If we want to reach the lost for Christ, we have to seek out those who are lost and in need of His hope. We have to spend time with them. This is the example that Jesus set for us while He was here on this earth. He sought out the lost and hurting, bringing them hope that can only be found in Him. In our study today, we will discuss making intentional relationships with those around us a priority so that we can share the hope of Christ with them.
Who first shared the hope of Christ with you, and how did that impact your life?
1. Read Luke 16:19-26. How does this passage of Scripture motivate us to share our faith with everyone around us while we are here on this earth?
Luke 16:19-26
Jesus said, “There was a certain rich man who was splendidly clothed in purple and fine linen and who lived each day in luxury. 20 At his gate lay a poor man named Lazarus who was covered with sores. 21 As Lazarus lay there longing for scraps from the rich man’s table, the dogs would come and lick his open sores. 22 “Finally, the poor man died and was carried by the angels to sit beside Abraham at the heavenly banquet. The rich man also died and was buried, 23 and he went to the place of the dead. There, in torment, he saw Abraham in the far distance with Lazarus at his side. 24 “The rich man shouted, ‘Father Abraham, have some pity! Send Lazarus over here to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue. I am in anguish in these flames.’ 25 “But Abraham said to him, ‘Son, remember that during your lifetime you had everything you wanted, and Lazarus had nothing. So now he is here being comforted, and you are in anguish. 26 And besides, there is a great chasm separating us. No one can cross over to you from here, and no one can cross over to us from there.’
2. Read Luke 19:1-10. Why were people displeased by Jesus’ actions in this passage of Scripture?
Luke 19:1-10
Jesus entered Jericho and made his way through the town. 2 There was a man there named Zacchaeus. He was the chief tax collector in the region, and he had become very rich. 3 He tried to get a look at Jesus, but he was too short to see over the crowd. 4 So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree beside the road, for Jesus was going to pass that way. 5 When Jesus came by, he looked up at Zacchaeus and called him by name. “Zacchaeus!” he said. “Quick, come down! I must be a guest in your home today.” 6 Zacchaeus quickly climbed down and took Jesus to his house in great excitement and joy. 7 But the people were displeased. “He has gone to be the guest of a notorious sinner,” they grumbled. 8 Meanwhile, Zacchaeus stood before the Lord and said, “I will give half my wealth to the poor, Lord, and if I have cheated people on their taxes, I will give them back four times as much!” 9 Jesus responded, “Salvation has come to this home today, for this man has shown himself to be a true son of Abraham. 10 For the Son of Man came to seek and save those who are lost.”
3. What did Jesus demonstrate about why He came through His interaction with Zacchaeus in Luke 19:1-10?
4. Read 1 Peter 3:15. Summarize God's instruction to us in this passage of Scripture.
1 Peter 3:15
Instead, you must worship Christ as Lord of your life. And if someone asks about your hope as a believer, always be ready to explain it.
1.What stands out to you about the way that Jesus interacted with the lost, and how can you follow His example?
2. What is one way you can take time to prepare to share your faith with those around you so that you can be ready when opportunities to share your faith come?
3. Describe an intentional relationship you are forming with someone who does not have a relationship with Christ.
Now that you have all shared about the intentional relationships you are forming with those who do not have a relationship with Christ, take a few moments to pray for these people together. Pray that God would make Himself known to them so that they will one day come to have a relationship with Him. Ask Him for wisdom and courage as you seek to share your faith with them.
We are not left on our own when it comes to building intentional relationships with those who are far from Christ. The Holy Spirit is with us and guides us as we build these relationships. Scripture also helps guide us as we think about building relationships with the hope of sharing Christ with those around us. For the next few moments, take a look at Scripture and how it guides us as we build intentional relationships with those who do not have a relationship with Christ.
We cannot reach the lost without going where they are. That is why Jesus intentionally went places where He would find those who were lost and in need of His hope. As He sought out the lost, He set an example for us to follow. Like Him, we must seek out the lost so that they can be found in Him.
