Sunday Message
Going Deeper: March 7, 2010

Imagine A Church That Shares the Gospel
Matthew 28: 16 – 20
March 7, 2010 

 

  1. Are you a person who tends to plan most things out or do you prefer to be more spontaneous? Describe a time when you planned for something and it went well. Describe a time when you planned for something and it did not go well; what happened?

  2. In Matthew 28: 16 – 20 Jesus outlines a basic plan for how his disciples are supposed to tell other people about Jesus. How would you describe the plan using your own words?

  3. The first part of Jesus’ plan is that he commands us to, “Go!” The Greek verb is in a tense that implies a certain amount of passion on our part to “Go!’ into the world but often Christians and the Church lack that type of passion. Why do you think we have lost the passion that the original disciples had to talk about Jesus? What can we do to get excited or fired up to talk more about Jesus?

  4. The Greek verb to “Go,” also implies a continual happening and not a single event. Jesus is clearly telling us that sharing about Jesus with others in big and small ways should characterize our lives. On a scale of 1 – 10 (with ten being the highest) how would you rate yourself on developing a life in which you are able to share about Jesus regularly? What stops you from sharing about Jesus with other people?

  5. In verse nineteen Jesus also tells us to “make disciples?” What does he mean by this phrase? How were you and are you being made into a disciple? In your opinion what is the best way to make a disciple? (To teach others about Jesus and help people grow in their faith)

  6. Some people feel that the best way to “make disciples,” is to get into an argument/discussion with someone regarding the Bible or Jesus Christ. Have you ever witnessed or been a part of such an argument/discussion? If so what was the outcome? If you witnessed the argument/discussion what would you have done differently and if you were a part of the argument/discussion what should you have done differently?

  7. When Jesus tells us that we are supposed to go to “all nations,” what, in your opinion, is the point he is trying to make? What does his call for us to go to all nations have to say to us regarding racism, sexism or any other “ism?”

  8. Why is it sometimes easier to go on a mission trip and share the gospel with people outside of our own home town? Why is it harder sometimes to share about Jesus with those closest to us?

  9. In Matthew 28: 17 the Bible tells us that while the disciples worshipped the resurrected Jesus some of them still doubted. Why do you think they doubted even though the resurrected Jesus was standing right in front of them? What doubts do you have about God or Jesus and at what causes the doubts that you have?

    10.  Jesus also promised the disciples that if they would go and make disciples of all nations   
          that he would always be with them. Does this promise of Jesus give you more confidence
          to share your faith with others or do you not really think about it?

    11.  Who is one person that you believe that God is calling you to talk with about Jesus?
          What is preventing you from talking with the person about Jesus? How can the group
          help you to step out in faith and talk with that person?