A B.L.E.S.S. Christmas
Copyright: South Bay Community Church
Sermon Reflections: A B.L.E.S.S. Christmas
Date: 26th November 2023
Speaker: Lead Pastor: Tammy Long
Sermon Scripture: Matthew 28:18-20 / Acts 1:8
Sermon Reflections: A B.L.E.S.S. Christmas
Date: 26th November 2023
Speaker: Lead Pastor: Tammy Long
Sermon Scripture: Matthew 28:18-20 / Acts 1:8
Sermon Resources
Sermon Preamble
Our hearts are full of the goodness of God. We experience and enjoy what is wonderful because of the goodness of God. The goodness of God never changes, no matter how our circumstances change. As we enter the Christmas season, next Sunday marks the beginning of Advent, which means the coming and arrival of Jesus. God’s plan does not begin or end with Jesus’ birth at Christmas, or with Jesus’ resurrection, or with our salvation. As followers of Jesus, it is not just about us experiencing the goodness of God and the joy of a personal relationship with God. However, that goodness is to be shared Jesus instructs His followers in four primary ways in Matthew 28:18-20 and Acts 1:8. (1) We are to be witnesses. (2) We are to make disciples. (3) Everyone is invited. (4) Jesus is with us. You will see that there are unique opportunities to share the gifts of God during this Christmas season including the sentiment of the season, the sounds of the season, and the sharing of the season. The sentiment of the season provides an opportunity to ask what Jesus’ birth means to others and humbly share what it means to you. The sounds and music of the season allow people to hear God’s story, such as “Joy to the World, the Lord has come”; we can ask others what the song means to them. Sharing of the Christmas season reflects the goodness of God that allows us to share God’s love, our resources, our time, and our hearts during this season of sharing. Let us hear the hearts and needs of those to whom we are seeking to share the love of Jesus by using the acronym BLESS: “B” Begin with prayer, “L” Listen with care, “E” Eat together, “S” Serve with love, “S” Share your story.
We can be confident of God’s goodness in our personal relationship with God
Even when King David’s life was threatened, and he was facing violence, quivering with fear, he declared: “Yet I am confident I will see the Lord’s goodness while I am here in the land of the living. Wait patiently for the Lord. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the Lord.” (Psalm 27:13-14).
That confidence comes from knowing God personally through Jesus Christ. This relationship is born out of experiencing and learning about the goodness of God. When things are going well, God is good. When we don’t know what will happen next, God is good. When our backs are up against the wall, God is good. When our emotions and mental health are all over the place, God is good. When we are disappointed, confused, discouraged, or angry even at God, God is good.
Jesus came so we could come to know God up close and personal and experience the goodness of God through the Spirit. Emmanuel means God with us. Jesus declared, “If you’ve seen me, you’ve seen the Father.” In Jesus, we see a Good, Good Father.
There is a whole world of people who do not know God personally or know about God’s goodness
There are some who are not even sure there is a God. There are those who look to science as the barometer of truth. There are those who believe in a higher power, but not in a divine person. There are those who once walked with God, but have walked away for a variety of reasons. There are those who don’t know what they believe due to gaps in their understanding and theological misunderstandings. There are those who are spiritually open and hungry, but they don’t know how to find the path to God that their souls are seeking.
Religion and church going is not the same as a relationship. There are those who confuse religiousity and churchianity with following God. Yet if they were honest, they would know that something is missing in their spiritual lives.
The list of ways people are disconnected from God goes on and on.
There is an entire world walking in varying degrees of darkness; Jesus is the light
Jesus noted it, “When he (Jesus) saw the crowds, he had compassion on them because they were confused and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.” (Matthew 9:36). The prophet Isaiah foretold this truth when he wrote centuries before Jesus’ birth, “The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned.” (Isaiah 9:2). Jesus knew he was and is still now that light: “I (Jesus) am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.” (John 8:12).
