Series: Becoming a Disciple of Jesus
Following Your True Purpose
Study Guide
Message for Sunday October 20, 2019
This Week Reading: Matthew 4:18-25
Main Themes: God's Call; Life Purpose; Discipleship; Following Jesus
Background Information:
These verses take place in the very beginning of Jesus ministry. Jesus starts His ministry by calling people to follow him as His disciples. In verse 19 we see 3 characteristics of a follower of Jesus. First they make a decision to follow Jesus and make him the priority of their lives. Second they allow Jesus to transform or change them (Jesus says "I will make you fishers of men). Third they have a new purpose for their lives - to fish for people which means to make other disciples. Then they see what Jesus is doing in verses 23-25: Healing broken people; destroying the work of Satan and telling the good news that they can be saved and become followers of Jesus also.
Crossroads Community Group (previously called Point of Light) Guide:
A. Welcome: Welcome everyone especially new persons and read out loud the purpose of your group:
Our goal is to grow as disciples of Jesus and to make disciples of other people by inviting them to our group. Each person here has the potential to start and be the leader of a new group and multiply God's kingdom.
B. Worship Time: Spend a few minutes singing a worship song. Here is one you may want to use 10,000 reasons (Bless the Lord) (or pick your own on YouTube make sure it has the lyrics on the screen)
C. Review
1. What has God been telling you this week in your personal time with him?
2. How did you do with what you wanted to apply from last week?
3. Who did you share what you learned last week with?
4. Who did you invite to the group for this week/
D. Opening Question (a simple question to introduce the main theme - called an icebreaker): What does it mean to be a follower of Jesus?
E. Read Background Information
F. Word: Read Matthew 4:18-25 aloud together. (Goal is that everyone understand the Bible story or verses by retelling them in their own words - keep at it until everyone knows the story or verses)
1. What key (important) words do you see in these verses?
2. Tell in your own words what happens in these verses.
3. What are the details?
3. What details can you add to what others in the group have said? .
G. Discuss the following general questions together (Goal is to use these general questions to guide a discussion - the leader should not speak more than 30% of the time - let the group discover what God is saying to them).
Crossroads Community Group (previously called Point of Light) Guide:
A. Welcome: Welcome everyone especially new persons and read out loud the purpose of your group:
Our goal is to grow as disciples of Jesus and to make disciples of other people by inviting them to our group. Each person here has the potential to start and be the leader of a new group and multiply God's kingdom.
C. Review
1. What has God been telling you this week in your personal time with him?
2. How did you do with what you wanted to apply from last week?
3. Who did you share what you learned last week with?
4. Who did you invite to the group for this week/
2. How did you do with what you wanted to apply from last week?
3. Who did you share what you learned last week with?
4. Who did you invite to the group for this week/
D. Opening Question (a simple question to introduce the main theme - called an icebreaker): What does it mean to be a follower of Jesus?
E. Read Background Information
3. What are the details?
1. What new thing did you discover in the story or verses that you did not know before?
3. What do you learn about people from the story?
5. What important lessons for us do you see in this story?
6. What will you take away from this discussion?
7. What will you do with what you have learned? (make sure everyone answers this)
8. As a result of this study what do you need to stop doing?
9. As a result of this study what do you need to start doing?
8. As a result of this study what do you need to stop doing?
9. As a result of this study what do you need to start doing?
1. Jesus taught you this today because someone in your life needs to hear it. Who in your in circle of relationships will you share what you have learned through this study?
2. What in specific will you commit to apply in your life from this study/
2. What in specific will you commit to apply in your life from this study/
F. Prayer Time:
1. Pray for an empty chair representing new people who you want to join your group. Name names of people specifically.
2. Pray for the needs of the members of the group. It is best to divide into 2 groups one of male and the other female.
G. For Next time:
1. Assign group members to do different parts of the next meeting as you prepare them. (Opening Question; Prayer Time; Read Background info; lead group)
2. Ask each person the name of a person they will invite to the group for next week.
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