In difficult times, the temptation is to shrink your reach, but God wants us to stretch our faith and lengthen our reach.
Enlarge the place of your tent, stretch your tent curtains wide, do not hold back; lengthen your cords, strengthen your stakes. 3 For you will spread out to the right and to the left; your descendants will dispossess nations and settle in their desolate cities. —Isaiah 54:2-3
God sent Jesus to address humanity’s ultimate issue…
This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. 10 This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. —1 John 4:9-10
Jesus sends us to take the good news that there is peace with God through Him… into all the world.
Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” —John 20:21
“… 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
This is the message of Good News for the people of Israel—that there is peace with God through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all. —Acts 10:36 NLT
“See, the LORD your God has given you the land. Go up and take possession of it as the LORD, the God of your ancestors, told you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” —Deuteronomy 1:21
Taking with them some of the fruit of the land, they brought it down to us and reported, “It is a good land that the LORD our God is giving us.” —Deuteronomy 1:25
Discipleship Guide
Let’s Connect
- What is a big dream you have?
Let’s Talk About It
In difficult seasons, the temptation is to shrink your reach, but God wants us to strengthen our faith and lengthen our reach. He gave us the example by sending His Son, Jesus to address our ultimate need – forgiveness of sins. Jesus sends us with Good News that there is peace with God through Him. As a community, let’s continue to lengthen our reach to share the Good News of Jesus with others.
Isaiah 54:2-3; 1 John 4:9-10; John 20:21; Acts 1:8; Acts 10:36, 42-43; Deuteronomy 1:21-25; Numbers 13:26-27
- Which part of the message made an impact, caught your attention or challenged you?
- Read Isaiah 54:2-3. Think of three people who you would like to see come to know Christ. Who are you praying for and planning to invite to church or small group? How can you lengthen your reach towards them?
- Read John 20:21, Acts 1:8 and Acts 10:36. What does it look like for you to take the good news that there is peace with God through Jesus to your workplace, school, community? What would you tell them?
- Read Numbers 13:26-27, Deuteronomy 1:21-25. Pastor Gregg shared about the opportunity we have to purchase a church property. Dream a little…How would having a church home like this provide us an opportunity to lengthen our reach in Honolulu? Discuss with your group.
Take a Step
- Where is God asking you to lengthen your reach? What step can you take?
SOAP reading
- Day 1: Psalm 7, 2 Timothy 1
- Day 2: Psalm 26, 2 Timothy 2
- Day 3: Psalm 45, 2 Timothy 3
- Day 4: Psalm 59, 2 Timothy 4
- Day 5: Psalm 72, Titus 1
- Day 6: Psalm 88, Titus 2
- Day 7: Psalm 102, Titus 3
Here’s My Prayer
Lord, thank you for your amazing love and goodness in sending Jesus to provide for our sins. Strengthen us with your presence and power to lengthen our reach and share this good news with others.
Heavenly Father, thank you for miraculously bringing us to The Willows property. Please increase our faith and continue to miraculously provide through us as we move forward in the process to purchase The Willows.