The Big Story of the significance of Jesus’ birth is to join Jesus as lights in this dark world sharing the goodness of God
Advent is not the beginning of God’s story. As we enter the season of Advent, we remember and look forward to Jesus’ coming. The coming of Jesus is the climax of God’s story that changes everything. Nothing is the same after God becomes flesh in Jesus. Let’s view this clip called the Big Story. https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Bn7_km03X87UwrSyaABEVMf1BmeqjIs4/view?usp=drivesdk
The Big Story doesn’t begin or end with Jesus’ birth at Christmas. The Big Story doesn’t even end with Jesus’ resurrection and our salvation. The birth and resurrection of Jesus are keys, but the story is bigger. God is doing something larger in restoring God’s original plan and establishing God’s Kingdom. When we become followers of Jesus we have a part in that Big Story. Jesus invites us to join him as lights in this dark world sharing the goodness of God.
Jesus gave His followers the commandment of the Great Commission
“18 Jesus came and told his disciples, ‘I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. 19 Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. 20 Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.’” (Matthew 28:18-20). Jesus’ parting instructions to his followers after his resurrection is known as the Great Commission. You hear it again in Acts 1:8 when Jesus says, “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
Jesus’ instructions to his followers – to be witnesses
Jesus’ followers are to be a spokesperson for the goodness and love of God in their lives. A witness tells what they have seen, heard, and experienced first-hand with the goodness of God. Followers of Jesus are to be witnesses of that truth and tell our story.
Jesus’ instructions to his followers – to make disciples
Followers of Jesus invite and walk alongside others who also want to become disciples. In the Matthew Great Commission text, the primary command is to make disciples. We are to go as led by the Spirit, baptize new disciples committing to Jesus, and teach them what Jesus taught so they can grow as followers of Jesus. Discipleship is a process of many mini-steps often over time.
Jesus’ instructions to his followers – everyone is invited
Since everyone is invited, we are to go and tell all nations. The word for nations is ethnos, where we get the word ethnic or ethnicity. Everyone is invited to become a disciple from one end of the earth to the other. We have to be receptive and open to share with every person, anytime and anywhere. The Kingdom of God welcomes all, and we are to witness to all.
Jesus’ instructions to his followers – Jesus is with us as we go
Jesus is personally with us as we go and make disciples. Jesus has been orchestrating the connection and preparing hearts that are receptive and open to receive the good news. Jesus just needs laborers in the spiritual fields because the harvest is plentiful.
We are invited to be a part of the Big Story God is doing to share the gift of God made available in a personal and intimate relationship through Jesus
Our invitation is not a chore or a task. Rather, it is a joy and privilege to share the wonderful gift of God we have been given. Followers of Jesus know firsthand how precious that gift of God’s goodness is because they cannot imagine a life without God walking beside us. We can think about how many times we turn to God in prayer. We can think about how many times we consult God’s Word for wisdom, guidance, and direction. We can think about how often we seek God’s peace in the midst of anxieties and storms. We can think about the times when we may have felt alone or unlovable, but we remember the depth of God’s love for us, and we feel loved in God’s presence.
The gift of a relationship with God through Jesus is the most precious gift ever given to us. That gift is meant to be shared with the world.
The sentiment of Christmas season offers unique opportunities to share the gift of God’s goodness
There is the sentiment of the season. Baby Jesus, the manger, the shepherds, the nativity story still capture the heart of many. Some, who would never set foot in church any other time of year, will come for Christmas. According to one survey, 7 out of 10 unchurched people have never been invited to church in their entire life. Why not ask someone to come to church for Christmas? The sentiment of the season makes it a unique time to strike up a conversation about Jesus’ birth. You can gently and humbly share what it means to you. The Christmas season is a special time to invite people to explore and experience the greatest gift ever given.
The sounds of Christmas season offers unique opportunities to share the gift of God’s goodness
Sounds of the season allow people to hear God’s story. While there are plenty of Christmas songs that have nothing to do with Jesus, during Christmas season you can hear “Joy to the World, the Lord has come” by many artists. The artists may or may not know personally the truth of what they are singing. Regardless, God’s story is being heralded.
The Spirit might open the door for a conversation. In this moment of listening and sharing, questions can include: What is your earliest memory of that song? What does that song mean to you? The issue becomes whether we are alert and recognize the opportunities and open doors the Holy Spirit may have created. There may be an opportunity for a group to go caroling in the neighborhood. Perhaps we could greet someone in person with the love of Jesus and let them know they are always welcome to visit our church in the neighborhood.
The sharing of Christmas season offers unique opportunities to share the gift of God’s goodness
The Christmas season is a natural time to share laughter, food, and gifts, even to people you don’t know very well. There are Grinches and Scrooges, but perhaps they need to feel the love of Jesus from you more than anyone!
