INTRODUCTION

Edward Kimball was an American known for converting the evangelist Dwight L. Moody to Christianity. Kimball was Moody’s Sunday School teacher. Moody was so touched by Kimball’s little gesture of kindness in his class that he continued to attend Sunday School. During a conversation with Kimball, the 18-year-old Moody came to faith in Christianity. Moody went on to evangelise worldwide and was one of the greatest evangelists of the nineteenth century. Kimball’s conversion of Moody to Christianity is an example of the influence that one “ordinary” individual can have in spreading Christianity through evangelism.

Most of us will probably agree that our days are filled with to-do lists and mundane, routine activities. Like Kimball, our days are pretty ordinary. But you never know how God can use moments in our seemingly ordinary days to impact eternity. In this 3-part series, we look to God’s Word to figure out how we can live a life that matters. 

DISCUSSION

1. Share a moment in your life when God has used you to make a significant impact in someone’s life or perhaps God has used someone else to make a significant impact in your life. How did that happen and what was the result of it?
2. Read John 17:18, John 20:21, Mark 16:15. As Christ’s disciples, we are sent out into the world. When you read these scriptures, what is your initial reaction about being sent out? Why do you feel this way?
3. John 1:14 says, “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us”. The word ‘us’ refers to a specific group of people. Jesus knew who He was sent to. As Jesus travelled around Galilee, he called specific people to follow and learn from him. As his ministry continued, Jesus chose 12 men to be his closest disciples. They spent 3.5 years with Him learning and understanding about the kingdom of God, and then Jesus sent them out to preach the good news of the kingdom (read Mark 6:7-13 and John 20:19-31).

   a. Do you know who are the people God has sent you to? Can you identify specific names in some of these environments God has placed you in?

   • Neighbourhood
   • School
   • Workplace (includes national service camps/bases)
   • Family

   You may use the impact list to help you.

   b. How do you begin approaching them? The preacher shared about the high-five test: Start by making the first step to engage with those people you’ve been sent to and pay attention to those who have responded to you positively.

   In your LifeGroup, share some ways how you have made the first step to reach out to someone else and draw closer to them. What have you learned from these experiences?

4. Sometimes, drawing close to people requires us to apply the verse Luke 9:23, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.” It can be uncomfortable and scary. And when people don’t reciprocate or respond positively, it can dampen your spirit to try again.

   a. Encourage anyone in your LifeGroup who has a genuine fear or concern to engage relationally.

   b. Brainstorm some practical ways you can tackle the fear of rejection or awkwardness in taking the first step to draw closer to those we have been sent.

   c. Pray for one another to be healed from past failed engagements with people and for boldness to reach out. 

WHAT WILL YOU DO

The preacher highlighted these three postures we can take to draw closer to people and point them to God: 

1. Shoulder to shoulder – Look for common ground and start building. C.S. Lewis said, “It is when we are doing things together that friendship springs up – painting, sailing ships, praying, philosophising, and fighting shoulder to shoulder. Friends look in the same direction.”

    

2. Face to Face – Being open and vulnerable to one another. It is in face-to-face interactions that God does the best work. Listen to the longing in people’s hearts, listen to their loss and identify the lies people have believed. Face to face gives us the opportunity to share the gospel.

    

3. Back to back – When we faithfully sow into relationships and are consistent over time, we end up caring for and strengthening one another such that we have each others’ backs.

If we step out of our comfort zone, learn to do the above well and keep relying on the Holy Spirit, we will be used as a tool in God’s hand to make an eternal impact in someone’s life. God uses ordinary people to do the unexpected. Perhaps, you will discover that a life that truly matters is to go to the people whom God has sent you! 

MEMORY VERSE

The Word became flesh and blood, and moved into the neighbourhood. – John 1:14 (The Message)