Part 1
Part 1
Part 1
Vision Sunday
We each have a choice. We can keep our discussions general, or we can fearlessly resolve to set ourselves apart, committing to love God with all our heart, soul, mind and strength, loving others as we love ourselves.
On Vision Sunday, Pastor Dale explained that although the church in Australia has been in decline for seven decades, it is our vision to turn that trend around and see Australians putting their faith in Jesus Christ, in visible numbers. If we do nothing, we join the declining trend. If we live in the light of God’s promises, we become part of our country’s renewal. Are you part of the declining trend, or part of the solution?
Discuss
- Our lives as Christians should be the most natural thing to share about. Ask each member of the group: Do the people at your workplace, in your street and in your extended family know that you’re a follower of Christ? How did that unfold? Are you representing Christ well to those people?
- Share effective ways you have used to communicate your faith to people at work, in the neighbourhood, or in your family.
- What does Ephesians 3:16b mean to you, “to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man”? (Other references: 1 Co 16:13; Phil 4:13; Col 1:11.) Further, what does Ephesians 3:20 mean to you? How do these words shape the way you live life and share your faith with others?
- Consider James 1:22-25. Explain in your own words what this passage means and how it impinges on the previous passage discussed.
- Why is prayer the foundational platform upon which vision and hope (based on the promises of God) become a reality?
- Luke 12:34 says, “for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” All of us make decisions about how we choose to invest our time, effort, skills, finances and desires. What do your calendar and bank statement (how you spend your time and money) say about where your treasures are? How can this change?
- Spend five minutes in quiet prayer about a vision and hope you can invest in. Write it down for future reference. If you are willing, share it with the group.
Read: Hebrews 11:1.
Note: The Greek words translated as ‘hope’ in verse 1 is a ‘confident expectation’ type of hope. Dale encouraged us to lift our vision – dare to dream – and look to the future with purpose and promise, believing in God for a future that He wants for each of us and for our nation. He also declared that prayer is not something Christians merely do, it is part of who we are.Respond
In 2 Timothy 1:1, Paul declares he is an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, in keeping with the promise of life that is in Christ Jesus. Take time to superimpose your name in that verse and declare by faith what you are aiming to become. Fervently pray for it and act on it:
I _________ (your name), a _________ (what you are aiming to become) of Christ Jesus by the will of God, in keeping with the promise of life that is in Christ Jesus Download PDFPart 1
Vision Sunday
We each have a choice. We can keep our discussions general, or we can fearlessly resolve to set ourselves apart, committing to love God with all our heart, soul, mind and strength, loving others as we love ourselves.
On Vision Sunday, Pastor Dale explained that although the church in Australia has been in decline for seven decades, it is our vision to turn that trend around and see Australians putting their faith in Jesus Christ, in visible numbers. If we do nothing, we join the declining trend. If we live in the light of God’s promises, we become part of our country’s renewal. Are you part of the declining trend, or part of the solution?
Read: Ephesians 3:14-21.
- Our lives as Christians should be the most natural thing to share about. Ask each member of the group: Do the people at your workplace, in your street and in your extended family know that you’re a follower of Christ? How did that unfold? Are you representing Christ well to those people?
- Share effective ways you have used to communicate your faith to people at work, in the neighbourhood, or in your family.
- What does Ephesians 3:16b mean to you, “to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man”? (Other references: 1 Co 16:13; Phil 4:13; Col 1:11.) Further, what does Ephesians 3:20 mean to you? How do these words shape the way you live life and share your faith with others?
- Consider James 1:22-25. Explain in your own words what this passage means and how it impinges on the previous passage discussed.
The revelations of Scripture are more than mere words. They are inspired by the Almighty through His Holy Spirit. They represent the reality lived by the Apostles during a time much tougher on Christians than anything we have experienced so far in Australia. The promises in the Bible are real and their impact upon each generation is limited only by those who carry them.
Read: Hebrews 11:1.
Note: The Greek words translated as ‘hope’ in verse 1 is a ‘confident expectation’ type of hope.
Dale encouraged us to lift our vision – dare to dream – and look to the future with purpose and promise, believing in God for a future that He wants for each of us and for our nation. He also declared that prayer is not something Christians merely do, it is part of who we are.
- Why is prayer the foundational platform upon which vision and hope (based on the promises of God) become a reality?
- Luke 12:34 says, “for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” All of us make decisions about how we choose to invest our time, effort, skills, finances and desires. What do your calendar and bank statement (how you spend your time and money) say about where your treasures are? How can this change?
- Spend five minutes in quiet prayer about a vision and hope you can invest in. Write it down for future reference. If you are willing, share it with the group.
Respond
In 2 Timothy 1:1, Paul declares he is an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, in keeping with the promise of life that is in Christ Jesus. Take time to superimpose your name in that verse and declare by faith what you are aiming to become. Fervently pray for it and act on it:
I _________ (your name), a _________ (what you are aiming to become) of Christ Jesus by the will of God, in keeping with the promise of life that is in Christ Jesus