3. Praying for the construction of the new worship center 4. Praying for and helping to sell our current building 5. Dedicating time to learn and work in the ministry you will be in at the new worship center 6. Witnessing to someone about salvation in Jesus Christ 7. Inviting someone to church 8. Helping out with ministry plans and events concerning the transition 9. Using your gifts for the Kingdom of God 10. Giving in your tithing and offerings 11. Giving of our finances to see our new worship center completed
III. The Victorious Outcome of Support of God s Work James 2:17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. The essence of support is to render, release or give so that ministry can come forth. When this undertaking occurs it sets in motion a spiritual force that brings about a victorious outcome. People really never know the full impact of their support. We will do things and walk away after it is done. But God uses what we have done to set in motion a series of powerful blessings and powerful outcome for people and communities for years to come! Psalm 64:9 And all men shall fear, and shall declare the work of God; for they shall wisely consider of his doing. Our job is to provide the support but know that God may have greater things in store! God will also honor us for the provision of support. But whatever you do, keep on working because God will reward in the end. Matthew 25:20-21 And so he that had received five talents came and brought other five talents, saying, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents: behold, I have gained beside them five talents more. His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. Family Discussion: 1. What is the Work of the Lord? 2. What are some practical ways to support? 3. What blessings come from support? IV. FINAL REFLECTIONS John 6:28-29 Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God? Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent. A Christian s call concerning the Work of the Lord should be an essential mandate that is lived out. It is required by God throughout the Bible and is primary in Pastoral teaching. Idleness is viewed as a vice and sometimes sin. Because we live in a challenging, sinful world, there will be times that work and ministry will require a degree of sacrifice and extreme effort. But know this, the people of God will receive satisfaction and joy as well as reward as they maintain their labor in Christ. Jeremiah 51:10 The LORD hath brought forth our righteousness: come, and let us declare in Zion the work of the LORD our God.
V. PRAYER OF SALVATION Does anyone want to receive Christ as your personal Savior right now? (Wait for any responses.) If yes, let s follow these simple steps: 1. First, confess with your mouth by saying, Jesus is my Lord. 2. Next, repeat this Prayer of Salvation (Ask them to repeat after you): Lord Jesus, I repent and turn from my sins, and I ask for your forgiveness. I invite you to come into my heart and life. Wash me clean and fill me with your Holy Spirit, and I will trust and follow you as my Lord and Savior. Thank you Jesus for saving me and giving me eternal life. In Jesus Name. Amen. 3. Now, declare it! Say, I am saved!!! Congratulations! You have made the greatest decision of your life and the best is yet to come! *If you gave your life to Christ, please come to the altar during altar call at the next service. VI. CLOSING PRAYER (Have someone close out the Bible Study in prayer. Ask if anyone has a special prayer request, like an upcoming test or an issue on the job.) Family Matters (Special time to just talk!) So, let s talk! What s on your mind? This is a special time to discuss any family matters, concerns, hot topics, etc. Give everyone an opportunity to express themselves and to ask questions then lead them to an understanding in Christ. Family Night Activity (Whatever you choose to do as a family) Let the games begin! Now that we ve had an awesome Bible Study and talked about a few important (or perhaps not so important) family matters, let s continue to spend quality time together as a family! Some suggestions include board games, Uno, go for a walk or ride bikes, play charades, etc. Whatever you do, enjoy yourselves!