Life Group Guide: Being Like Jesus - Priorities for Effective Ministry
Opening Prayer
Key Takeaways:
1. Jesus had four main priorities in His ministry:
a. Prayer life / communication with the Father
b. Attending synagogue (Church)
c. Small groups (Life Groups)
d. Ministering in the harvest field
2. We are called to be witnesses and make disciples of all nations.
3. The importance of the baptism in the Holy Spirit for empowerment in ministry.
4. Our goal should be to lead many to righteousness and shine like stars forever.
Discussion Questions:
1. How would you describe your current prayer life? What steps can you take to improve your communication with God?
2. Why do you think regular church attendance was a priority for Jesus? How has being part of a church community impacted your faith?
3. The sermon mentioned “spiritual poverty.” How would you explain this concept to someone who isn’t familiar with it?
4. Discuss the significance of water baptism and baptism in the Holy Spirit. Have you experienced these? If so, how have they affected your walk with God?
5. What are some practical ways we can be “the church in the harvest field” in our daily lives?
6. The pastor mentioned several types of evangelism (prayer evangelism, testimony evangelism, etc.). Which of these resonates most with you and why?
7. How does the idea of receiving “wages” or eternal rewards for leading others to Christ impact your motivation for evangelism?
Practical Applications:
1. Start a prayer list for unsaved friends, family members, and acquaintances. Commit to praying for them regularly.
2. Practice giving your testimony in 1-2 minutes. Share it with a partner in the group.
3. This week, look for opportunities to be a witness in your everyday environments (work, school, neighborhood). Share your experiences at the next meeting.
4. Consider starting or joining a small group focused on reaching non-believers. Discuss potential strategies as a group.
5. Reflect on the four priorities of Jesus’ ministry. Which area do you need to grow in most? Make a specific plan to improve in that area.
Closing Prayer:
Thank God for the example of Jesus and ask for His empowerment to be effective witnesses in your spheres of influence.
Extra Discussion Questions:
How can we cultivate a prayer life that maintains constant communication with God, as Jesus did with the Father?
What does it mean to ‘shine like the stars forever’ by leading many to righteousness, and how can we practically work towards this in our daily lives?
How can we balance the four priorities of Jesus’ ministry (prayer, church attendance, small groups, and evangelism) in our own spiritual journeys?
In what ways can we become more aware of and responsive to the ‘Spirit of the Lord’ being upon us, as Jesus proclaimed in Luke 4?
How might our approach to evangelism change if we truly viewed people without Christ as ‘spiritually destitute’, regardless of their material wealth?
What are some creative ways we can use our homes and daily routines to create ‘small groups’ that reach the unchurched?
How can we develop a ‘2020 vision’ of ministry that balances both public teaching and house-to-house discipleship?
What does it mean to be ‘baptized into the revelation’ of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, and how can we grow in our understanding of each?
How can we overcome the ‘bruises’ in our lives and the lives of others to become more effective witnesses for Christ?
What practical steps can we take to start our own ‘life groups’ focused on reaching the lost, and what challenges might we face in doing so?
5-day Bible reading plan and devotional guide:
Day 1: The Power of Prayer
Reading: Luke 18:1-8
Devotional: Jesus emphasized the importance of persistent prayer in our spiritual lives. Just as He maintained constant communication with the Father, we too are called to “pray always” (Luke 18:1). Prayer is not just about asking for things, but about developing an intimate relationship with God. Today, reflect on your prayer life. Are you in constant communication with God? Do you share your joys, sorrows, and everyday moments with Him? Consider setting aside dedicated time for prayer, but also practice “praying without ceasing” throughout your day. Remember, God is always listening and desires to hear from you.
Day 2: The Church Gathered and Scattered
Reading: Acts 2:42-47
Devotional: The early church thrived through both large gatherings and small house meetings. They devoted themselves to teaching, fellowship, breaking bread, and prayer. This balance of corporate worship and intimate community is vital for our spiritual growth. As you read about the early church, consider your own involvement in both your local church and smaller fellowship groups. How can you contribute to building a strong, supportive community of believers? Look for opportunities to serve in your church and to connect more deeply with fellow believers in smaller settings.
Day 3: Empowered by the Holy Spirit
Reading: Acts 1:4-8
Devotional: Jesus emphasized the importance of being filled with the Holy Spirit, even delaying His disciples’ ministry until they received this empowerment. The Holy Spirit equips us with power, wisdom, and spiritual gifts to effectively serve God and others. Reflect on your own experience with the Holy Spirit. Have you fully embraced His presence and power in your life? Ask God to fill you afresh with His Spirit today, and be open to the ways He wants to work through you to impact others with His love and truth.
Day 4: Sharing Your Faith
Reading: 1 Peter 3:15-16
Devotional: Peter encourages us to always be ready to share the reason for the hope we have in Christ. Your personal testimony of God’s work in your life is a powerful tool for evangelism. Take some time today to reflect on your journey with Christ. How has He changed your life? What difference has knowing Him made? Practice articulating your testimony in a clear, concise way. Ask God for opportunities to share your faith with others, and for the courage to seize those moments when they arise.
