Reach Sunday (Nov. 2024) – Study Questions
Reach Sunday
11.24.2024
Guest Speaker: James Petersen
INTRODUCTION: Reach Sunday is a time for us to focus as a body on the outward call for us as a church and as individual Christians, that is, the call of the Great Commission (Matt. 28:18-20). As a church, we believe in the importance of that call and the responsibility of believers to engage it as Jesus commanded. That means that we look for opportunities to share the gospel in the everyday places that we go and to join in gospel-advancing work to the ends of the earth. We join in that “ends of the earth” work by praying for, financially supporting, and going to serve alongside global partners for short periods of time. We also join God in his Great Commission Calling on our lives when we love the sojourner in our own neighborhoods and communities.
The Great Commission commands believers to “go” and make disciples. Does that mean we need to travel to be obedient to Jesus’ words? Possibly, if God uniquely calls you to that. More specifically, the emphasis of “go” is better understood as “as you are going.” That is, as you go about your normal everyday life, be intentional in making disciples. So, where do you go on a regular basis, and whom do you meet there? Are we being purposeful to engage those around us who don’t know Jesus? This Reach Sunday, we will hear from James Petersen, Executive Director of IMA Personnel with Reach Global. He works hands on with individuals and teams who are ministering around the world. This will be an encouraging time for all of us to be refreshed in our understanding of God’s heart for the nations.
GETTING STARTED – As you get started in your group time, share about how you came to faith in Christ. And, who was the person who presented the gospel to you?
IN THE WORD – Let’s dig back into the passage. It is important to strengthen our muscles in reading God’s Word. On Sunday, we walked through the passage in the sermon. Hopefully, that helped you to see the landmarks of the passage with fresh eyes. Now, with your group, go back through it and see what God is saying to you specifically.
First, before you read the passage, take a moment to ask God’s Spirit to quiet your mind and heart and to illuminate the text to you. Second, read the passage aloud to the group. Then, follow the simple method below. (O.P.A)
Observe: Make 8-10 observations from the passage. Pay close attention to observe and note repeated words and phrases, names, places, and themes.
Principles: From your list of observations, what patterns or big ideas do you see emerging? Can you distill it down into 2-4 big idea truths?
Apply: Moving from your list of principles, it is time to apply God’s Word. Remember, we believe that God’s Word is living and active and that it can change the way we live Monday- Friday. What is one tangible way to apply a truth from your list above?
Some questions to help with your discussion:
- What is something that stood out to you from the service on Sunday morning?
- When you read Jesus’ command in Matt. 28:18-20, what stands out to you about his words?
- Part of “going” in Matt. 28:19 is the going of our everyday lives. Do you see your regular encounters throughout the week as gospel opportunities? Why or why not?
- What is one intentional step you could take to increase your awareness of those opportunities?
- As you go throughout your days and week, does it hit you that the people you talk with and bump into are eternal people? That all people will live eternally, either with God or apart from him. How does that truth inform your posture and perspective for others?
- How often do you think about or pray for those who have followed God’s call to carry the gospel to the end of the earth? How might you take an intentional step in praying for and supporting them this week?