Topic: Conference
READY TO LET THE WORLD SEE
Series: ‘Let The World See’ Hope Conference 2019
Discussion Guide
How do we prepare ourselves to let the world see?
Being salt and light is no easy feat. How can we go against the tide to stand firm on our beliefs and values? How can we overcome the odds to influence the world for Christ?
The Church must be ready to fulfil its mission to be in the world but not of the world. We must be discipled to exercise our influence as salt and light. We must learn to depend on God and keep in step with the Holy Spirit to retain our distinctiveness. We must be prepared to Let the World See Christ in Us.
Reflection Questions
Why is it important to maintain our “saltiness”? In what ways can we be contaminated and lose the distinctiveness of our identity as the people of God? How can we encourage one another to keep our “saltiness”?
WHY LET THE WORLD SEE?
Series: ‘Let The World See’ Hope Conference 2019
Discussion Guide
Is God an attention-seeking God? Is He a narcissist with a desire for admiration? Why does God want the world to see Him?
It is not out of ego that God desires for the Gospel to be preached. It is to fulfil His purposes of redemption that He calls upon His Church to witness, to Let the World See and hear the Gospel proclaimed. Out of love and kindness towards man, He seeks to lead us out of darkness and into His light. His heart is to bring salvation to all who may believe.
Reflection Questions
1) As God’s church, we are sent to the world. Why is it important that we make Christ relevant to people who are unfamiliar or uncomfortable with Christian jargon and activities? What are the obstacles we may face? Who are such people in our lives today? How can we think creatively to reach them with compassion?
2) As we preach the Gospel, how are we preaching it with both our words and with our lives? What challenges do we face in it? What can we do as a community to preach in this way?
LET THE WORLD SEE JESUS
2 Corinthians 4:7-12
Series: ‘Let The World See’ Hope Conference 2019
Discussion Guide
What do we let the world see?
People may show off their strengths, their wealth, their intelligence, their power. Others may feel they are weak and have no qualities worth highlighting. Yet, as believers, who we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord (2 Corinthians 4:5).
In 2 Corinthians 4:7, Paul elaborates how, we “have treasures in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us”. The contrast is clear. We are likened to simple, inexpensive, easily broken jars of clay which bear treasure; the powerful glorious light of the Gospel. As “jars of clay”, we are vessels that carry the treasure. The focus is on the treasure and not the vessel. When we let the world see, it is not our own strengths that we display. We Let the World See Christ in Us.
Though some of us may go through difficult times, through suffering, through weakness like Paul did in his ministry, we have the assurance that the power of God sustains us. It is in our weakness that we depend on God’s power and not our own. We do this so that the life of Christ might be revealed in us, that Christ may be glorified. In this way, the treasure is shared and the Gospel is preached because we Let the World See Christ in Us.
Reflection Questions
1) What do you think is your main weakness(es)? How has it hindered you from serving Christ? How does knowing that God can use you to serve and witness through your weakness change your view of your weakness(es)?
2) Make a list with one column of the cost you have to bear so far as a disciple of Christ, and another column of what Jesus has done for you. How does Jesus’ sacrifice for you contrast with what you have gone through for Him?