INFLUENCE: Invest and Invite

What is the greatest investment another person has ever made in your life?

Read Mark 2:13-17.

Jesus' command to Matthew was, "Follow Me". If Jesus were to say those words to us today, what do you think he would mean? What would we do if we actually followed him?

Apparently Matthew had a lot of friends who were not very religious. Do you think he wondered what they would think of him if he followed Jesus? Why do you think he decided to follow?

Why do you think the Scribes and Pharisees objected to Jesus' eating a meal with the tax collectors* and sinners?

With what kind of person do you think the Scribes and Pharisees expected Jesus to spend his time? Can you think of a modern day example in which one Christian might get upset about the type of people another Christian is spending their time with? How would Jesus respond?

In this story, what do you think makes a person sick (according to Jesus)?

In this story, is it a good or bad thing to be considered "healthy" by Jesus? Why?

In today's world, do you think it is better to be considered "healthy" by Jesus? Or is it better to be considered "sick" by Jesus?

What does Jesus do for those who are sick?

How would it look if everyone in this group decided to INVEST and INVITE? In other words, what would happen if everyone here invested themselves in the life of a "spiritually sick" person and then invited them to meet Jesus?

What are some different ways you can invite someone to meet Jesus?

*Tax Collectors were so despised in this setting that they were considered to be among the bottom two groups of people. "Tax Collectors and Sinners" was like saying "theives and murderers".

Comments

Discussion Questions for Easter

Have several people ask the question, “What’s the most important thing you’ve ever done?” Ask other people, “What do you hope to accomplish in the next several years of your life?” Tell your class that today you’ll be talking about “life mission” or the one most important thing you do that drives everything else. Tell them that Jesus’ resurrection from the dead is the defining moment in history, so it should be the defining moment in our lives. Read 1 Corinthians 15:12-19. How does the resurrection impact some of the crucial beliefs of Christianity? How would Christianity be different if there was no resurrection? How would you be different without the resurrection? Read 1 Corinthians 15:50-58. What are some specific ways that the resurrection gives us hope? If you had been a friend of Jesus when he was on earth, how would the resurrection have impacted your life? How do you think his followers then were effected by the resurrection? Read 1 Corinthian...

FIGHT CLUB! (iron sharpening iron)

Our youth pastor, Keith Sandison, has implemented "Fight Clubs" with the young men of our church. While these teenagers and young adults aren't actually pummeling each other physically, they are using the opportunity to aggressively challenge one another to be more attentive to their spiritual formation. Right now my son is participating in a fight club focusing on Proverbs. I love it. Keith has created a handout he uses for the fight clubs which lists seven different methods of "generic Bible study". I think the idea started with this post a few years ago, but as he often does; Keith took my thoughts and made them immensely more substantive and beneficial. Check out his system below:

SOAPY Bible Study

In the past, I've written about and talked about the SOAP method of Bible study. This is a simple Bible study method which can be utilized by an individual or a small group. All you need is a passage of Scripture and 15-30 minutes (a journal is helpful). Many churches use this method of Bible study for their groups. Some have modified the SOAP method by adding a Y. Read more about it below: This Bible study is an intentional focused effort of growing in the understanding of the scriptures. This form of study will assist in the transformation of our inner lives as we mature in understanding and in faith. Set aside 15 minutes every day for the study. You might want to take more time after you have gotten started. Don’t overload yourself in the beginning. Keep a “soapy” journal because there will be the need to write everyday. As you develop your routine, share what you are learning with your Discipleship Group, Sunday school class, Circle, other groups in which y...

Creative Community

Search This Blog