Bring

5Bs Week 2 – BRING

We also want to be like Christ in how we fulfill the mission he gave us, so we studied what Jesus did and built our strategy around what we found. Jesus spoke to the masses, but he made disciples by building and developing relationships; discipleship is done through relationships. Our strategic plan is relationally intensive and our pathway to fulfill our mission is pictured as being centered and driven by a heart of love, and is characterized by 5 ongoing stages:

Jesus did and built our strategy around what we found. Jesus spoke to the masses, but he made

disciples by building and developing relationships; discipleship is done through relationships. Our

The Gospel of John helps us see that the first thing Jesus did to make disciples was to begin to Build relationships with a small group of men. So the “leading” referred to in our mission statement begins when each person at Open Door who is serious about their desire to Become like Christ begins to demonstrate that love to others by building relationships with people who don’t know Jesus. Because of the love we have for our family, friends, co-workers, neighbors, etc., we Build relationships with them, serve them, and model CHRIST to them. God’s love flows through relationships and it is this prayerful and loving investment into another person’s life that opens that person up to the love of God. We want to help them experience the love and grace of God in tangible ways and explore what they believe about Jesus. This often leads to spiritual conversations that directly relate to their spiritual questions and concerns and offer opportunities for us to lovingly share the gospel. The Holy Spirit will open opportunities for us to verbally share the gospel as we show his love in tangible ways.

We are following Jesus’ execution of the 5 B’s in His relationship with Peter throughout the gospels. This week, we’ll look at how Jesus BRINGS Peter into his ministry.

strategic plan is relationally intensive and our pathway to fulfill our mission is pictured as being

centered and driven by a heart of love, and is characterized by 5 ongoing stages:

We are following Jesus’ execution of the 5 B’s in His relationship with Peter throughout the gospels. This week, we’ll look at how Jesus BRINGS Peter into his ministry.

Matthew 4:18–20 ESV

18 While walking by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon (who is called Peter) and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. 19 And he said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” 20 Immediately they left their nets and followed him.

18 As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. 19 “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” 20 At once they left their nets and followed him.

When Jesus says “follow me”, he is literally saying come behind me. There’s an implication that he wants these guys to observe and absorb what he’s doing. Remember, Jesus had met these guys before, but this is where he goes to the next step and sends out an invitation. He brings them into his ministry. Jesus invites Peter to leave where he’s comfortable to follow him, to bring him into his ministry.

These spiritual conversations also make it more natural for us to Bring them to a LifeGroup, Worship Service, Bring Event, or just relational activities with other believers where they can more readily experience this love and encounter God. In the Gospels we see Jesus Bringing the disciples with him to where he was preaching and doing ministry; he did this for three years. So we continue to lovingly invest in people’s lives. This could take weeks and this could take years; what is important is that we are intentionally reaching out in love to Build redemptive relationships with lost people, sharing the gospel and seeking to Bring them into an environment where they can experience the life and love of God: the church. All the while we are praying, listening to the Holy Spirit and looking for opportunities to share the gospel. Few people surrender their life to Christ the very first time they hear the gospel. So we need to continue to practice loving acceptance coupled with sharing our faith. The more they interact with other believers, the more they experience the love of God and start to feel they Belong

will open opportunities for us to verbally share the gospel as we show his love in tangible ways. These spiritual conversations also make it more natural for us to Bring them to a LifeGroup, Worship Service, Bring Event, or just relational activities with other believers where they can more readily experience this love and encounter God. In the Gospels we see Jesus Bringing the disciples with him to where he was preaching and doing ministry; he did this for three years. So we continue to lovingly invest in people’s lives. This could take weeks and this could take years; what is important is that we are intentionally reaching out in love to Build redemptive relationships with lost people, sharing the gospel and seeking to Bring them into an environment where they can experience the life and love of God: the church. All the while we are praying, listening to the Holy Spirit and looking for opportunities to share the gospel. Few people surrender their life to Christ the very first time they hear the gospel. So we need to continue to practice loving acceptance coupled with sharing our faith. The more they interact with other believers, the more they experience the love of God and start to feel they Belong

What Can We Learn From This?

In the step after BUILDing his relationship with Peter, he keeps things relational. He doesn’t get to know Peter and then just recommend a class or give him a book. While those things can be really helpful, Jesus sets the example of BRINGing by inviting Peter to follow him. By saying “come behind me”, he’s welcoming them to be somewhere he’s going to be. In fact, he’s inviting them to pretty much always be wherever he’s going. We can follow this example by inviting people that we’ve built relationships with to things that we’re already going to like church, youth group, a small group/bible study, game night, church event, etc.

Challenge For Students:

1. Why is it difficult to invite friends to church?

2. How can we address or overcome those difficulties?

3. Who can you bring to youth group, church, etc.

Introduce The Impossible Shot