Breaking Ground
What’s the most exciting news that you’ve been able to break to someone else? What was it? How did they respond?
The Dig
This week, began our new series Selling Jesus, in which we’ll be exploring how to share the story of Jesus through what we do, where we go, & who we are.
First, reflect on the term evangelism.
What comes to your mind when you hear evangelism? Do you have positive or negative connotations with this word?
Historically, have you been taught to think of evangelism as primarily being about what someone says or who they are & what they do? What does each of these approaches tend to produce in the Church & world (good, bad, & ugly)?
Next, read Isaiah 58:1-10. Here, God harshly challenges His People to realize that they’ve missed the entire purpose of religion, despite thinking they’ve followed all the right religious rules.
What stands out to you from this passage? What’s the difference between God & Israel’s understanding concerning the purpose of religion?
What effect does God want religion to have on those who engage it? In turn, what effect does God believe it must have on the world through them?
Critically, as Pastor Mike explored on Sunday, this passage concludes with God promising that if Israel does let their religion transform them into a tangible conduit of justice & divine mercy; then they’ll be transformed into a magnetic, shining light in this dark world that draws others in need of restoration back to God. As such, it upholds that the most effective form of evangelism will always take place through what we do to mirror God in the world.
How does this reorient our understanding of healthy evangelism (especially for those who think of evangelism as primarily being about talking or sharing ideas)? How does it both make evangelism easier to understand &, simultaneously, much more demanding on God’s People to actually do?
Where are you presently engaging in actions that tangibly make the world a better place & point others back to God? Where are you currently failing to let your religion move you into such action & mission?
What’s one, new activity that you can commit to doing in this next season in order to further live out this part of our divine calling? Consider volunteering, service work, caring for the poor, etc.
Getting Out of the Hole
Take time each week to reflect upon the Sunday sermon.
- Read Isaiah 58:1-10. Highlight or write down the key actions that God lists as being the healthy byproduct of true worship. What are they? Who do they help? How do they impact the world?
- Where are you presently engaging in service work? Are you currently giving away your time, talents, & treasures to help others (especially the least of these in our world)? If so, where could you take another step forward in that calling? If not, what’s holding you back?
- Commit to taking on an additional act of service this winter.
Journal about how this prayer practice makes you feel this week. Share your experience with your group next week.
Additional Resources*
Centered Set Church by Mark D. Baker
Practicing the Way by John Mark Comer
Bible & Mission by Richard Bauckham
TheBibleProject.com
Coming Up This Week:*
November 16th: Join us next Sunday as we continue our new series Selling Jesus!* Please see mye3.org for details.