LGC - Meeting Jesus Part 2

Meeting Jesus

Rhordan Wicks

INTRODUCTION

What happens when you encounter Jesus? We can do the works of Christianity but never really encounter Jesus. Being a Christian is not about going to church, living a good life or being raised in a Christian home. It is not even about believing in God. It is about being a follower of Jesus Christ and having a relationship with Him.

Last week, we began the story of the Samaritan woman who encountered Jesus at the well. The interaction with Jesus changed the course of her life that she could not help but share with those around her. This week, we discovered another key idea from her story – Jesus wants to work IN us so that He can work THROUGH us.

God still works through vessels.
God still works in unexpected people.
God still works through an unmistakable testimony.
God still works through an uncomplicated invitation.

DISCUSSION

Imagine God sending you to someone. How would you feel if God changed someone for eternity through you?
Matthew 4:19, “And he said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” A disciple is one who is transformed into the image of Christ but it does not stop here. Jesus works in us so that He can work through us. A Christ-follower is also committed to God’s mission.
a.
How do you feel about sharing Jesus with people who don’t follow Him?
b. What do you need in order to feel like sharing Jesus is worth the risks?
Read John 4:1-42 and Acts 8:26-38.
a. God used an unnamed, unseen, unready Samaritan woman to bring the gospel to her townsfolk. What does this tell you about God?
b. In the story of Philip and the Ethiopian eunuch, God had already initiated a relationship with the Ethiopian. The man was curious, was reading scripture and was waiting for an interpretation. How did Philip respond to God? What do you admire about Philip?
c. How can you begin to regularly (daily or weekly) ask the Holy Spirit to make you more sensitive to Him?
John 4:39, “Many of the Samaritans from that town believed in him because of the woman’s testimony…” Transformational stories, especially those that show how we submit our life to Jesus as Lord, are important in sharing faith and turning casual conversations into eternal ones. When we share our brokenness and allow others to see our imperfections, they also can see how we are letting Jesus change us.
a. Using this handle, “Before Christ (BC) | Meeting Christ (MC) | After Christ (AC)”, write down your transformational story. Think about the area of transformation on which you want to focus and avoid using Christian jargon. Some guidelines below:

Before Christ – When you think about this area of life, what was it like before you submitted it to God’s control and leading?
Meeting Christ – How did you come to the decision to submit this area of life to Jesus? What caused you to change your mind (repent) and give God control?
After Christ – How has God been changing you as you submit this area to him? What fruits of the Spirit are starting to show?
b. Practice sharing your testimony with someone/LG members.
c. Ask the Holy Spirit if there’s someone ready who should hear the transformational story you wrote.

WHAT WOULD YOU DO

The Samaritan woman had no theological training but she had an awakening moment. Her spiritual eyes opened which compelled her to run towards her town bearing the greatest news ever told. The invitation was simple, “Come, see a man who told me everything I ever did. Could this be the Messiah?” She invited them to meet Jesus.

Would you pray and ask the Holy Spirit to bring one person to mind and give you the opportunity to invite him or her to respond to Jesus? Would you be bold to pray daily, “God, if you open a connection, I will make the invitation.” When God opens the door, would you go and make the invitation?

MEMORY VERSE

“Then, leaving her water jar, the woman went back to the town and said to the people, “Come, see a man who told me everything I ever did. Could this be the Messiah?” They came out of the town and made their way toward him.” ~ John 4:28-30 (NIV)