We are currently looking at the Book of Acts in our SOAP bible reading program (refer to a passage you’ve read). Acts refers to a group of Holy Spirit empowered people doing and ministering and generally Living Beyond Themselves.
Please discuss a passage from Acts that you have found personally inspiring? Why was it inspiring to you?
Recently, in the Living Beyond Myself series we looked at Jesus model and example to us. As we read through the gospels we see that Jesus intention and His example to us was that we would look for opportunities to represent Him well.
When we look at Jesus life and teachings we find for example, thirteen of Jesus’ parables, mention servants.
In six of these, the principal thrust is servanthood . The first is Matthew 25:4-30, the parable of the talents .
Two men invested their master’s money well and doubled his return. One man buried his talent. The master commended the industrious servants, but called the one who buried his talent “wicked” and “lazy.” Ask each person to name one treasure within their lives. If the group know each other well, you might ask people to suggest a treasure or talents in someone else’s life that they have been touched by.
When Paul wrote to a group of Churches in Galatia, just north of the Mediterranean Sea, he wrote as a Jew and religious leader who becomes a follower of Christ and understands both sides of law and grace.
Gal 5v13: 13 For you have been called to live in freedom—not freedom to satisfy your sinful nature, but freedom to serve one another in love . 14 For the whole law can be summed up in this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” 15 But if instead of showing love among yourselves you are always biting and devouring one another, watch out! Beware of destroying one another.The leaders of the Church were trying to merge their knowledge of the Law, (the Book of Leviticus which contains a lot ‘to do’s etc’ but if you condense Leviticus its intention is for us to ‘Love our neighbours as ourselves’) with Jesus as Messiah and some now reconcile what it all meant for them, now that they are Christ followers. What are some benefits of serving others?
We need to remember that our relationship vertically is reflected and measured by our relationships horizontally and when we choose to do something freely it gives us an opportunity to make an impact relationally. Please take a few minutes to remind the group about the benefits of serving,
What happens to Me When I Live Beyond Myself?
- I Bless and Honour God
"A good action not only brings good fortune – it brings God’s attention." ~ Max Lucado
Mt 5v16: ‘in the same way let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven’ .
- I Serve Others
Mt 25v45 reminds us that whenever we serve others we are actually ministering to God
- I am an Example to Others
Francis of Assisi said ‘Preach the gospel on every occasion…and use words if necessary’ .
- I Build The Church
1 Cor 15v58 Message: ‘Throw yourselves into the work of the Master, confident that nothing you do for Him is a waste of time or effort’ .
Other Discussion Points - Ask the group how they have felt when they did something that ‘showed who God is’
- Ask the group to commit to one thing that will make an impact relationally
- Pray for opportunities that would come naturally and provide an outlet to Live Beyond Ourselves
- Discuss the Ministry Opportunities Brochure, you can pick one up from the stands in the Street Area.
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