open – the life of a dangerous witnesschildren of israel were encamped (see map) prior to...

OPEN – THE LIFE OF A DANGEROUS WITNESS

AFC LIFE GROUPS

PREVIEW Imagine that you’re in heaven and many, many people come to you and hug you and thank you for sharing your story and His story with them while on earth. They tell you that they may not have been there in heaven, if it weren’t for you being so OPEN to have shared the good news with them. Then imagine Jesus, just smiling a great big smile, and saying, “Well done, My good and faithful servant”. This curriculum will catapult you into being the OPEN witness for Christ that He’s called you to be – and then what you’ve imagined, will indeed become reality one day!

BE RESOLUTE IN THE HARVEST! The LIFE GROUPS Discipleship Ministry Team “BE OPEN”

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Session One – OPEN LIVES - Your First & Best Impression is the Life You Lead ..........2

SESSION ONE NOTES: .................................................................................................3

Session Two – OPEN ARMS - Connecting Those Apart From Christ ...............................4

SESSION TWO NOTES: ................................................................................................6

SESSION THREE – OPEN WITNESS - What is Your Story? ..........................................7

SESSION THREE NOTES: ............................................................................................9

SESSION FOUR – OPEN TO ALL - Knowing and Sharing the Story of the Savior ......10

SESSION FOUR NOTES: .............................................................................................10

SESSION FIVE – OPEN MOUTH – Timely Truth Sharing ............................................11

SESSION FIVE NOTES: ..............................................................................................12

SESSION SIX – OPEN DOORS - Praying for the Holy Spirit at Work ..........................13

SESSION SIX NOTES: .................................................................................................14

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OPEN – THE LIFE OF A DANGEROUS WITNESS

SESSION ONE – OPEN LIVES, YOUR FIRST & BEST IMPRESSION IS THE LIFE YOU LEAD

Summary

In this first session we study the life of the prophet Hosea, whose name in Hebrew means “Salvation” or “Deliverance”. He is an 8th Century Prophet, who could be thought of as a “Covenant Cop”. He is a missionary/evangelist in the northern kingdom of Israel which include the 10 northern tribes. Hosea served under six kings in all. We can read about these kings and their reign in 2 Kings 15-18. Unfortunately, the Bible says that all of these kings “did evil in the eyes of the Lord”.

Hosea is directed by God to marry a prostitute (Gomer – which is derived from the verb that means “come to an end”) and they have three children: a son, Jezreel (proohetic word of avenging), a daughter, Lo-Ruhamah (No-Mercy) and another son, Lo-Ammi (Not My People).

In Hosea 3:1-5 we see that Gomer has left Hosea (possibly for many years) and has gone back into an immoral lifestyle. God directs Hosea to bring her back, so he goes and pays a price; buys her back and brings her back home.

The story of Hosea and Gomer is a type and shadow of God’s love for us, as He loved us while we were still sinners. Romans 5:8 says, “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” It is also symbolic of the return of the prodigal son. It’s amazing that Hosea went and paid for what he already owned, in redeeming Gomer. Thus this story is also a living testimony of God’s heart, His steadfast love and redemptive power.

In Hosea 3:5, Hosea prophesies saying, “Afterward the children of Israel shall return and seek the Lord their God and David their king.” The Hebrew word for return is shuwb (shoob, Strong’s H7725) which means literally to turn back (hence, away); not necessarily to the starting point.

Hosea lived a very public life and was recognized as a man of integrity. His life contrasted the nation of Israel at that time and Hosea must have known clearly, “I need God to do what He asks of me”. With everything going on in the nation and in his life, Hosea most likely had to return to God time and time again for encouragement and clarity. Above all, Hosea heard from God and was clearly obedient. He must have clearly understood that God is a God of love, mercy and lovingkindness and will never change in that regard.

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GROUP DISCUSSION

1. Discuss how Hosea’s life contrasted with the people of the nation of Israel in that day

2. How do you think he was treated in those days? 3. How does his life relate to a believer’s life today?

PERSONAL ACTION STEPS

1. What is my life saying about Jesus? 2. What is your passion – what do you talk about a lot? 3. What do people see when difficult things come into your life? How do you react

as a person of faith?

SESSION ONE NOTES:

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SESSION TWO – OPEN ARMS, CONNECTING THOSE APART FROM CHRIST Summary

This session focuses on the story of Jonah, another “minor” prophet in the Old Testament of the Bible. Jonah, like Hosea, is an 8th Century BC “Covenant Cop”.

