Date: April 7, 2024
The Mission of Jesus Shared
The Point: The truth about Jesus is too big to keep to ourselves.
Get Into the Study
Read this story before asking the opening question.
Harlem Scott is an eight-year-old student in Luling, Louisiana. She was recently asked to be brave and speak on stage during a school trip to the Lafon Arts Center. No one gave her time to prepare, but she was up to the challenge. While it seemed like she was picked randomly, there was more planning in this introduction.
The host told her she would introduce the special guest for the presentation. Without knowing who she was introducing, she repeated, “Welcome to our special guest.” From the far side of the stage, the guest emerged from the dark and began to walk towards her. The next word out of Harlem’s mouth was “Mommy!”
Harlem’s mom surprised her daughter after a nine-month military deployment in the Middle East. While still wearing her Army fatigues and carrying a teddy bear as a gift, Army Specialist Ralea Scott reunited with her daughter. While everyone in the room was moved by the moment, no one was more excited than Harlem.
She was honored to welcome the guest but was even more excited to receive such a surprise. She delivered an exciting announcement that blessed all who heard it.
When have you been able to deliver some really good news?
https://www.kltv.com/2023/12/05/watch-soldier-surprises-daughter-with-homecoming-louisiana-school/
Study the Bible
As you discuss Question 4 (Alternate question in the Daily Discipleship Guide), share the following.
The International Mission Board (IMB) has recently announced plans to engage people groups with the gospel with an aggressive effort. Project 3000 is a planned attempt to initiate contact with “3,072 unengaged and unreached people groups. Of this number, 784 groups have no Scripture in their heart language.”
The IMB is looking for a batch of workers, and they are calling them Explorers. Their task will be to dedicate two years to traveling into unknown areas to discover these new people groups with the plan to create strategies for reaching them.
Ray Henry Holiday has agreed to serve Project 3000. His heart for missions began in high school and has only intensified since. As he sets out with minimal supplies and unknown settings, he believes he is simply following the path that Jesus sent his disciples to follow.
Holiday stated, “It’s a hard job, and that is part of the reason why I felt called to it. I feel like I have the gifting and ability. There is a great need. There is no one going to these folks.”
Stories like Ray’s should motivate us to consider our giftings as well. Maybe you could consider being an Explorer. If that is not feasible for you now, have you considered how God has positioned you where you are to take the gospel to those around you?
Explorers go to deepest parts of spiritual lostness – IMB
Travis Agnew is a disciple of Jesus, husband to Amanda, dad to the Agnew 3, and Lead Pastor or Rocky Creek Church in Greenville, SC. He loves writing about faith and family at travisagnew.org.
Additional Questions
Icebreaker
- When was there a time in which you could not wait to tell others some exciting news?
- When have you been able to deliver some really good news?
- When have you received some news that was too good to keep to yourself?
- What celebrity or group did you “geek out” over when you were younger?
Luke 24:44-45
- What are the implications of having our minds opened to the truth of Scripture?
- Where do you go when you need help understanding and applying God’s Word?
- When have you read a Bible verse that “spoke” especially to you?
- When has God opened your eyes to the deeper meaning of Scripture?
- How can Scripture be used today to share with others the message of Jesus?
Luke 24:46-47
- How can we discern if we have accepted the message of repentance and forgiveness?
- Why is it important to proclaim this message to all nations?
- How would you summarize the message of the gospel?
- Who first explained to you the gospel of salvation?
- Why are repentance and forgiveness the proper responses to the gospel?
- What is dangerous about a form of “Christianity” where the cross and resurrection of Jesus is sidelined or never mentioned?
Luke 24:48-53
- What are the personal implications of Jesus’ call to be His witness?
- How does Jesus empower His witnesses?
- What are some specific ways you have been equipped or empowered to share the gospel?
- Why is worship and praise for the resurrected Christ a natural reaction to His commission?
- What is the role of today’s Christian as a “witness” to the life and work of Jesus Christ?
- What’s the relationship between worship and evangelism?
- What does it look like to live sent?
For Those in Your Group
Send the following link to your group members as either a teaser before the group meets or as a follow-up thought:
A Movement to Bring Peace to the World
Podcast
Click here for a 20-minute podcast for both the group member and the leader.
Podcast (adultsleadertraining): Play in new window | Download
When I printed the PDF document, I got the Additional Questions from last week’s lesson even though new ones were showing on the website.
The PDF has been corrected. Sorry for the inconvenience.
Thanks. Good ideas for class and some ways to introduce the next unit.