Prayer, Evangelism and Worship

Practice develops confidence.   An element missing to an evangelistic zeal beyond the Holy Spirit is to train to share the gospel.  In the "Make Disciples" Class, I have developed a script to help share the gospel.   This script will not make sense to you if you have not attended the class. I hope to elaborate on this in the next few blogs.   A few highlights of this gospel presentation: It has five major sections that help facilitate gospel sharing It uses three chairs illustration as a visual aid It is theological and emphasizes man's problem of sin towards a holy God Presentation Outline □ Courtesy □ Two kinds of Contacts; Two kinds of responses □ Casual. Hi ________.   I have not seen you since _______. How has it been with you? (listen for and look for clues). □ Pos. It’s so good to hear that you ________________.   I had some good thing that happened in my life too. □ Neg I am sorry about what happened.   Life is not perfec...

For small group discussion review but go immediately to the ASSESSEMENT area.     In our study, we have identified two kinds of people who needed Jesus.  A Saul-like individual and a Cornelius -like individual.  Shocking as it may seem, both need Jesus in their hearts.  They belong to section 1.      What do Saul and Cornelius - like people need to move from section 1 to section 2?    Rehearse this gospel presentation in your own words.   ASSESSMENT QUESTION:  This assessment will determine your "make-disciples" quotient.  Answer the questions randomly, but do not take the result lightly.   1.  Write five names of people that you know fit these categories (Saul - like and Cornelius - like)?    2.  Determine a number beside the name of how likely this week you are to have a conversation with this person.   1 - not likely;  5 - very likely. 3.  Put a check among the...

  What's Your Name?   I am not a people person.  In fact, my natural default is to find a space within a crowd.  But when somebody reaches out to me, I like the feeling.  Don't you?   Too many people are in the kingdom crowd but never a part of God's family.  They are waiting for me and for you to reach out to them.  DISCUSSION:  Recall a moment when you were thankful somebody engaged with you with a spiritual conversation?  How was it like?  And why were you thankful and glad?  Identify your fear on making disciples?  What do you think should you do to overcome that fear?  What help are you willing to receive from LFBC to help you overcome your fear?  KNOW SOMEONE'S NAME In a book, Discipleship Uncomplicated, Dr. Haynes emphasized the importance of knowing a person's name.   God wants us to know people's names.  Cornelius heard from God that he needed to look for Peter.   When ...

God is always true to His promises.  He keeps His covenant to His people.   From Abrahams time until the Kingdom, they are a reflection of God's unfailing commitment to fulfilling His plan.    The exile is a momentary pause, and today, we examine the return of God's people back to the promised land.  In Ezra 1:2, it shared that King Cyrus allowed God's children to return to Jerusalem.   Finally, God's people's prayers are answered and the Jews experience a second chance as they return back to Jerusalem.  What would be your first bidding if you were in their shoes?  Unfortunately, it is easy to prioritize God and reciprocate.   Let's examine three responses of God's people.   I.  They renewed their Worship to Yahweh God's children return with Zerubabbel and reminding them that they need to ret return urn to God as they return to Jerusalem.  In your own reading, what was  II.  They restored their Wor...

God allows 'life pauses' where moments that we are stopped dead on our tracks while he accomplishes His will.  It's not a comfortable place, but yet necessary.    There are many examples of this in the Bible, but it is one that we do not enjoy.  One key reason for this moment is God's expression of "tough love" (Prov. 3:11-12, Hebrews 12:4-11).    The Divided Kingdom of Israel and Judah sinned against God and they went to the place of no return (Isaiah 28-33; 2 Kings 17:16-20).  As a result, the Divided Kingdoms were shattered.   The Northern Kingdom Israel was dispersed by the Assyrian in 722 B.C. and the Southern Kingdom Judah was exiled by the Babylonians in 587 B.C.    In the midst of Israel's and Judah's life pause, God encourages three things:    Come back to God and renew your relationships with him.   Endure and thrive in the time of your exile. Look forward to the hope that is in Jesus.   DIDISCUSSI...

Lessons from the Old Testament Survey Class.   Today's lesson is about learning to understand that God has better plans for our lives.  That sometimes, our plans, no matter how good they are, are no better than God's plan.   Isaiah 55:8-9 says,  Let's consider three eras in our study today.  ERA # 1:  Disoriented People This was during the days of judges when God raised deliverers or judges in order to save His people.  The problem is that they kept on disobeying God and God was teaching them a lesson to trust Him.   The cycle of sin and repentance were lessonsyou will find in the book of Judges.   Another problem is that God's people were never content.  They wanted a king like the rest of the world.   This leads us to the next Era.   ERA # 2:  United Kingdom God granted Israel's request for a King despite His warning.  There were three kings that ruled one after the other and their live...

We begin the next four weeks to look at the history of the Old Testament.   This lesson begins from Creation (Genesis)  until the Promised Land (Deuteronomy).  The theme we emphasize is "God uses the place of our lives where we are in."   Read Ephesians 2:7-10.   The three places God used for His children were:  I.  The Garden of Eden - It is a Place of Beginning To enjoy God's place of beginnings means:  (1) I must cultivate the land;  (2) I must be aware of temptations and (3) I must remain obedient and follow His holy path.   II.  The Wilderness - It is a Place of Cleansing I must learn to accept that this place of wilderness ...(1) is the safest route; (2) is the cleansing route; (3) it is a learning route.   III.  Canaan - It is a Place of Rest The place of rest is important because... (1) it is a place of promise - the Lord promised rest; (2) it is a place flowing with milk and honey; (3)...