“Every good and perfect gift comes from God.” (James 1:17). In the Christmas season of good will and gifts, even those who don’t know Jesus are actually reflecting the goodness of God, and they do not even know it. We don’t have goodness on our own. It is the goodness of God at work in us and through us.
As followers of Jesus on a mission, this is a unique time to engage in what the Spirit is doing and share God’s love, share our eating tables, share our resources, and share our time and hearts. Share so that people see not just the baby in the manger, but Jesus who came for every person. God shared first. God gave first. “God so loved the world that God gave his only begotten son.” (John 3:16).
People’s souls are starving. They are tired of walking in darkness and in need of salvation. But these are changing times for evangelism
As followers of Jesus, we know what will satisfy their longing for God and save their souls. We know and have the light they are seeking. We can engage with the sentiment, sounds, and sharing of the Christmas season, but how we engage matters.
We live in a different world, and how we share our faith needs to change with the times. God is the same yesterday, today, and forever. In some cases, we need to adjust to our changing times to be relevant, or else, no one will want to hear what we say.
In 2022, Barna did a study on spiritual openness. Barna concluded that spiritual openness is widespread across all ages. The harvest is indeed plentiful, but how we engage with that harvest has changed. Barna surveyed 2,005 adults and teenagers. Quotas were set to represent region, race/ethnicity, education, age, and gender represented in the U.S. 77 percent of those surveyed believe in God or a higher power. 74 percent said they would like to grow spiritually. 44 percent said they were more open to God than they were before the pandemic.
Please watch this video on what it means to be a witness and make disciples today (Video – Spiritual Openness). https://drive.google.com/file/d/1KM7bHP23v8mO-TzjfnrbS3s2pQa4Y_lv/view?usp=drivesdk
Let’s BLESS this Christmas
BLESS is our church’s framework and spiritual practices for sharing the Good News of Jesus as witnesses. Let us prepare and be wise about the times in which we live to truly hear the hearts and needs of those with whom we are seeking to share the love of Jesus. BLESS is an acronym: “B” Begin with prayer, “L” Listen with care, “E” eat together, “S” Serve with love, “S” Share your story.
Application for Activation
This year, the vision is to partner with the movement of the Spirit for a BLESS Christmas as we learn how to share God’s story and connect with those who are open in 2023. Let us begin together in prayer. Let’s ask the Holy Spirit to open our eyes to recognize opportunities to share and to lead us in what to say, what to do, and how to connect heart to heart with those God loves so much. Write down the names of 1-2 people who are far from God or don’t know God. Pray for them in your group and every day. Also, leave a space open for the unknown person of a divine encounter that God may orchestrate. Let’s view the video Daystar as our closing prayer. https://drive.google.com/file/d/1BTCzyN_dOc-DpY3H62uCio_jkymUJ5zw/view?usp=drivesdk
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS INCLUDING FOR USE IN FAMILY GROUPS
Sermon Preamble
-Is the goodness of God dependent on wonderful things that we are experiencing? In what ways is God good in your life regardless of what circumstances you are facing?
We can be confident of God’s goodness in our personal relationship with God
-What spiritual practices in our life journey, even in challenging circumstances, give us the confidence in the goodness of God?
There is a whole world of people who do not know God personally or know about God’s goodness
-What are some of the ways that people are disconnected from God? Why is important for you to follow the church’s framework and spiritual practices known as B.L.E.S.S. in sharing with them the goodness and love of God and Jesus?
There is an entire world walking in varying degrees of darkness; Jesus is the light
-In what ways is Jesus the light needed by the world walking in varying degrees of darkness?
The Big Story of the significance of Jesus’ birth is to join Jesus as lights in this dark world sharing the goodness of God
-What is our part in God’s Big Story for our life journey as followers of Jesus into which Jesus is inviting us?
Jesus gave His followers the commandment of the Great Commission
-What stands out to you as significant for your life journey about the instructions from Jesus in the Great Commission as set forth in Matthew 28:18-20 and Acts 1:8?
Jesus’ instructions to his followers – to be witnesses
-If you gave a testimony of the goodness of God in your life, what would you say?