Jonah first appears 2nd Kings 14:25: “25 He (King Jeroboam II of Israel) restored the territory of Israel from the entrance of Hamath to the Sea of the Arabah, according to the word of the Lord God of Israel, which He had spoken through His servant Jonah the son of Amittai, the prophet who was from Gath Hepher.”

In the book of Jonah, we see that Jonah is called by God to go to a city in Assyria, namely Nineveh. At this time, Assyria is a staunch enemy of Israel and so Jonah is reluctant to go.

Map from: http://www.bible-history.com/geography/maps/map_ancient_near_east.html

Jonah decides instead to go to Tarshish, some 2,500 miles in the opposite direction!

Nineveh

Jerusalem

Jerusalem

Tarshish

https://visualunit.me/2011/01/17/jonah-map/

http://www.bible-history.com/geography/maps/map_ancient_near_east.html

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The story of Jonah is NOT a parable. In Matthew 12:40 Jesus said, “For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of a great fish, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the heart.” This is a story of actual events.

After setting sail on a ship out of Joppa, there arose a mighty tempest on the sea and Jonah gets thrown overboard and swallowed by a great fish “prepared by the Lord”. Jonah cries out to the Lord and ultimately the great fish vomits Jonah onto dry land where he journeys into the city of Nineveh and cries out to its citizens, “Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown!”

The people there believe Word of God, proclaim a fast and repent. God then relents and in His grace and mercy, forgives Nineveh and does not destroy it. The HB word for merciful in 4:2 is rachuwm (rakh-oom’, Strong’s H7349), which means compassionate – full of compassion, merciful, lovingkindness.

But Jonah is distraught because God did not destroy Nineveh, and God asks the question, “Is it right for you to be angry?...And should I not pity Nineveh, that great city, in which are more than one hundred and twenty thousand persons who cannot discern between their right hand and their left – and much livestock?”

This story is a type and shadow of God’s infinite forgiveness toward a sinful people who repent; people who receive Jesus as Lord and Savior.

It is interesting that Jonah’s intent appears to be one for the destruction of the enemy of Israel, the Assyrians, and not of mercy and forgiveness should they repent. He is driven not by fear of going to Nineveh and proclaiming the Word of the Lord, but by his expectation that God could “let this staunch enemy of Israel off the hook” if they indeed did repent.

GROUP DISCUSSION

1. Discuss Jonah’s story and why you think Jonah ran away from God’s request 2. Discuss whether or not Jonah was operating in the flesh when he got on the boat to

go to Tarshish, or when the plant that provided shade for him withered 3. How did God respond to Jonah’s disobedience? 4. How does this relate to today’s Christians?

Today, it can be human nature to look at people who we don’t necessarily relate to or even like and have the same feeling as apparently Jonah had toward the Ninevehites. This is the way of the world in which we live. But even though we live in the world, as Christians, we are not of the world. We should see people the way God sees people and understand our role to reach out to all peoples of the world.


To help us in this effort here are some simple action items to have OPEN ARMS TO THOSE AROUND US:

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1. Ask God to help you see people in a different way 2. Name a person that you know is lost 3. Begin praying for the person 4. Continue to pray for the person you named 5. Are there some common interests between you and that person? 6. What ways can you connect? 7. Be proactive in your burden for this person: schedule some time with that person

so you can begin to influence them for Jesus Christ; reach out to them in love 8. Invite them to church!

SESSION TWO NOTES:

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SESSION THREE – OPEN WITNESS, WHAT IS YOUR STORY? Summary

Session three deals with the intriguing character of Rahab. The story of Rahab is found written in the book of Joshua which covers the conquering of the “Promised Land” and dividing it among the twelve tribes. Recall that Joshua has been elevated to succeed Moses prior to the children of Israel crossing over the river Jordan. In that season, we see Joshua spending quite a bit of time in the Tent of Meeting, worshipping and consulting the Lord.

We know that the story of Rahab is accurate and historically true as she was named by three separate writers of the New Testament. The first is found in James 2:25, where James asks, “Likewise, was not Rahab the harlot also justified by works when she

received the messengers and sent them out another way? 26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.”

The second mention of Rahab in the New Testament comes from Hebrews 11:31, where it is written, “By faith the harlot, Rahab did not perish with those who did not believe, when she had received the spies with peace.”

Lastly, we see Rahab listed in the genealogy of Jesus Christ in Matthew 1:5!

Rahab was living in Jericho just across the Jordan River from where Joshua and all of the children of Israel were encamped (see map) prior to crossing.

It is evident that the reputation of God had gone before the children of Israel as they were about to enter the Promised Land. Even

though the people of Jericho were godless, they were in stark fear and believed that the one true God had given the land back to the Jews.

