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This week we want to look at how God plans to use you
to bring others into
the freedom from sin that you have found in Christ.
First, we will consider
how important your own life is in sharing with
others.
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1. |
To be a disciple
is to come under the discipline of Jesus Christ. To be a disciple is to let Jesus Christ be Lord in all the areas of your life.
Examine carefully the following items and make sure that you
are opening up and
working on those that are applicable to you.
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Financial status.
(Are you using money wisely? Are you taking care of
debts?
Are you giving generously to the Church? Is all your
money God's money?)
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Sexuality.
(Are you completely free of any immoral
relationships? Are you
opening up your struggles to others who can help and
encourage you? Are
you strongly rejecting the world's attitude toward
sex and replacing it with
God's attitude?) This area is a real stumbling block
for many young
Christians. Don't dismiss it lightly.
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Time Management.
(Are you eliminating wasted time from your schedule?
Do
you have definite plans at the beginning of each day?
Have you shared your
schedule with someone else to get their opinion and
in-put?)
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Read I Thessalonians 4:1-12 for Biblical encouragement in all these
areas.
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1. |
Turn
to I Peter 3:13-17 (especially noting verses 15 and 16).
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2. |
What
is involved in each of these statements:
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a. |
"In your
hearts acknowledge Christ as the Holy Lord" |
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b. |
"Always be prepared to give an
answer
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c. |
"With
gentleness and respect" |
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d. |
"Keeping a clear conscience" |
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3. |
Who are the people around
you? Write down their names. they need to hear the answer
about Christ as Lord in the spirit of the passage you have
just read.
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1. |
The
last words a person speaks usually tell us a lot about the major
things on
their heart. Turn to Matthew 28:18-20 and read again
the final commission
of Jesus before he left this world.
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2. |
What
does it mean to you that "all authority has been given to Jesus
Christ?" What does it mean that he has all the
authority over you?
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3. |
What are the implications for your life of his statement to
"Go?"
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4. |
When
we "go," what does Jesus Christ want us to do? |
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5. |
Look
back over the list of people you wrote down yesterday. Begin praying
for them specifically that you may "go" to them with the message
Jesus has
given to you.
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1. |
Start
today with Colossians 4:2-6.
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2. |
List
all the things you find here that relate to sharing your faith with
someone.
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3. |
What
does it mean to "make the most of every opportunity?" How
have you used the opportunities of this week? What can you do to use them more for
the Lord?
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We
tend to think that certain situations are not good ones for sharing the
Gospel. Most of us would find being in prison and in chains a terrible
circumstance for evangelism. Read Acts 16:22-34.
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2. |
To
see that this was no fluke, turn next to Philippians 1:12-14 and
listen to
what Paul has to say while writing from another
prison (This one probably
in Rome where he was chained to a guard).
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What
situations are you in right now? Write down why these situations
make sharing the Gospel difficult. Having done this, now give all
these
excuses up to the Lord and claim the fact that he is
able to work powerfully
in all circumstances. Turn over to Philippians 4:4-6
for encouragement.
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To "Go Make Disciples" we need great boldness and courage. In
ourselves
we
don't have what it takes. The Holy Spirit will fill us with the
boldness we need. Read Acts 4:8-13 (noting especially verse 13).
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2. |
Also
notice the message we must proclaim. It is found in verse 12. Don't
ever water this message down. It is the only thing that can change
men's
lives.
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Look
also at II Timothy 1:7. When you find yourself being timid, you can
be
sure that it is your SELF. For God has not given you
a spirit of timidity or
fear. It doesn't come from him. The self must be denied and we must
give God's Spirit the freedom to fill us with power and love and self-control.
There are many statements
in the Scripture concerning the courage and
boldness God will give us. Keep
studying and never be satisfied with
timidity or fear.
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No
real evangelism or discipling takes place until we have brought a
person
into the Body of Christ. As you share with people,
make every effort to
introduce them to the members of the Body where you
are. Experience shows that this is a powerful tool in reaching
people.
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2. |
Look
at Acts 2:42-48. This is to be the spirit found in our fellowship;
and when outsiders come in, they will be convicted that something is
missing in their lives.
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3. |
You
have now been a disciple for three weeks. You should be having an
impact on others for Jesus Christ by now. If this is
not happening, or if you
see that it could be happening much more, get with an
older brother or sister and share what is going on. Let them
encourage and help you.
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