Jesus’ instructions to his followers – to make disciples
What is the difference, if any, between relationship in making someone a disciple and enlisting someone as a member to go to the local church?
Jesus’ instructions to his followers – everyone is invited
-According to Matthew 28:18, is the authority of Jesus limited to only certain people? How wide and vast is the sphere of Jesus’ authority? As a result, Jesus instructs to go and make disciples of all nations. What is the meaning of the word “all nations”? What people might you have reluctance from being open to share? How can you grow to share with the heart of every person, anytime, and anywhere?
Jesus’ instructions to his followers – Jesus is with us as we go
-Is the promised presence of Jesus temporary or contingent on circumstances? According to Matthew 28:20, is God with us every day until the end of history, when the Kingdom will be consummated? Why should this give you confidence in your mission to reflect the light of Jesus to a darkened world?
We are invited to be a part of the Big Story God is doing to share the gift of God made available in a personal and intimate relationship through Jesus
-In what ways do you know firsthand how precious the gift of God’s goodness is in your life?
The sentiment of Christmas season offers unique opportunities to share the gift of God’s goodness
-Since there is general sentiment for the birth of the baby Jesus, in what ways can you connect with the heart of a person or invite a person to church during the Christmas season?
The sounds of Christmas season offers unique opportunities to share the gift of God’s goodness
-When Christmas songs are being heard, in what ways might the Holy Spirit be encouraging you to listen and share?
The sharing of Christmas season offers unique opportunities to share the gift of God’s goodness
-In the Christmas season of sharing much, including gifts, what might the Holy Spirit be leading you to share the light of God’s love and goodness to a darkened world?
People’s souls are starving. They are tired of walking in darkness and in need of salvation. But these are changing times for evangelism
-Since the pandemic, the Barna study concluded that spiritual openness is widespread across all ages. How should you adjust to the changing times in presenting the light of Jesus with relevance?
Let’s BLESS this Christmas
-What does each of the letters of B.L.E.S.S. stand for as an acronym?
Application for Activation
-As you begin BLESS with prayer, are you willing to pray daily as you learn how to share God’s story and connect with those who are open in 2023?
Our hearts are full of the goodness of God. We experience and enjoy what is wonderful because of the goodness of God. The goodness of God never changes, no matter how our circumstances change. As we enter the Christmas season, next Sunday marks the beginning of Advent, which means the coming and arrival of Jesus. God’s plan does not begin or end with Jesus’ birth at Christmas, or with Jesus’ resurrection, or with our salvation. As followers of Jesus, it is not just about us experiencing the goodness of God and the joy of a personal relationship with God. However, that goodness is to be shared Jesus instructs His followers in four primary ways in Matthew 28:18-20 and Acts 1:8. (1) We are to be witnesses. (2) We are to make disciples. (3) Everyone is invited. (4) Jesus is with us. You will see that there are unique opportunities to share the gifts of God during this Christmas season including the sentiment of the season, the sounds of the season, and the sharing of the season. The sentiment of the season provides an opportunity to ask what Jesus’ birth means to others and humbly share what it means to you. The sounds and music of the season allow people to hear God’s story, such as “Joy to the World, the Lord has come”; we can ask others what the song means to them. Sharing of the Christmas season reflects the goodness of God that allows us to share God’s love, our resources, our time, and our hearts during this season of sharing. Let us hear the hearts and needs of those to whom we are seeking to share the love of Jesus by using the acronym BLESS: “B” Begin with prayer, “L” Listen with care, “E” Eat together, “S” Serve with love, “S” Share your story.
We can be confident of God’s goodness in our personal relationship with God
Even when King David’s life was threatened, and he was facing violence, quivering with fear, he declared: “Yet I am confident I will see the Lord’s goodness while I am here in the land of the living. Wait patiently for the Lord. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the Lord.” (Psalm 27:13-14).
That confidence comes from knowing God personally through Jesus Christ. This relationship is born out of experiencing and learning about the goodness of God. When things are going well, God is good. When we don’t know what will happen next, God is good. When our backs are up against the wall, God is good. When our emotions and mental health are all over the place, God is good. When we are disappointed, confused, discouraged, or angry even at God, God is good.
Jesus came so we could come to know God up close and personal and experience the goodness of God through the Spirit. Emmanuel means God with us. Jesus declared, “If you’ve seen me, you’ve seen the Father.” In Jesus, we see a Good, Good Father.
