“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely, I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” —Matthew 28:19-20 NIV
He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation.” —Mark 16:15 NIV
“As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” —John 20:21 NIV
He told them, “This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things. I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.” —Luke 24:46-49 NIV
“You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” —Acts 1:8 NIV
We cannot
Just then his disciples returned and were surprised to find him talking with a woman. But no one asked, “What do you want?” or “Why are you talking with her?” 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 Christ?” They came out of the town and made their way toward him. Meanwhile his disciples urged him, “Rabbi, eat something.” But he said to them, “I have food to eat that you know nothing about.” Then his disciples said to each other, “Could someone have brought him food?” “My food,” said Jesus, “is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work. Do you not say, ‘Four months more and then the harvest’? I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest.” —John 4:27-35 NIV
If God answered all my prayers, would it
1. Open my eyes to
In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps. —Proverbs 16:9 NIV
Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too. You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had. Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When he appeared in human form, he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross. —Philippians 2:3-5 NLT
To change our world, we need to
2. Open my eyes to
When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. —Matthew 9:36 NIV
To change our world, we don’t have to
3. Open our eyes to
The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. —John 1:14 NIV
To change our world, we need to show people the same kind of love God showed us:
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Part 3 – Open Your Eyes
This week Pastor Chris shared Part 3 of our “Change Your World” series and encouraged us to open our eyes to the world around us so we can truly see people and fulfill the Great Commission. When we suffer from spiritual nearsightedness, we don’t see people, and we cannot reach who we cannot see. When we do see people, we feel responsible for them and want to do something to meet their needs. Let’s be conscious of the people who are around us, listen to them, have compassion on them, and give them what they need in grace and truth.
Make it Practical
1. Let’s open our eyes to where they are. We need to connect before we correct.
2. Let’s open our eyes to who they are. We don’t have to be like them, but we do have to like them.
3. Let’s open our eyes to what they need. We need to show people the same kind of love God showed us: Unconditional love.
(John 4:35 NIV) “I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest.”
Talk About it
1. If God answered all your prayers, would it change the world or just change you? How can we intentionally move our prayers from nearsighted to farsighted?
2. Sometimes we don’t see right because we don’t see God right. Do think God - Can’t be reached? Doesn’t want you? Requires a lot from you? Or do you see God as a free gift? As a group, discuss which of these views feels most relatable to you and why. What is the truth?
3. This week we had baptisms and got to hear stories of how people’s lives have changed because of Jesus. What is your story?
- What was life like before you met Jesus?
- How did you meet Jesus?
- How has your life changed since?
- Who was the most influential person in your decision to accept Jesus?
Try to keep these stories as brief as possible.
Leader Tips
This week should be a time where your group grows deeper. Sharing testimonies can be emotional, exciting, and inspiring. Have some tissues ready for those who may need them. If time is an issue, skip to/start with question #3 and allow this to be the focus of group. Be sure to emphasize that in hearing one another’s stories, it should remind us to keep our eyes open for others we can show the love of Christ to and impact their story.
Close in prayer asking your group for prayer requests that are farsighted. Nearsighted prayer requests are ok but try to come up with some farsighted prayers as well.