REACHING OUT – WEEK 1

Mike Kurtz

THE GREAT COMMISSION
Perhaps it has become so familiar to you that you could quote (or at least paraphrase) those words: “Therefore, go and make disciples…” It is a commission given to the church as a whole working together to fulfill Jesus’ words. You have a place in fulfilling that commission to make disciples. You may not realize it, but your very presence in the church Family is in part to contribute toward reaching out to make disciples in your own way. As we enter this new series for the month of November, I pray that your role in the process of discipleship will become clearly evident, and that your zeal to reach out would find a place in your life. –Pastor Mike

Home Group Questions
Week of November 3, 2008

REACHING OUT: THE GREAT COMMISSION

Opening: How have you seen God work this week?

  1. Read Matthew 28:16-20.
  2. According to this passage, the Great Commission involves “going”, “making”, “baptizing”, and “teaching”. But the main (and only) command in the original Greek is to “make disciples”. The thrust of the command is more literally, “Therefore, having gone, make disciples of all the nations…” The implication is that we must go before we can make. Where are the “go to” places in your life? Depending on those places, helping make followers of Christ will look different. Discuss what discipleship looks like in various places of one another’s lives (e.g. in the home, at work, at the gym, at church, etc.).
  3. When it comes to making disciples, there are two aspects of discipleship: conversion and growth or evangelism and maturity. Evangelism is a process of interacting with an unbelieving world such that people are drawn to Christ and desire to place their faith in Him. Growth involves helping those people go beyond initial salvation and into a growing relationship with God (i.e. a growing love and dependence on Him). In the process of making disciples, where do you feel your strengths lie (evangelism>>>growing)? In what ways are you using those strengths currently?
  4. Read 2 Cor. 2:14-15. What is God doing through us according to this passage? When you think of a fragrance or aroma, what positive things come to mind? What are ways the aroma of Christ is spread in people’s lives? What do you observe about our aroma to those who are “being saved” and those who are “perishing”? What does this say about how the gospel is viewed by those who are in the process of being saved and those who are perishing?
  5. Read 2 Cor. 5:16-21. How would you summarize this passage in your own words?
  6. As ambassadors of Christ, are there those in your life that you could make an appeal for reconciliation to God? As you go into prayer, be sure to pray for courage and wisdom to be Christ’s ambassador for those people.

In addition, consider the following questions:

  • How have you struggled this week?
  • How can the others in the group help you?
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