There is a whole world of people who do not know God personally or know about God’s goodness
There are some who are not even sure there is a God. There are those who look to science as the barometer of truth. There are those who believe in a higher power, but not in a divine person. There are those who once walked with God, but have walked away for a variety of reasons. There are those who don’t know what they believe due to gaps in their understanding and theological misunderstandings. There are those who are spiritually open and hungry, but they don’t know how to find the path to God that their souls are seeking.
Religion and church going is not the same as a relationship. There are those who confuse religiousity and churchianity with following God. Yet if they were honest, they would know that something is missing in their spiritual lives.
The list of ways people are disconnected from God goes on and on.
There is an entire world walking in varying degrees of darkness; Jesus is the light
Jesus noted it, “When he (Jesus) saw the crowds, he had compassion on them because they were confused and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.” (Matthew 9:36). The prophet Isaiah foretold this truth when he wrote centuries before Jesus’ birth, “The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned.” (Isaiah 9:2). Jesus knew he was and is still now that light: “I (Jesus) am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.” (John 8:12).
The Big Story of the significance of Jesus’ birth is to join Jesus as lights in this dark world sharing the goodness of God
Advent is not the beginning of God’s story. As we enter the season of Advent, we remember and look forward to Jesus’ coming. The coming of Jesus is the climax of God’s story that changes everything. Nothing is the same after God becomes flesh in Jesus. Let’s view this clip called the Big Story. https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Bn7_km03X87UwrSyaABEVMf1BmeqjIs4/view?usp=drivesdk
The Big Story doesn’t begin or end with Jesus’ birth at Christmas. The Big Story doesn’t even end with Jesus’ resurrection and our salvation. The birth and resurrection of Jesus are keys, but the story is bigger. God is doing something larger in restoring God’s original plan and establishing God’s Kingdom. When we become followers of Jesus we have a part in that Big Story. Jesus invites us to join him as lights in this dark world sharing the goodness of God.
Jesus gave His followers the commandment of the Great Commission
“18 Jesus came and told his disciples, ‘I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. 19 Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. 20 Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.’” (Matthew 28:18-20). Jesus’ parting instructions to his followers after his resurrection is known as the Great Commission. You hear it again in Acts 1:8 when Jesus says, “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
Jesus’ instructions to his followers – to be witnesses
Jesus’ followers are to be a spokesperson for the goodness and love of God in their lives. A witness tells what they have seen, heard, and experienced first-hand with the goodness of God. Followers of Jesus are to be witnesses of that truth and tell our story.
Jesus’ instructions to his followers – to make disciples
Followers of Jesus invite and walk alongside others who also want to become disciples. In the Matthew Great Commission text, the primary command is to make disciples. We are to go as led by the Spirit, baptize new disciples committing to Jesus, and teach them what Jesus taught so they can grow as followers of Jesus. Discipleship is a process of many mini-steps often over time.
Jesus’ instructions to his followers – everyone is invited
Since everyone is invited, we are to go and tell all nations. The word for nations is ethnos, where we get the word ethnic or ethnicity. Everyone is invited to become a disciple from one end of the earth to the other. We have to be receptive and open to share with every person, anytime and anywhere. The Kingdom of God welcomes all, and we are to witness to all.
Jesus’ instructions to his followers – Jesus is with us as we go
Jesus is personally with us as we go and make disciples. Jesus has been orchestrating the connection and preparing hearts that are receptive and open to receive the good news. Jesus just needs laborers in the spiritual fields because the harvest is plentiful.
We are invited to be a part of the Big Story God is doing to share the gift of God made available in a personal and intimate relationship through Jesus
Our invitation is not a chore or a task. Rather, it is a joy and privilege to share the wonderful gift of God we have been given. Followers of Jesus know firsthand how precious that gift of God’s goodness is because they cannot imagine a life without God walking beside us. We can think about how many times we turn to God in prayer. We can think about how many times we consult God’s Word for wisdom, guidance, and direction. We can think about how often we seek God’s peace in the midst of anxieties and storms. We can think about the times when we may have felt alone or unlovable, but we remember the depth of God’s love for us, and we feel loved in God’s presence.