1. Read John 4:1-14. What was unique about Jesus’ interaction with the woman in this passage of Scripture?
John 4:1-14
For Jesus knew the Pharisees had heard that he was baptizing and making more disciples than John 2 (though Jesus himself didn’t baptize them—his disciples did). 3 So he left Judea and returned to Galilee. 4 He had to go through Samaria on the way. 5 Eventually he came to the Samaritan village of Sychar, near the field that Jacob gave to his son Joseph. 6 Jacob’s well was there; and Jesus, tired from the long walk, sat wearily beside the well about noontime. 7 Soon a Samaritan woman came to draw water, and Jesus said to her, “Please give me a drink.” 8 He was alone at the time because his disciples had gone into the village to buy some food. 9 The woman was surprised, for Jews refuse to have anything to do with Samaritans. She said to Jesus, “You are a Jew, and I am a Samaritan woman. Why are you asking me for a drink?” 10 Jesus replied, “If you only knew the gift God has for you and who you are speaking to, you would ask me, and I would give you living water.” 11 “But sir, you don’t have a rope or a bucket,” she said, “and this well is very deep. Where would you get this living water? 12 And besides, do you think you’re greater than our ancestor Jacob, who gave us this well? How can you offer better water than he and his sons and his animals enjoyed?” 13 Jesus replied, “Anyone who drinks this water will soon become thirsty again. 14 But those who drink the water I give will never be thirsty again. It becomes a fresh, bubbling spring within them, giving them eternal life.”
2. Read John 4:25-30. What was the impact of Jesus' decision to purposefully go to Samaria to have a conversation with the woman in this passage of Scripture?
John 4:25-30
25 The woman said, “I know the Messiah is coming—the one who is called Christ. When he comes, he will explain everything to us.” 26 Then Jesus told her, “I Am the Messiah!” 27 Just then his disciples came back. They were shocked to find him talking to a woman, but none of them had the nerve to ask, “What do you want with her?” or “Why are you talking to her?” 28 The woman left her water jar beside the well and ran back to the village, telling everyone, 29 “Come and see a man who told me everything I ever did! Could he possibly be the Messiah?” 30 So the people came streaming from the village to see him.
3. Where is one place you are going or can start going to reach the lost?
For most, talking comes naturally. It is easy to share what's on our minds. Listening, however, is an entirely different challenge. Listening takes patience and self-control. Listening is an unexpected tool when it comes to sharing our faith. Listening both allows us to understand how to reach those around us best and helps them feel known and cared for.
1. Read James 1:19.
James 1:19
Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry.
2. Summarize James’ instruction in this passage of Scripture.
3. Does being “quick to listen” and “slow to speak” come naturally for you? Why or why not?
4. What is the impact of listening well when it comes to building intentional relationships with those who are far from Christ?
For many, sharing our faith requires courage and boldness. This is particularly true when sharing our faith with those we are close to. That is why Scripture encourages us to pray for boldness as we step out and share our faith with those who are far from Christ.
1. Read Acts 4:23-31, a passage of Scripture that describes how the early church responded after hearing reports that Peter and John had been jailed and threatened for preaching and teaching in the name of Jesus. If you had been in the early church’s position facing imminent persecution, what would you have prayed for?
Acts 4:23-31
As soon as they were freed, Peter and John returned to the other believers and told them what the leading priests and elders had said. 24 When they heard the report, all the believers lifted their voices together in prayer to God: “O Sovereign Lord, Creator of heaven and earth, the sea, and everything in them—25 you spoke long ago by the Holy Spirit through our ancestor David, your servant, saying, ‘Why were the nations so angry? Why did they waste their time with futile plans? 26 The kings of the earth prepared for battle; the rulers gathered together against the Lord and against his Messiah.’ 27 “In fact, this has happened here in this very city! For Herod Antipas, Pontius Pilate the governor, the Gentiles, and the people of Israel were all united against Jesus, your holy servant, whom you anointed. 28 But everything they did was determined beforehand according to your will. 29 And now, O Lord, hear their threats, and give us, your servants, great boldness in preaching your word. 30 Stretch out your hand with healing power; may miraculous signs and wonders be done through the name of your holy servant Jesus.” 31 After this prayer, the meeting place shook, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit. Then they preached the word of God with boldness.
2. What did the believers pray for? How is what they prayed for similar to or different than what you think you might have prayed for?
3. What was the impact of the prayer of the believers in the early church?
Which of these three reminders from Scripture would you like to grow in when it comes to sharing your faith with the people around you: Go where the lost are found, listen, or pray for boldness? Share the area you would like to grow with your group, along with one step you can take this week to grow in that area. When everyone is finished, pray together. Pray that God would give you the boldness to go where the lost are, listen well, and share Christ with them.
©2025 Sagebrush Church
