Sermon Tone Analysis

HELPING OTHERS FIND CHRIST

God passionately desires to see all people embrace Christ and find salvation through Him.

So He invites His children to partner with Him through their natural relationships.

As insiders in our own culture and spheres of influence, we are strategically placed to introduce our friends and acquaintances to the Lover of their souls — through our deeds as well as our words.

“God didn’t go to all the trouble of sending his Son merely to point an accusing finger, telling the world how bad it was.

He came to help, to put the world right again.”

(, MSG)

PARTNERING WITH GOD

1.

What is God’s overarching purpose and plan for all people?

()

ANSWER: The Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Jesus Christ.

2. What was God’s purpose in sending Jesus?

ANSWER: to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many.

ANSWER: to seek and to save what was lost.

ANSWER: that all may have life, and have it to the full.

3.

In Jesus’ prayer just before He went to the cross, how did He describe the part His followers would play in working out God’s purposes among those who don’t know Christ yet?

()

ANSWER: We have been sent into the world, protected from the evil one, to be sanctified by His word which is truth.

We are sent into the world so that those who will believe will be made one, just as Jesus and the Father are one.

We are sent into the world so that all may be brought into complete unity and know that they are loved.

4. Why is it critically important to share Christ with others?

(; )

ANSWER: Because no one comes to the Father except through Christ for salvation if found in no one else . . .

there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.

5.

When we share Christ with others, we are entering into God’s ongoing work in their lives.

How is the Holy Spirit actively engaged in preparing people’s hearts to receive Christ?

John 3:5-8

ANSWER: The Holy spirit works in people’s hearts to prepare them and help them receive the truth of God’s Word in Christ.

ANSWER: The Holy Spirit convicts the world of guilt in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment: in regard to sin, because men do not believe in me; in regard to righteousness because I am going to the Father, where you can see me no longer; and in regard to judgment, because the prince of this world now stands condemned.

ANSWER: The Holy Spirit deeply convicts and reveals power.

6. Read .

What is the best preparation for sharing Christ with others?

Explain.

ANSWER:

ANSWER: Following Christ.

OVERCOMING OBSTACLES

As we partner with God, many of us face obstacles within our own hearts.

Some of us associate almost entirely with believers because our fears and busyness keep us from forming quality relationships outside our religious circles.

We may fear exposing our own struggles, sins, and weaknesses.

Christ will help us overcome these obstacles as we follow Him into our needy world.

7. Read .

a. What kinds of people did Jesus associate with?

ANSWER: Tax collectors and sinners

b.

How did Jesus interact with them?

ANSWER: He ate with them

c.

List several people you know (friends, family members, classmates, neighbors, coworkers, social acquaintances) who have not yet met Christ.

ANSWER: Brady, Hayden, Ariel, Vicente, Emma, Collin, James, ....

PRAYER PAUSE

If you have few unbelieving friends or family members, ask God to lead you into association with people with whom you can share Jesus and demonstrate His love.

8. Read the parable of the weeds, in which Jesus talks about living as members of His family in the midst of those who do not know Christ.

Why do you think God wants us (the wheat) to continue to grow together with unbelievers (the weeds)?

(, )

ANSWER: Because we can be made stronger when together with the weeds and some of the

ANSWER:

ANSWER: Without reading something into this there is no answer to the question posed.

9.

As you live for Christ among unbelievers, which of these fears (if any) do you have?

Being rejected

Exposing your inadequacy in talking about the gospel

Exposing your own feelings

Exposing the flaws in yourself or your spiritual life

Saying the wrong thing

Being stereotyped and labeled as intolerant

Losing friendship

Failing

Adding more stress to your busy life

Negatively affecting your family by involving them with the unbelieving culture

Being contaminated or losing holiness

Living outside your comfort zone

Fearing other believers’ disapproval

Other fears?

ANSWER:

10.

What encourages you from Paul’s example of openness and vulnerability about his own struggles?

(; ; )

ANSWER: He struggled just like any of us and he did not give up but continued to press through.

LIVING AS AN INSIDER

11.

What kind of lifestyle will reveal Christ and attract people to Him as God works out His purposes in and through us? ()

ANSWER: A blameless and pure life that shine’s God’s glory.

12.

What practical guidelines for relating naturally to others do you see in these verses?

ANSWER: We need to keep our saltiness (difference, taste, purity) and be a light that is set up to shine God’s glory.

ANSWER: Love everyone!

ANSWER: Love my enemies and do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse me and mistreat me.

Give to those who need, and treat others as you would want to be treated.

The simple act of greeting people by name can open up opportunities to develop deeper relationships with them.

Lean the names of three people you would not ordinarily greet and write them here.

Take the initiation to greet these people several times in the coming weeks.

Write down what happens.

Then look for small initiatives (a meal, an act of kindness, just listening) that you could take to strengthen these relationships.

13.

Early believers were recognized as followers of Christ by outsiders because of the quality of their love and their acts of service.

Summarize in your own words the main point of .

ANSWER: Love above everything else.

14.

Consider practical ways you could imitate Christ’s servant heart by serving those around you.

As you read over this list of biblical acts of service, write the names of any unbelievers you could serve in this way.

Give your time

ANSWER: Fixing things for people

Offer hospitality

ANSWER: Invite people over for food and relationship

Stop and listen, being fully present

ANSWER: to the hurting

Weep and rejoice with people

ANSWER: to those going through a hard time

Show mercy instead of judgment

ANSWER:

Speak the truth in love