The gift of a relationship with God through Jesus is the most precious gift ever given to us. That gift is meant to be shared with the world.
The sentiment of Christmas season offers unique opportunities to share the gift of God’s goodness
There is the sentiment of the season. Baby Jesus, the manger, the shepherds, the nativity story still capture the heart of many. Some, who would never set foot in church any other time of year, will come for Christmas. According to one survey, 7 out of 10 unchurched people have never been invited to church in their entire life. Why not ask someone to come to church for Christmas? The sentiment of the season makes it a unique time to strike up a conversation about Jesus’ birth. You can gently and humbly share what it means to you. The Christmas season is a special time to invite people to explore and experience the greatest gift ever given.
The sounds of Christmas season offers unique opportunities to share the gift of God’s goodness
Sounds of the season allow people to hear God’s story. While there are plenty of Christmas songs that have nothing to do with Jesus, during Christmas season you can hear “Joy to the World, the Lord has come” by many artists. The artists may or may not know personally the truth of what they are singing. Regardless, God’s story is being heralded.
The Spirit might open the door for a conversation. In this moment of listening and sharing, questions can include: What is your earliest memory of that song? What does that song mean to you? The issue becomes whether we are alert and recognize the opportunities and open doors the Holy Spirit may have created. There may be an opportunity for a group to go caroling in the neighborhood. Perhaps we could greet someone in person with the love of Jesus and let them know they are always welcome to visit our church in the neighborhood.
The sharing of Christmas season offers unique opportunities to share the gift of God’s goodness
The Christmas season is a natural time to share laughter, food, and gifts, even to people you don’t know very well. There are Grinches and Scrooges, but perhaps they need to feel the love of Jesus from you more than anyone!
“Every good and perfect gift comes from God.” (James 1:17). In the Christmas season of good will and gifts, even those who don’t know Jesus are actually reflecting the goodness of God, and they do not even know it. We don’t have goodness on our own. It is the goodness of God at work in us and through us.
As followers of Jesus on a mission, this is a unique time to engage in what the Spirit is doing and share God’s love, share our eating tables, share our resources, and share our time and hearts. Share so that people see not just the baby in the manger, but Jesus who came for every person. God shared first. God gave first. “God so loved the world that God gave his only begotten son.” (John 3:16).
People’s souls are starving. They are tired of walking in darkness and in need of salvation. But these are changing times for evangelism
As followers of Jesus, we know what will satisfy their longing for God and save their souls. We know and have the light they are seeking. We can engage with the sentiment, sounds, and sharing of the Christmas season, but how we engage matters.
We live in a different world, and how we share our faith needs to change with the times. God is the same yesterday, today, and forever. In some cases, we need to adjust to our changing times to be relevant, or else, no one will want to hear what we say.
In 2022, Barna did a study on spiritual openness. Barna concluded that spiritual openness is widespread across all ages. The harvest is indeed plentiful, but how we engage with that harvest has changed. Barna surveyed 2,005 adults and teenagers. Quotas were set to represent region, race/ethnicity, education, age, and gender represented in the U.S. 77 percent of those surveyed believe in God or a higher power. 74 percent said they would like to grow spiritually. 44 percent said they were more open to God than they were before the pandemic.
Please watch this video on what it means to be a witness and make disciples today (Video – Spiritual Openness). https://drive.google.com/file/d/1KM7bHP23v8mO-TzjfnrbS3s2pQa4Y_lv/view?usp=drivesdk
Let’s BLESS this Christmas
BLESS is our church’s framework and spiritual practices for sharing the Good News of Jesus as witnesses. Let us prepare and be wise about the times in which we live to truly hear the hearts and needs of those with whom we are seeking to share the love of Jesus. BLESS is an acronym: “B” Begin with prayer, “L” Listen with care, “E” eat together, “S” Serve with love, “S” Share your story.
Application for Activation
This year, the vision is to partner with the movement of the Spirit for a BLESS Christmas as we learn how to share God’s story and connect with those who are open in 2023. Let us begin together in prayer. Let’s ask the Holy Spirit to open our eyes to recognize opportunities to share and to lead us in what to say, what to do, and how to connect heart to heart with those God loves so much. Write down the names of 1-2 people who are far from God or don’t know God. Pray for them in your group and every day. Also, leave a space open for the unknown person of a divine encounter that God may orchestrate. Let’s view the video Daystar as our closing prayer. https://drive.google.com/file/d/1BTCzyN_dOc-DpY3H62uCio_jkymUJ5zw/view?usp=drivesdk
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS INCLUDING FOR USE IN FAMILY GROUPS
Sermon Preamble
-Is the goodness of God dependent on wonderful things that we are experiencing? In what ways is God good in your life regardless of what circumstances you are facing?
