MAPPING OUR FUTURE!
September 20-24, 2004

Let me have three men from each tribe. I will send them out over the whole country to map out the territory that they'd like to have as their possession.

Joshua 18:4 (TEV)

According to your faith will it be done to you.

Matthew 9:29 (NIV)

We should make plans - counting on God to direct us.

Proverbs 16:9 (LB)

In the same way that you gave me a mission in the world, I give them a mission in the world.

John 17:18 (Mes)

When the Holy Spirit has come upon you, you will receive power, and will tell people about me everywhere - in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.

Acts 1:8 (NLT)

Have you ever been on a road trip? If so, did you make your trip without a map? Not likely! Having a road map helps you keep on the right path to your destination. God also wants you to have a map for your life so that you can have some direction as you progress toward fulfilling the dreams, goals and desires He has given you. Jesus had a plan, and so should we. God's plan for us is that we fulfill His purpose and mission through our lives in our own unique way. Acts 1:8 outlines how we are to do this - by sharing Jesus' Good News throughout our Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and the ends of the earth.

MONDAY

OUR JERUSALEM: THE CITY YOU LIVE IN.

[Your Objective: Learn the value of gathering within our community to share the Good News.]

According to Acts 5:28, what filled all of Jerusalem?

  • With what are we supposed to fill the city we live in?

Why did the whole city of Jerusalem gather on the Sabbath in Acts 13:44?

  • What might cause a whole city to gather together today?
  • Why is it still important for today's church to gather to hear the Word of the Lord?

Where is the teaching of the Good News done in Acts 5:42?

  • Is it realistic today to get all believers in a city together in one place?
  • What is the effect of sharing a common message through many venues, styles or locations?

Discipleship (Maturity) - Spiritual maturity is the result of modeling Christ's behavior. Jesus always had people gathered around to hear the Good News. How can we gather within our community of believers and non-believers to share the Word of the Lord? Have each member of the group list the benefits they receive by sharing the Word with their fellow Christians. Challenge each member to seize opportunities throughout the week, to share their testimony with any person that doesn't know Christ.

TUESDAY

OUR JUDEA: THE AREA AROUND YOUR JERUSALEM.

[Your Objective: Encourage believers to band together in order to proclaim the Good News outside their immediate communities.]

According to Luke 4:37, where did the news about Jesus spread?

  • Whose responsibility is it to spread the Good News of Jesus Christ? Why?

Who does Acts 8:4 tell us preached the Word wherever they went?

  • Why do you think the early Christians still preached the Word even under persecution? How did they support one another?
  • Why do we sometimes feel uncomfortable sharing the Good News today, even though there is no direct persecution?

Read Acts 5:42. Where did the apostles proclaim the Good News? How frequently?

  • In what ways can a small Bible study group help each member share the Good News more effectively?
  • What are some ways you think a small Bible study group can share the Good News as a group?

Fellowship (Membership) - Membership in the body of Christ requires connecting and fellowshipping with other believers in order to build community. This allows us to gain a sense of belonging and to grow in our Christian walk. However, fellowship is as much about having our own needs met as it is about growing so we may share Jesus Christ with others, whether individually or as a group. Discuss ways your group can expand its reach to others outside your immediate community. What steps can you take to support each other, and how can you accomplish this as a group?

WEDNESDAY

OUR SAMARIA: ALL THE CULTURES IN YOUR JUDEA.

[Your Objective: Recognize areas where we can serve the needs of various cultures in our surrounding area.]

What did Jesus say He would do according to John 12:32?

  • Since Jesus said He would draw people to Himself, what is our role in reaching them for Christ?

Who are the people Paul felt obligated to in Romans 1:14?

  • What is our obligation to people of other cultures? What keeps us from wanting to reach out to them?

According to 1 Corinthians 9:19 what sacrifice did Paul make in order to reach as many people as possible?

  • Why do you think Paul was willing to lay aside his own life and desires to reach as many as possible?
  • Are we obligated to make sacrifices in order to reach people of other cultures for Christ?
  • Why is it important that we lay down our lives to reach others? What keeps us from wanting to lay our lives down to do this?

Ministry (Ministry) - People don't necessarily believe us when we say we love them; they look to see how our actions reveal it. What can you and your group begin to do to meet some practical needs of people in cultures other than your own? Consider people of other language groups, military personal, prisoners, addicts, athletes, the sick and needy, culturally influential people, and the homeless and hungry.

THURSDAY

TO THE ENDS OF THE EARTH: EVERYWHERE ELSE.

[Your Objective: Reach the whole world for Christ by purposefully meeting their greatest needs.]

According to Matthew 24:14 what is to be preached to the entire world?

  • What is the Good News about God's kingdom?
  • How important is it to meet the world's greatest needs if we are to reach them with the Good News?
  • How would you feel if God asked you to take an active part in achieving His desires for the world?

In Mark 8:35 what did Jesus say it will take to really live?

  • What do you think it means to lose or throw away your life according to Jesus?
  • What practical things would be different in our lives if we really did this?

What does Habakkuk 2:14 say will one day fill the earth?

  • What keeps people from seeking to understand the glory of God?

Evangelism (Missions) - In Matthew 22:37-39 Jesus said, "...'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'" Then in Matthew 28:19-21 He said, "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you..." Our love for God and our commitment to Him is revealed in our obedience and our passion for what He is passionate about. Discuss with your group what you could do together to make an impact and participate in an outreach project. Commit to continuing this dialog over the next few months and make a plan for a local or global outreach.

Take a moment to review any assignments/challenges made during the personal application and commitment section of your previous meeting. Seeing God at work in the lives of those who commit to Him is essential for growth.

FRIDAY

PERSONAL APPLICATION AND COMMITMENT:

[Your Objective: Identify where you are in mapping out and fulfilling God's mission for your life.]

Obedience to God is the ultimate form of worship. We were all put on this earth to fulfill God's will, and when we do we come to "know what it means to really live" (Habakkuk 2:14). Are you "really living" in God's will right now? How can you begin to understand what God's will is for your life and start to map His will into the fabric of your life? Each day this week as you begin your quiet time with God, pray for God to reveal His plan for you at this time in your life. Share what God reveals to you at your next small group meeting.