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And so it was with Rahab. She too believed that the city would be overcome by the God of Israel. So she hid Israel’s spies when the authorities came searching in her home, and in return she hoped for the same safety for her and her family when the Israelites came to take the city of Jericho.

In Joshua 2:8-12, she says, 8 Now before they (the spies) lay down, she came up to them on the roof, 9 and said to the men: “I know that the Lord has given you the land, that the terror of you has fallen on us, and that all the inhabitants of the land are fainthearted because of you. 10 For we have heard how the Lord dried up the water of the Red Sea for you when you came out of Egypt, and what you did to the two kings of the Amorites who were on the other side of the Jordan, Sihon and Og, whom you utterly destroyed. 11 And as soon as we heard these things, our hearts melted; neither did there remain any more courage in anyone because of you, for the Lord your God, He is God in heaven above and on earth beneath. 12 Now therefore, I beg you, swear to me by the Lord, since I have shown you kindness, that you also will show kindness to my father’s house, and give me a true token, 13 and spare my father, my mother, my brothers, my sisters, and all that they have, and deliver our lives from death.”

The Hebrew word for kindness in the above Scripture is: checed (kheh’-sed, Strong’s H2617) which means lovingkindness, mercy, kindly.

The Hebrew word for deliver in the above Scripture is: natsal (naw-tsal’, Strong’s H5337) which means to snatch away, pluck, rescue or save.

It is apparent that Rahab believed that not only would God re-take the land and the city, but also that there would be a way out for her and her family. Rahab’s story is an incredible salvation story!

This points to three things to understand from this session:

1. No one is too far gone for God to save; Rahab was a harlot 2. Everyone has a “story” within “God’s story”; even those who may have a

“normal” past 3. Your story is just as powerful as anyone’s

GROUP DISCUSSION

1. Discuss Rahab’s past and reputation and how her story impacts you? 2. Discuss how her story is a type and shadow of God’s salvation for all mankind 3. In what ways does her story help us witness today?


1. Recall and write down “your story” 2. Be able to succinctly share “your story”

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SESSION THREE NOTES:

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SESSION FOUR – OPEN TO ALL- KNOWING AND SHARING THE STORY OF THE SAVIOR Summary

In session four we look at the fearless life of Daniel, the prophet. Daniel is regarded as a prophet because of the visions chronicled in Chapters 7 through 12 of the book of Daniel. Jesus called Daniel a prophet in Mark 13:14, where he said, “So when you see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing where it ought not” (let the reader understand), “then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains.”

In the book of Daniel we see that he, along with the best and brightest of the southern kingdom of Judah, are living in exile in Babylon where he must serve under king Nebuchadnezzar. Daniel eventually rises to a high position of authority, having been recognized for his wisdom, talent, integrity and good character. Daniel was committed to God and was resolute in not defiling himself (see Daniel 1:8).

2 Kings Chapter 23 through 25 provides us with the history of the southern kingdom of Judah during the life of Daniel. A condensed version can be found in 2 Chronicles 36. Both of these tell of the fall of Jerusalem and the exile of the Jews into Babylon. This provides us with a prelude to the story of Daniel’s life in captivity under Babylonian domination which appears in the book of Daniel.

In Chapter 7: 13,14, Daniel has a vision of a coming Kingdom where all peoples, nations and languages will serve a King, one like the Son of Man, that will have all dominion and glory. This Kingdom will not pass away nor shall be destroyed.

This Scripture shows us that God’s Kingdom is indeed all-inclusive and powerful.

GROUP DISCUSSION

1. Discuss how Daniel, living in exile and in a dangerous time for the Jews was resolute unto God

2. Discuss Daniel’s vision in Chapter 7 and how this has been fulfilled through Jesus Christ

3. In witnessing to the lost, what have you said and done to minister to the lost, similar to the “bridge over the chasm” that was shared in this session


1. Practice on how you’d share the story of Jesus Christ with others

SESSION FOUR NOTES:

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SESSION FIVE – OPEN MOUTH – TIMLEY TRUTH SHARING Summary Session five deals with the life of the 8-century prophet Isaiah. During the life of Isaiah, God had His prophets working: Jonah goes to Nineveh, Hosea and Amos are in the northern kingdom of Israel, while Micah and Isaiah are in the southern kingdom of Judah. 2 Kings Chapters 15 through 25 give us a background to this time in history. Isaiah lived under four different kings of Judah. He is prolific as an Old Testament prophet who is quoted some 60-times in the New Testament. By many accounts, Isaiah is the most resolute of all the prophets, even though through 40+ years of ministry, few if any people take heed of his words. Isaiah, sometimes under great pressure, never quit! In Isaiah Chapter 6, the prophet Isaiah receives his heavenly commission. He experiences a heavenly encounter which moves him to declare of himself, “tame’ (taw-may’, Strong’s H2931) meaning foul, defiled, unclean. Recall that lepers were required to affirm their presence by loudly announcing “tame” or “unclean”. This is how Isaiah felt after seeing the “King, the Lord of hosts”; that he was, by comparison, “tame”. In this moment, Isaiah is undone. Nonetheless, Isaiah’s sins are immediately covered – not of his own doing, but by an act of God from His altar of atonement. Isaiah is further moved when, after having his iniquities taken away and his sins purged, answers God when He asks, “Whom shall I send, And who will go for Us?” Isaiah’s ready response is, “Here am I! Send me.” Can’t you just see Isaiah declaring this with both reverence, boldness and excitement? Isaiah was changed in that moment by the grace of God. Isaiah became a resolute messenger for God! GROUP DISCUSSION

1. Discuss how Isaiah must have felt having his uncleanliness purged 2. Discuss how Isaiah’s experience in Chapter 6 and his response to God is relevant

to us today 3. Discuss the “resolve” of Isaiah to continue to speak for God even though there was

little “harvest” at that time 4. How does Isaiah’s attitude, being so resolute, become relevant to us today? 5. Discuss the venues in which you’re most comfortable in sharing the Gospel – that

is, one-on-one, or to a room full of people, or both?

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1. Try utilizing some of the different ways that were presented in this session to engage people:

a. “Can I pray for you?” b. “Where do you go to church” or “do you go to church?” c. (for the deep, philosophical folk) “What do you think your life is all about?”

What are all of our lives all about?” 2. Meet with someone this week and share “your story” and “His story” 3. Invite them to church!

SESSION FIVE NOTES:

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SESSION SIX – OPEN DOORS - PRAYING FOR THE HOLY SPIRIT AT WORK Summary We complete this series about witnessing, with the story of the prophet Elisha. His story is told in 2 Kings Chapter 2 where he has recognized God’s Spirit that is on his mentor, Elijah. In this passage we find that the “Lord was about to take up Elijah into heaven by a whirlwind”. Elisha surely sensed this and was not about to leave the side of his mentor, as his desire was to receive a double portion of the anointing that was upon Elijah. Elisha had witnessed many miracles of God performed by Elijah through their travels over the years. Elijah is arguably the greatest and most powerful prophet of God in the Old Testament. In 2 Kings 2: 2-15, Elijah and Elisha go on a final “tour” of other local prophets in Bethel and Jericho. These other prophets repeatedly ask Elisha if he knows that the Lord is going to take away Elijah that very day? Elijah responds, “Yes, I know; keep silent!” Verses 9-15 describe Elijah granting a final request to Elisha after they cross the Jordan (with a cadre of the “sons of the prophets” watching from the other side). Elisha asks for a “double portion” of God’s spirit that is on Elijah. Elijah grants this request based upon the condition that Elisha stay with him and see the taking up or “rapture”. And then it happens and Elisha sees Elijah being carried off to heaven in a whirlwind. He then picks up the mantle that had fallen from Elijah as he was taken to heaven and the sons of the prophets that were on the other side of the Jordan see Elisha use the mantle to divide the waters of the Jordan and they exclaim, “The spirit of Elijah rests on Elisha”. And this begins the powerful ministry of the prophet Elisha. The Hebrew word for spirit in the above verses is ruach (roo-ach, Strong’s H7307) which literally means wind or breath. In Genesis 6:17 ruach is rendered “the breath of life”. In this Chapter ruach is referring to God’s Spirit that is on Elijah and then transferred to Elisha. Elisha knew that he needed God’s Spirit on his life to be a powerful witness and stand up for God. GROUP DISCUSSION

1. Discuss Elisha’s request for a double-portion of the anointing instead of asking for money, safety, position and what that means to you

2. How does Elisha’s revelation that he needed the Spirit of God to be a powerful representative of God relate to us today?

3. Discuss how we can grow in the promptings of the Holy Spirit to witness today

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1. Pray that the Holy Spirit will open doors for you to witness each and every day 2. Be sensitive and believe that He will indeed open doors every day 3. Move and be OPEN to share “your story” and “His story” when prompted 4. Invite them to church!

SESSION SIX NOTES:

open – the life of a dangerous witnesschildren of israel were encamped (see map) prior to...

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