We can be confident of God’s goodness in our personal relationship with God
-What spiritual practices in our life journey, even in challenging circumstances, give us the confidence in the goodness of God?
There is a whole world of people who do not know God personally or know about God’s goodness
-What are some of the ways that people are disconnected from God? Why is important for you to follow the church’s framework and spiritual practices known as B.L.E.S.S. in sharing with them the goodness and love of God and Jesus?
There is an entire world walking in varying degrees of darkness; Jesus is the light
-In what ways is Jesus the light needed by the world walking in varying degrees of darkness?
The Big Story of the significance of Jesus’ birth is to join Jesus as lights in this dark world sharing the goodness of God
-What is our part in God’s Big Story for our life journey as followers of Jesus into which Jesus is inviting us?
Jesus gave His followers the commandment of the Great Commission
-What stands out to you as significant for your life journey about the instructions from Jesus in the Great Commission as set forth in Matthew 28:18-20 and Acts 1:8?
Jesus’ instructions to his followers – to be witnesses
-If you gave a testimony of the goodness of God in your life, what would you say?
Jesus’ instructions to his followers – to make disciples
What is the difference, if any, between relationship in making someone a disciple and enlisting someone as a member to go to the local church?
Jesus’ instructions to his followers – everyone is invited
-According to Matthew 28:18, is the authority of Jesus limited to only certain people? How wide and vast is the sphere of Jesus’ authority? As a result, Jesus instructs to go and make disciples of all nations. What is the meaning of the word “all nations”? What people might you have reluctance from being open to share? How can you grow to share with the heart of every person, anytime, and anywhere?
Jesus’ instructions to his followers – Jesus is with us as we go
-Is the promised presence of Jesus temporary or contingent on circumstances? According to Matthew 28:20, is God with us every day until the end of history, when the Kingdom will be consummated? Why should this give you confidence in your mission to reflect the light of Jesus to a darkened world?
We are invited to be a part of the Big Story God is doing to share the gift of God made available in a personal and intimate relationship through Jesus
-In what ways do you know firsthand how precious the gift of God’s goodness is in your life?
The sentiment of Christmas season offers unique opportunities to share the gift of God’s goodness
-Since there is general sentiment for the birth of the baby Jesus, in what ways can you connect with the heart of a person or invite a person to church during the Christmas season?
The sounds of Christmas season offers unique opportunities to share the gift of God’s goodness
-When Christmas songs are being heard, in what ways might the Holy Spirit be encouraging you to listen and share?
The sharing of Christmas season offers unique opportunities to share the gift of God’s goodness
-In the Christmas season of sharing much, including gifts, what might the Holy Spirit be leading you to share the light of God’s love and goodness to a darkened world?
People’s souls are starving. They are tired of walking in darkness and in need of salvation. But these are changing times for evangelism
-Since the pandemic, the Barna study concluded that spiritual openness is widespread across all ages. How should you adjust to the changing times in presenting the light of Jesus with relevance?
Let’s BLESS this Christmas
-What does each of the letters of B.L.E.S.S. stand for as an acronym?
Application for Activation
-As you begin BLESS with prayer, are you willing to pray daily as you learn how to share God’s story and connect with those who are open in 2023?
Posted in A B.L.E.S.S. Christmas
Posted in good, Advent, relationship, witness, disciple, everyone, Jesus with us, sentiment, sounds, music, share, love, resource, time, heart, bless, Psalm 27, confident, Emmanuel, darkness, Light, Big Story, Matthew 28, great commission, Acts 1:8, winess, disciples
Posted in good, Advent, relationship, witness, disciple, everyone, Jesus with us, sentiment, sounds, music, share, love, resource, time, heart, bless, Psalm 27, confident, Emmanuel, darkness, Light, Big Story, Matthew 28, great commission, Acts 1:8, winess, disciples
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