Study Questions – Reach Sunday (7.17.22)
Seeing the Opportunities
Matt. 28:18-20
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. One of the amazing things that happen in our lives from going on short-term trips is how God grows our ability to share the gospel back home. We often go to be a blessing and an encouragement to partners and to help in their work. But, time and time again, the powerful stories that are told are that of increased gospel bravery and awareness in the places we call home. We believe that short-term opportunities are important in helping us to follow Jesus in a life-defining way. We can think about it this way, we go for one week to be trained for the 51 other weeks of our lives. The gospel is the greatest news we could ever hear, so let’s be found faithful to proclaim it. Let’s be faithful to look for and see the opportunities that God puts in our lives.
GETTING STARTED – This morning, you heard stories about how people’s lives and walks with God were changed by going on short-term opportunities. As you begin your time together, talk about a story or an experience that was shared that resonated with 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.
*Note – When reading the Great Commission, it can appear that the primary command is that to “go.” However, in the original text, the emphasis is on “make.” To get a sense of how that might sound in English, try reading the verse this way, And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. As you are going, make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
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?
When we consider the presence of the Great Commission in our lives, we need to be able to put a name on it. Ask yourself this question, who are three people in my life that I run into regularly and have a good relationship with that need to hear the gospel?
List those people out:
1.
2.
3.
Now, commit to praying for them regularly. What should you pray? Try this simple prayer, Lord, would you move and work in ______’s life today, and would you give me an opportunity to share about your love with them?