Sermon Based Small Group Lessons

Why the Church Exists

2008 July 27

David Johnson

Guest Speaker, Executive Director of Dulos Ministries, Former Senior Pastor of DaySpring Baptist in Mobile and formerly Executive Pastor of Hunter Street Baptist Church

Opening Question

(New groups: Share your name and the answer to the following question.)

Why do you believe the church exists?

Focus Passages

Luke 19:10 For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.

Digging for Truth

1. David quoted a New Orleans Seminary survey stating that 1500 churches in Alabama will close by 2020. Why do you think so many churches are closing their doors during our generation?

2. There is a great significance of last words. Have you ever exchanged last words with someone who is dying? How significant was that to you? Today we’re looking at Christ’s last words.

3. Matt. 28:19-20 Jesus says “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to obey all that I have commanded.” What phrases of this command best summarize the command?

Possible: make disciples

go (meaning “as you go” or “as you live life”)

baptizing

teaching

4. John 20:21 “As the Father has sent Me, I also send you.” The focus passage tells why Jesus was sent. What was that purpose? Therefore, what is our purpose?

5. David said the words “Well done, good and faithful servant” are reserved for those who have gone. On a scale of 1-10, how faithful have we been at fulfilling our purpose?

6. Baptism is not a suggestion, it is a command. Let’s have some of us share details about our baptism and what it meant to you.

7. The Great Commission (Matt. 28:19-20, above #3) also instructs us to “teach them to observe all things I have commanded.” James says your works authenticate your faith. Therefore the key is not knowing about God but about obedience to the words of Jesus. We don’t get credit for what we know, but what we do. Have we ever gotten this backwards?

8. Read John 14:23-24. This verse states that we exhibit our love for God by “keeping Jesus’ words.” Therefore, if we aren’t going and making disciples, we don’t love Jesus sincerely in the first place. What do we need to do to increase our love for Christ that results in obedience?

9. David said, “Let’s make sure we’re failing forward or learning from our mistakes.” To sit and do nothing is wrong. We’ll never do evangelism perfectly. We need to be learning and improving by practicing. Evangelism is the work of God, He just calls us to be faithful. Jesus will give us the words.

10. In Cuba, 1400 churches have been started since 2001. They reach 15,000 a month with the gospel. Between 80-90% share their faith on a regular basis. In the US, only 2% share their faith on a regular basis. What would happen if 80% of US believers shared their faith regularly?

11. Our relationship with Christ starts when we accept His gift of eternal life. Christ died on the cross for us. We get to heaven by accepting that gift, not by doing good works. If you have not begun a relationship with Christ, talk with someone soon about how to begin a relationship with Christ.

Closing Thought

What is God calling you to do this week as a result of this study? Who does Jesus want you to share with this week?