BIG IDEA
In our new series, Get in the Game, we are learning that there is a spiritual battle going on every day. This is a battle we must take seriously. There are people all over the world who are in need of the hope that Jesus offers. Taking the spiritual battles and the need for the hope of Jesus around us seriously requires dedication. Dedication means being willing to do whatever it takes to fight the enemy and to reach the lost. Let's see what Scripture teaches about getting in the game and reaching the lost around us.
BREAK THE ICE
What is your favorite sport to play or watch?
SMALL GROUP QUESTIONS
Bible Study
1. Describe a time when you were dedicated to something. What happened?
WATCH SERMON RECAP
2. Read Ephesians 6:10-17. What do we learn about the battles going on every day and how to prepare to fight in this passage of Scripture?
Ephesians 6:10-17
"A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on all of God's armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. 12 For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore, put on every piece of God's armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. 14 Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God's righteousness. 15 For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. 16 In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. 17 Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God."
"A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on all of God's armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. 12 For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.
13 Therefore, put on every piece of God's armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. 14 Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God's righteousness. 15 For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. 16 In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. 17 Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God."
3. Read 1 Corinthians 9:22-23. How did Paul demonstrate a willingness to do whatever it took to reach the lost?
1 Corinthians 9:22-23
"When I am with those who are weak, I share their weakness, for I want to bring the weak to Christ. Yes, I try to find common ground with everyone, doing everything I can to save some. 23 I do everything to spread the Good News and share in its blessings."
4. Read Hebrews 4:12. How does Scripture impact us and others as we "get in the game?"
Hebrews 4:12
"For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires."
Application
1. When it comes to "getting in the game" that Christ calls us to and sharing your faith, what holds you back from being fully dedicated?
2. How can we follow Paul's example he set in 1 Corinthians 9:22-23?
3. What step can you take to get in the game and do whatever it takes to reach the lost?
Moving Forward
Take time as a group to pray together. Ask God to give your group a passion for the lost and a drive to do whatever it takes to reach them. Commit to looking for opportunities to share your faith and taking steps to reach the lost when these opportunities arise.
Going Deeper
The apostle Paul not only talked about doing whatever it took when it came to reaching the lost, but he also lived out his 1 Corinthians 9:22-23 teaching. He committed to being culturally relevant while also doctrinally sound. We see an example of this in Acts 17. Take a look at how Paul reached the lost who were in Athens, a city known for idolatry.
Paul Went to the Lost:
Paul did not stay home, waiting for opportunities to share his faith to come to him. Instead, He traveled. He went to city after city, teaching others about Jesus. One of the places he went to share His faith was Athens, Greece. Take a look at His encounter with those in Greece in Acts 17.
1. Read Acts 17:16-21.
Acts 17:16-21
"While Paul was waiting for them in Athens, he was deeply troubled by all the idols he saw everywhere in the city. 17 He went to the synagogue to reason with the Jews and the God-fearing Gentiles, and he spoke daily in the public square to all who happened to be there. 18 He also had a debate with some of the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers. When he told them about Jesus and his resurrection, they said, "What's this babbler trying to say with these strange ideas he's picked up?" Others said, "He seems to be preaching about some foreign gods." 19 Then they took him to the high council of the city. "Come and tell us about this new teaching," they said. 20 "You are saying some rather strange things, and we want to know what it's all about." 21 (It should be explained that all the Athenians as well as the foreigners in Athens seemed to spend all their time discussing the latest ideas.)"
"While Paul was waiting for them in Athens, he was deeply troubled by all the idols he saw everywhere in the city. 17 He went to the synagogue to reason with the Jews and the God-fearing Gentiles, and he spoke daily in the public square to all who happened to be there.
18 He also had a debate with some of the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers. When he told them about Jesus and his resurrection, they said, "What's this babbler trying to say with these strange ideas he's picked up?" Others said, "He seems to be preaching about some foreign gods."
19 Then they took him to the high council of the city. "Come and tell us about this new teaching," they said. 20 "You are saying some rather strange things, and we want to know what it's all about." 21 (It should be explained that all the Athenians as well as the foreigners in Athens seemed to spend all their time discussing the latest ideas.)"
