Group Notes | March 12
Storytellers: “Story Takers”
March 12, 2017
Matt Willmington
Open:
What exciting story or piece of information (ball game, book, movie, etc.) did you share with someone this week? Did you think to examine why you did this?
Last week we looked at one of the stories in the New Testament, applying principles to help us share the story of our salvation with people we meet. Today we are going to look at exactly what that story should look like, and where we can share it.
Focal Passage: Matthew 9:1-13, Mark 2:1-17
Discuss:
What Is the Story?
1. There are usually both “bad” parts and “good” parts in any story.
a. What is the best part of God’s story? (John 3:16) He loves us!
b. What is bad about our story? (Rom. 3:10, 23) We deserve punishment.
c. What did God do for us? (1 Pet. 3:18) Jesus paid it all!
d. What does He give us? (Rom. 10:13, Eph. 2:8, 9) The free gift of salvation.
e. What is God’s promise? (Rom. 8:38,39) Eternal life with Him.
TAKE PEOPLE TO JESUS
2. Read Mark 2:1-12. What were some of the anxieties these four friends had for their paralytic comrade? What was their major concern?
3. Why were they determined to get him to Jesus?
4. Are you so concerned about your friends, that you will take them where they can hear the gospel? If it’s not your responsibility, whose is it?
TAKE JESUS TO PEOPLE
5. Read Matt. 9:9-13 and Luke 5:28-29. What are several reasons that made Jesus’ action of calling Matthew uncommon?
6. What were three immediate responses of Matthew to Jesus’ call? What was courageous about him calling his “IRS” friends?
7. If you knew your story would bring this result so quickly, would you run to tell it to everyone?
TAKE JESUS’ BURDEN
8. Read Matt. 9:35-38. What is your main concern when meeting a friend whom you feel is not saved? What are some things Jesus felt and some things He did?
9. What are some things you can do for unsaved friends?
Action Applications:
1. Only you know if you have been changed by God. If you have, then realize your story is simple:
1) God loves you;
2) You were a sinner who deserved to be punished;
3) Jesus paid your sin debt with His death on the cross;
4) You have been given full pardon for your sins the moment you ask Him to save you;
5) You will spend eternity with Him!
2. Be committed to having a team of friends pray for lost loved ones or those you are burdened for, and work to bring them to where they can hear the gospel; know God wants them to be saved, and praise Him for any opportunity;
3. Invite friends to your home for a meal at a time when other Christians will be there; dig deep to find courage to be hospitable, despite what others may say;
4. Serve those who are in need at every opportunity! Have compassion on the lost, and pray that God will surround those you have a burden for with Godly people.
5. Share your story at every opportunity!
Close:
Our story is unique: it is ours, and no one else will have the same experience. Does it bother you that you can’t think of a time, a moment, or an instance when you became a child of God? Perhaps that was not meant to be your story but someone else’s! Were you changed in some way? Probably. It is hard to get used to witnessing, but recent statistics show that even in one’s home, only about 3% of children and grandchildren know the testimony of their parents. Does that convict you? That would be a great place to begin telling your story! The only thing you will take to heaven are the souls whom you lead to Jesus Christ. Don’t you want those to be your family, friends or your circle of influence? Pray diligently that God would multiply your faith this year, and burden you with two or three that you can pray persistently for, with heartfelt compassion and love. You cannot save them, but you can introduce them to the Savior.
Memory Verse: Matt. 9:38: “Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.”
Quote to remember: “Do we own the lostness of our community?”