On the Line Week 1 – Discussion Guide
Getting Started
Main Idea: Why don’t we share our faith? The enemy has drawn an invisible line that we won’t cross when it comes to sharing the Gospel. But there’s too much ON THE LINE for us not to share the story of Jesus. One of Faith Promise Church’s values is that We Tell Them of Him. We must put ourselves on the line because eternity is on the line.
Introduction: With COVID-19 and social distancing, now we have one the greatest opportunities to share the hope and good news of the real love of Jesus Christ. There are less distractions and more time to consider what truly matters.
Discussion Starter:
If there’s an invisible line that keeps us from sharing the Gospel, what is your line? And who has drawn your line? What keeps you from sharing the message of Jesus’ love with others?
Encounter God
Primary Scriptures: Acts 2:47, Matthew 25:31-34, 1 Peter 3:15-16
Discussion Questions:
- Sharing our faith is often something we see as “something about us.” We are nervous to share the Gospel because of the negative consequences that can affect us. Name some ways sharing the Gospel can negatively and positively affect our lives. Then discuss the effects on the person with whom you’re sharing.
- Part of being comfortable with sharing the Gospel message is learning how to do it. We must equip ourselves to tell the people of the story of Jesus outside the four walls of our church. Tell your group if you’ve shared the Gospel with someone, and talk about the reaction. Or discuss the first time you heard the Gospel message and what your own response was.
- Now for your story – Some people call this your testimony, but every follower of Jesus has a story to tell. There is power in your story; when you tell someone that Jesus has the power to restore a relationship with God, as He has done with you. Spend time with your group talking about how God has restored your relationship with Him since your salvation. What have you seen God do in your life and others’ around you? What would your life look like without Jesus?
- The average person will have to share the Gospel with 15-30 people for just one person to surrender their life to Jesus. Read Romans 10:14. How does this motivate you to continue sharing Jesus’ message of love? Remind yourself that the difference between an eternal life in Heaven or Hell is on the line.
Discovery Bible Method:
For deeper study, as an alternative to the questions above, read 1 Peter 3:15-16 and use the Discovery Bible Method to explore how God’s revelation in the Bible doesn’t just tell us what to do, but why.
Embrace Others
Suggestion: Consider breaking the group into twos or threes (virtually) for this section.
Discuss how the enemy draws lines in our lives. Make a list of 2-3 people that you would like to tell YOUR salvation story. Practice in your group. Life On Mission is a great app you can use to share your story and the story of Jesus. You can also refer to Faith Promise’s Storytellers sermon series and alignment.
Engage the World Around Us
Engaging at Faith Promise: Pastor Zac challenged us to pray for an ALL iN burden for people apart from God in your life. Pray for an opportunity to share the Gospel of the real love of Jesus Christ. Cross the Line this week with someone in your life and share the gospel.
Engaging in Community/the World: There is a lot going on in our world today. Pray for the leaders of our country, the medical world, all educational systems, and the Church community. Pray for discernment, wisdom, and peace for these people, as they are making difficult decisions that will be criticized from all sides. Pray for a supernatural peace to overcome the population. Pray for all worry and concern to be handed over to God. And pray for the Holy Spirit to send a fresh breath to all that are worried about their future. True peace will only come knowing what the future of salvation brings.
Expand God’s Kingdom
One of our Faith Promise values is “We tell of Him.” This world is full of real people with real problems who need the real love of Jesus. Will you pray for opportunities to share the story of Jesus with someone this week? Don’t just invite them, but tell them why you go to church, and how God has affected your life. Invite them to watch online!
Leader’s Notes
ALL groups at Faith Promise should follow Jesus Christ and lead others to do the same. Below are the marks of a growing follower and disciple of Jesus.
Note for Question #2: Remind your group that when it comes to planting seeds, a skilled farmer with years of experience has the exact same ability to make plants grow as a child who just throws seeds around. The power is in the seed (the Word of God), not the person planting the seed (Mark 4:14-20). Nobody should be scared of sharing the Gospel, because God makes promises about what will happen when His word is shared at all (Isaiah 55:11). The main thing is making sure that we ourselves have trusted in Christ, because if we do, we will be telling others the same Word that was planted in us (Mark 4:14-20).
Note for Question #3: Many people ‘come to Jesus’ not because they are brokenhearted over their own sin, but because they want health, wealth, or some other thing. When the question “How has Jesus changed your life” is asked, try to make it clear how Jesus has changed your mind — how you no longer desire sinful things like you once did. “Repentance” means “Change of mind,” and it was the core of Jesus’ message. Try to emphasize that our thought-life is the essential thing that changes when we trust in Jesus, and not our circumstances.
– A follower of Jesus desires to encounter God through the deeper study and application of God’s Word.
– A follower of Jesus embraces people and values relationships on a deeper level so everyone can grow together.
– A follower of Jesus engages and serves the world around them and in their community, through local partners or God-directed opportunities.
– A follower of Jesus expands God’s Kingdom through development and multiplication of disciple-makers, possibly to lead more groups at Faith Promise.