Day 5: Making Disciples
Reading: Matthew 28:18-20
Devotional: Jesus’ final command to His disciples was to go and make disciples of all nations. This Great Commission is our primary mission as followers of Christ. Making disciples involves more than just leading people to faith; it’s about helping them grow in their understanding and application of God’s truth. Consider your own role in disciple-making. Who has God placed in your life that you can mentor or encourage in their faith journey? How can you be more intentional about fulfilling this calling? Pray for wisdom and opportunities to invest in others’ spiritual growth, whether through one-on-one relationships, small groups, or other ministry opportunities.
Blog Post:
*Living Like Jesus: Four Priorities for a Purposeful Life*
In our journey as Christians, we often aspire to be more like Jesus. But what does that truly mean in practice? How can we embody the essence of Christ in our daily lives? By examining Jesus’ life and ministry, we can identify four key priorities that shaped His earthly mission – priorities we can adopt to transform our own spiritual walk.
1. The Power of Prayer: A Constant Connection
At the heart of Jesus’ ministry was His unwavering communication with the Father. From the moment He left heaven, even before His earthly birth, Jesus was in constant dialogue with God. This reminds us of the vital importance of prayer in our own lives.
Prayer isn’t just a ritual or a sporadic practice – it’s meant to be the foundation of our Christian life. We’re called to “pray always,” but how is that possible? For many, praying in tongues, singing in the spirit, or simply maintaining an ongoing inner dialogue with God throughout the day are powerful ways to stay connected.
Whether it’s the prayer of faith, the prayer of agreement, intercessory prayer, or simply declaring God’s Word over our lives, maintaining that constant communication with our Heavenly Father is crucial. Just as Jesus said, “I say nothing and I do nothing except I hear and see the Father do it,” we too should strive for that level of intimacy and guidance in our relationship with God.
The Importance of Church: Rooted and Growing
Jesus made it a priority to attend the synagogue regularly. For us today, this translates to being planted in a Bible-believing church where we can allow our roots to grow deep into the Word of God and produce fruit.
Church isn’t just about attending services – it’s about growing in God, maturing in our faith, and becoming equipped to fulfill our purpose. With the abundance of resources available today – from small groups to online teachings – we have unprecedented opportunities to grow rapidly in our faith.
Remember, church isn’t just a building or an event. We are the church, called to reflect Christ to the world around us. As we gather together and grow in our understanding of God’s Word, we become better equipped to share His love with others.The Power of Small Groups: Church Scattered
Jesus didn’t just minister in large gatherings; He also invested deeply in smaller groups. The early church followed this model, meeting both in the temple and from house to house. This “big meeting and little meeting” approach allows for both corporate worship and intimate discipleship.
Small groups provide a unique opportunity for deeper connections, more personal ministry, and a safe space to grow in faith. They allow us to experience church not just as a weekly event, but as a lifestyle of community and mutual support.The Call to Harvest: Being the Church in the World
Perhaps the most significant aspect of Jesus’ ministry was His constant engagement with people wherever He went. He didn’t confine His ministry to religious settings but was always ready to touch lives in the marketplace, on the streets, or wherever He encountered need.
This is our call as well – to be the church in the harvest field. This means using our homes for small groups, ministering to our families and friends, and being attentive to the promptings of the Holy Spirit to pray for or reach out to those we encounter in our daily lives.
Practical ways to engage in this harvest include:- Spirit-led evangelism
- Heart-led prompting prayers
- Maintaining a prayer list for unsaved loved ones
- Sharing your testimony
- Simple acts of encouragement and edification
Remember, Jesus has given us “all authority in heaven and on earth” and commissioned us to “go and make disciples of all nations.” This isn’t just a call for professional ministers – it’s a mandate for every believer to share the good news and help others grow in their faith.
Embracing the Challenge
As we reflect on these four priorities – prayer, church involvement, small group participation, and active engagement in the harvest – we’re challenged to examine our own lives. Are we truly living like Jesus? Are we maintaining that constant connection with the Father? Are we rooted in a community of believers and growing in our faith? Are we investing in deeper relationships through small groups? And are we actively engaged in sharing the love of Christ with those around us?
The beautiful promise is that as we step out in faith to embrace these priorities, we’re not alone. Jesus assures us, “I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” We have the power of the Holy Spirit to guide us, empower us, and work through us to impact lives for eternity.
Moreover, there’s a profound reward awaiting those who answer this call. The Bible speaks of those who lead many to righteousness shining “like the stars forever and ever.” Our obedience and faithfulness in this life have eternal implications, not just for ourselves but for countless others who may come to know Christ through our witness.
So let’s embrace this challenge with enthusiasm and purpose. Let’s commit to deepening our prayer lives, engaging more fully in our local churches, participating in or even starting small groups, and actively looking for opportunities to share God’s love in our daily lives.
As we do, we’ll find ourselves growing more and more into the likeness of Christ, fulfilling our purpose, and experiencing the joy of seeing lives transformed by the power of the gospel. This is the adventure of faith we’re called to – a life of purpose, impact, and eternal significance. Are you ready to embrace it?