THE GREATEST FORCE ON EARTH
40 Days of PEACE - Part 2
October 3-7, 2005

Look at the nations and watch - and be utterly amazed. For I am going to do something in your days that you would not believe, even if you were told.

Habakkuk 1:5 (NIV)

Today our world faces five "global giants" that threaten the lives of not millions, but billions of people. So what are these global giants? The first is spiritual emptiness. There are literally billions who don't know God and have no hope for the future. The second is egocentric leaders, who are the root cause of the world's biggest problems because they are corrupt, dishonest, and refuse to serve their people. The third is extreme poverty, with billions of people living in hopelessness on less than $2 a day and barely surviving. The fourth is pandemic disease, with billions suffering from famine, drought, infections and all kinds of preventable diseases. Finally, there is crippling illiteracy for fully half of the earth's population. For those with no skills and no training, there is little hope of anything ever changing. These global giants may appear to be the greatest on earth, but there is a force even greater: ordinary people empowered by God working through millions and millions of churches worldwide. This is the one group big enough to tackle the global giants! This study will take a look at how the church is uniquely advantaged to tackle them. God is poised to do a great work in the earth, and is calling on you to join Him in the work to stamp out the "global giants."

MONDAY

I. THE CHURCH'S ADVANTAGE - WE HAVE...
[Your Objective: Understand the church is better positioned to conquer global giants than any government, any business or any organization on earth.]

1. THE LARGEST PARTICIPATION.

Read Ephesians 3:10-11. How did God intend to make His wisdom and purpose known?

  • Statistics tell us there are currently 2.5 billion people who claim to follow Christ. There are more people in church on one Sunday than all the sporting events in a year. How does that fact alone make God's church better equipped to help people solve giant problems?

2. THE WIDEST DISTRIBUTION.

According to Colossians 1:6, where is the Gospel bearing fruit and growing?

  • Since the church is all over the world, how does it have an advantage over any organization when it comes to meeting global needs?

3. THE LONGEST CONTINUATION.

In Matthew 16:18 what did Jesus say about the future of the church?

  • The church has existed for 2,000 years... much longer than any government on earth. How long is the church likely to continue? How does this empower the church to accomplish God's mission on earth?

4. THE FASTEST PROLIFERATION.

According to Acts 6:1a and 16:5, how did the church grow?

  • All around the world, churches are being planted every single day. About 60,000 people accept Christ for the first time - every day! This number is greater than the growth of HIV/AIDS. What confidence does this give you regarding the strength of the Gospel message and its ability to stop pandemic illness?

5. THE HIGHEST MOTIVATION: (LOVE).

What is Jesus' command in Matthew 22:39?

  • Why should Christians be motivated by God's command to "love your neighbor as yourself"?
  • How can loving our neighbor meet the needs of the world?

6. THE STRONGEST AUTHORIZATION.

From Matthew 28:18-20 what authority does Jesus say He has and who did He give it to? What assurance did He add to this in verse 20?

  • Why is it significant that believers have Christ's authority when they go to accomplish His purposes?

From Ephesians 3:20-21, where do we get the power to do God's work? Who gets the glory?

  • Why does it help us to know that it is God's power that enables us to do His work?
  • What is so important about who gets the credit/glory for the work we do?

7. THE SIMPLEST ADMINISTRATION.

Name some things we learn about our gifts from 1 Peter 4:10.

  • Imagine what could happen if every church, and every member, used their gifts to defeat the global giants. Talk about the gifts, abilities, and experiences of your group members and imagine how God might use them.

8. THE GREATEST CONCLUSION.

What does Matthew 24:14 say about the preaching of the Good News of Christ?

  • What assurance can we have as we share the Good News from the above verse?
  • How can knowing how things will turn out in the end give us confidence to participate in the PEACE Plan?

Worship (Magnification) - When we thank, praise and honor God by believing He will answer prayer, we worship Him. What will honor God more than joining Him as He uses the PEACE Plan to meet the global needs of the people He loves in the world? Go to God in prayer and ask Him to enable believers to effectively pray against the 5 global giants, energize them to prepare to make a difference in this world by participating in the PEACE Plan, and empower them to attack the global giants in faith.

