11/20 A Cross-Cultural Mindset

THIS WEEK'S PLAY LIST: YOUTUBE 

THIS WEEK’S BIBLE READINGS  Nov. 14-20,   2 Thessalonians 2

NEXT WEEK’S BIBLE READINGS    Nov. 21 -27,   2 Thessalonians 3

TEXTS: 1 Thess. 1: 6-10; Matt. 28:18-20; Acts 1:6-8 

ICE BREAKER: Can you describe the last time you found yourself in a situation that  made you feel VERY outside your comfort zone.  What led up to your being there?  Did you experience joy or fear?                                                                                                      

IN A NUTSHELL: If we are not focused on reaching the lost at home, we will find ourselves losing interest in our missions as well. One feeds the other. Evangelism and missions spurs growth in both. Truly embracing the gospel means our mindset yields to God's mindset, our culture and other cultures give way to a "Godly culture." (bulletin blanks)

  • A desire to imitate Godly leaders 
  • Joy amidst affliction
  • Stories of faith actions/commitments sound beyond our boarders
  • Hospitality freely offered to God's people who serve outside of our boarders
  • Idols are identified, "repented" of and left behind.
  • Love for, confidence in and anticipation of the resurrected Jesus dominates
  • An awareness of wrath for sin and grace for the forgiven is obvious  

HIS WORD

  1. What kind of emotions do you sense in the Thessalonian passage?   1 Thess. 1: 6-10

  2. What does the Holy Spirit and joy have to do with each other according to these passages?  Lk. 1:41-45; 10:21; Heb. 1:9; Acts 13:25; 1 Pet. 4:13-14

  3. On the basis of what authority are we commissioned to go?  Matt. 28:18-20 What does this tell us about whose "culture" is to become the pattern and guide for the new community?

  4. What did Jesus say we were to do as we would go to all nations? Based on these instructions being by His authority, how do you imagine our ignoring some facets of these instructions will be received?

  5. What did Jesus say the Holy Spirit would empower his disciples to become? Acts 1:6-8

  6. What did the disciples tend to focus on and then what did Jesus want them to focus on?

YOUR WORLD

  1. Which seems more attractive to Christians today, end times projections or being a witness to the redemptive work of God?

  2. How would you rate the level of various "Godly culture" indicators in your life? (see the bulletin blanks above)

  3. Which comes first, making disciples or baptizing them? What/who helped to make you a disciple?  Who baptized you?  Who are you praying for to help them become a disciple of Jesus? Who are you hoping to baptize?  

  4. What are some of the most important commands of Jesus' that should be passed on to those to whom you are witnessing?  

Small Pieces BIG Picture

Objectives -  to help the worshipper identify key connection points of cross cultural changes that take place when the Gospel is more than "buzz words."   It's not just entry points of baptism or church membership that reveal success for the gospel.  There are cultural changes at the deepest level. 

Outcomes - The worshipper should leave the sermon with a prayer list of what God needs to show them about our "idolatry" and a "to-do list" of what they need to ask God to help them change in their culture.

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