2. What was the city of Athens like?
3. How did Paul respond to what he saw in Athens?
4. What is at stake if believers do not go to those who are lost?
Paul Understood the Culture of the Lost:
Paul not only went to those who were lost, He understood their culture. He also knew how to speak to the lost in a way that they could relate to. We see this in Acts 17 when Paul ministered to the lost in Athens, Greece.
1. Read Acts 17:22-31.
Acts 17:22-31
"So Paul, standing before the council, addressed them as follows: "Men of Athens, I notice that you are very religious in every way, 23 for as I was walking along I saw your many shrines. And one of your altars had this inscription on it: 'To an Unknown God.' This God, whom you worship without knowing, is the one I'm telling you about. 24 "He is the God who made the world and everything in it. Since he is Lord of heaven and earth, he doesn't live in man-made temples, 25 and human hands can't serve his needs-for he has no needs. He himself gives life and breath to everything, and he satisfies every need. 26 From one man he created all the nations throughout the whole earth. He decided beforehand when they should rise and fall, and he determined their boundaries. 27 "His purpose was for the nations to seek after God and perhaps feel their way toward him and find him-though he is not far from any one of us. 28 For in him we live and move and exist. As some of your own poets have said, 'We are his offspring.' 29 And since this is true, we shouldn't think of God as an idol designed by craftsmen from gold or silver or stone. 30 "God overlooked people's ignorance about these things in earlier times, but now he commands everyone everywhere to repent of their sins and turn to him. 31 For he has set a day for judging the world with justice by the man he has appointed, and he proved to everyone who this is by raising him from the dead."
"So Paul, standing before the council, addressed them as follows: "Men of Athens, I notice that you are very religious in every way, 23 for as I was walking along I saw your many shrines. And one of your altars had this inscription on it: 'To an Unknown God.' This God, whom you worship without knowing, is the one I'm telling you about.
24 "He is the God who made the world and everything in it. Since he is Lord of heaven and earth, he doesn't live in man-made temples, 25 and human hands can't serve his needs-for he has no needs. He himself gives life and breath to everything, and he satisfies every need. 26 From one man he created all the nations throughout the whole earth. He decided beforehand when they should rise and fall, and he determined their boundaries.
27 "His purpose was for the nations to seek after God and perhaps feel their way toward him and find him-though he is not far from any one of us. 28 For in him we live and move and exist. As some of your own poets have said, 'We are his offspring.' 29 And since this is true, we shouldn't think of God as an idol designed by craftsmen from gold or silver or stone.
30 "God overlooked people's ignorance about these things in earlier times, but now he commands everyone everywhere to repent of their sins and turn to him. 31 For he has set a day for judging the world with justice by the man he has appointed, and he proved to everyone who this is by raising him from the dead."
2. How did Paul practice cultural relevancy in this passage of Scripture?
3. In what way did Paul demonstrate remaining true to Scripture while also being culturally relevant?
4. Why is cultural relevance important when it comes to sharing our faith?
Paul Saw the Results of Doing Whatever It Took to Reach the Lost:
As Paul committed to get in the game and do whatever it took to reach the lost, He saw God work. He went around from city to city telling others about Jesus and witnessed many coming to Christ as a result. He understood that God worked through Him as He got in the game and did anything possible to reach the lost.
1. Read Acts 17:32-34.
Acts 17:32-34
"When they heard Paul speak about the resurrection of the dead, some laughed in contempt, but others said, "We want to hear more about this later." 33 That ended Paul's discussion with them, 34 but some joined him and became believers. Among them were Dionysius, a member of the council, a woman named Damaris, and others with them."
2. How did people in Athens respond as Paul taught them about Jesus in Acts 17?
3. How does God work as we follow Paul's example and share our faith?
One way we can begin to follow Paul's example and do whatever it takes to reach the lost is by going to places where we will interact with people who do not have relationships with Christ and begin having intentional relationships with them. Take a moment to think about the place where you can place yourself, like the gym, your favorite coffee shop, parents at your kid's sports practice, etc. Share with your group where you will go to start building intentional relationships and take steps to start building those relationships this week.
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