THE CHURCH'S ANTIDOTE TO THE GLOBAL GIANTS

THE GLOBAL GIANTS

  • Spiritual Emptiness
  • Egocentric Leaders
  • Extreme Poverty
  • Pandemic Disease
  • Crippling Illiteracy

THE P.E.A.C.E. PLAN

  • Plant Churches
  • Equip Servant Leaders
  • Assist the Poor
  • Care for the Sick
  • Educate the next Generation

TUESDAY

II. 3 STEPS TO PLANTING A NEW CHURCH

1. GATHER A SMALL GROUP.
[Your Objective: Know that Christ is in the midst of your small group gathering.]

What assurance does Jesus give to small groups of His people in Matthew 18:20?

Where did some of the early believers gather according to Romans 16:5?

  • From the verses above, what do you see that applies to our modern day small groups?
  • What can we still expect from Christ today as we meet in small groups or with believing friends?
  • Why is it important to know that Christ is in your midst when you gather in your small group?

Fellowship (Membership) - Our small groups are our greatest place of belonging within the family of God. It is here that we connect with people at the deepest levels of real fellowship. How frequently does your small group intentionally acknowledge the presence of God in your midst when you gather together? What can you do to raise your awareness of His presence with you from now on? Discuss this together and make a plan.

WEDNESDAY

2. SHARE YOUR STORY AND THE GOOD NEWS.
[Your Objective: Show group members that the most powerful story they can share is their own.]

What did the psalmist desire to share with the listeners in Psalm 66:16?

When your group comes together, who is to be prepared to share something with the group according to 1 Corinthians 14:26?

  • How do you think sharing your individual stories can encourage your group? What are some different ways stories can be used?

Evangelism (Mission) - Your own personal story about how Christ has made a difference in your life may be the most powerful story you can tell. Spend some time thinking about how your story may edify others in your group or how it may help someone who doesn't know Christ. Don't be afraid to share the Good News of Jesus Christ with others. Make a point to share your story with one person this week.

THURSDAY

3. PROVIDE BIBLES TO CONTINUE.
[Your Objective: Recognize and promote the importance of Bible reading as a priority for all believers.]

Read 2 Timothy 3:16-17. In verse 17, what benefit does Scripture offer the man of God?

  • Even though Scripture is inspired by God, what factors in a believer's life cause it to be spiritually and personally profitable? What might cause a believer not to profit from Scripture?

What do you learn about both the man who plants and the man who waters in 1 Corinthians 3:8-9?

  • Each of us has been given gifts, talents and skills. In what tangible ways can we be fellow workers with God? How can we partner with each other?

Discipleship (Maturity) - Many believers do not practice a regular regimen of Bible reading. Consequently, they do not understand who God is or what He desires for His people. They also do not know what it means to be a Christian and how we are to live in light of that knowledge. Why do you think there is reluctance regarding Bible reading among believers? How might this lack of knowledge impact our perception in times of success or crisis? Discuss what adjustments you will make in order to allow consistent, regular time for reading and meditation in God's word.

FRIDAY

PERSONAL APPLICATION AND COMMITMENT:
[Your Objective: Understand that with such pressing global needs, stamping out today's global giants requires all of the body of Christ to respond to the PEACE Plan.]

Do you think God might expect you to do anything about any of these global problems? The answer is "yes," because you were put on this earth to make a difference. There is a reason and a purpose for your life and you will only be here for a short time, so whatever good you intend to do in the world should start now with the moments you have been given. Take some time to let God search your heart to reveal to you anything that might keep you from responding to this global need. Give God permission to share His heart with you and reveal anything that is a roadblock preventing you from serving Him in PEACE. Ask your Spiritual Partner to pray for you. If God is leading you to a plant a church, pray with your small group as to how you may implement the three-step plan provided above and then go with God's leading.