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Paul's Second Missionary Journey Home Group Notes - 26-04-09 - Roberto Beruffi
Welcome:
Do you have any good Holy Spirit stories/testimonies to recount in order to encourage others?
Worship:
Try to focus on one or all of the following topics in all of the songs that you sing or Scripture that you read / meditate one:
a) The Lordship of Christ
b) Bringing God glory / God’s glory being revealed
c) Where the nations are mentioned in contexts that are linked with mission
Word:
“The goal of all mission initiatives is the making of disciples”
Acts 15:36-16:26; 16:40-17:10
Looking at Paul’s Second Missionary Journey we find that there was a need for the following:
1) A need to have a general and yet flexible strategy in place as follows
– Please discuss implications
• Establishing the right base of operations Acts 17:1-4,10; Acts16:11-15
• Seeking to reach out to men/women of peace – i.e. those looking for God first
- Acts16:13-15; Acts 17:3
• Set apart certain men/women of good repute to disciple and prepare for leadership (Acts 16:1-3)
• Establish church leaders – elders in every church – Acts 14:23
• Encourage church to be a working partner in missions
- See: Philippians 1:3-7; 4:15-18
• Go to another location to repeat process with set apart protégé or mission partner from church – e.g. Timothy and Epaphroditus - Philippians 2:19-22, 25
• In time revisit church to strengthen believers in faith - Acts 15:41; 16:5
2) Openness to the Holy Spirit as follows:
- Please discuss implications
• Guidance - Acts 16:6-10
• Empowerment in all outreach/ministry initiatives – Acts 16:16-24
• Strengthen to endure suffering - Acts 16:22-26
3) To be able to stand firm in Christ in spite of the enemy’s schemes as follows
– Please discuss the implications
• Know the enemy’s tactics: i.e. are aware of his ways and his character - He is:
a) a murderer and a liar (John 8:44)
b) Rebellious (Isaiah 14:13-14)
c) Proud and linked with dishonest/unrighteous trade (Ezekiel 18:11-19)
– e.g. Banks/Insurance/etc
d) The Prince (ruler) of the world (John 12:31; 14:30 16:11)
- e.g. government/culture
e) The ruler of the power of the air – e.g. (airwaves: internet / media (porn / lies)
- He is ultimately only interested in controlling people and destroying
• Know & trust God: i.e. his ways and his character and then will want to obey him
- He is ultimately really interested in having a loving relationship with people
- 1 John 1:5-7; 2:3-6, 14-17
• Have been tried and tested and are found to be faithful and joyfully resilient in spite of apparent setbacks – (James 1:2-4; 1 Tim 1:12; 3:10; Acts 16:22-25)
• Possess an irreproachable character and an exemplary lifestyle
- 1 Timothy 1:12; 3:2, 6-10; 4:12
• Are motivated to serve for the glory of God – Matthew 20:25-28
Is there anything that has challenged you?
Witness:
Pray for one another with regard to challenges / important issues that were raised
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Roberto Beruffi, 06/05/2009 |
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