The Burden of Christ

Jump Start > Week 5 > Memo

Memo:

How are you doing in your studies so far? You are now more than half-way
through our Jump Start series and we pray it has all been a blessing for you.
That you are coming to see more fully God's glorious plan for the church, the
wondrous privileges He intends us to enjoy through connection with the
church. And that your commitment to fully plug into the church is growing. If
so, praise God. But let's keep pressing on!
      This week we dig even deeper into the reason God established the church. You
see, there is a great burden in the heart of God—a burden that moved Christ to
come to this world. But it was only one step in a dramatic, desperate, and
daring rescue. The church was raised up, to continue that same rescue effort.
To save friends and families in a lost and dying world. And in so doing, to
relieve the heartache of a loving God. You can help!

The Editor,
Hid in Christ

Copyright © 2020, FAST Missions, All rights reserved.

For licensing information, please visit WWW.FAST.ST
The Burden of Christ
Jump Start > Week 5 > Objectives

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Date:                                         

The Bible Search this week is called The Burden of Christ. We often focus on what God can
do for us in our study of the Bible. This week, try to think a bit about the heart of God, and
what we can do as a church—for Him! Dig in prayerfully, take time to think through the
questions and verses, and write the answers in your own words.

Here is another great memory verse: I Timothy 1:15. Are you making an effort to reflect on
the verses you memorize? To meditate on them? To find principles? Are you going on to
apply those principles to your life? The goal is not just memorization but internalization.
Then implementation. And then last but not least, impartation...

Read the last two pages of this booklet and come prepared to discuss it at your next
meeting. This material looks at what we can do as a church to reach out to those around us
who don't know Christ. It is entitled: A Strategy for Salvation.

Continue to pray that God would give you a deep sense of the importance of His Church,
and of throwing your self personally into its work. God is looking for believers today who are
committed, loyal, faithful, and engaged!
The Burden of Christ
Jump Start > Week 5 > Bible Search

This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus
came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief. I Timothy 1:15

1. What motivated God to send Jesus to our world? John 3:16

What does the verse say He wanted to accomplish?

Note: The life, death, and resurrection of Christ was all part of a daring rescue to save a
lost and dying world from utter destruction!

2. How important is this to God? Romans 8:32

Note: The sacrifice of Christ is proof of God's love and commitment to our salvation. By
giving the greatest gift possible, He demonstrated He would hold nothing back essential for
our salvation!

3. What did Jesus understand His mission to be?

Luke 5:32

Luke 19:10

Note: Jesus too, was fully focused and committed to one objective—the salvation of the
human race. Not once did He waiver from His task!
4. What motivated Him? Matthew 9:36

Note: Jesus was motivated by the desperate need of the people around Him. Rather than
being critical or judgmental, it moved Him to compassion. His goal was redemption, not
condemnation! John 3:17

5. Read the verses below and identify the consequences of sin:

Isaiah 59:2

Ezekiel 18:4

Note: A life apart from God is filled with guilt and bitterness—guilt for our failures, and
bitterness toward those who fail us. As Isaiah 57:21 puts it, "There is no peace ... to the
wicked." Worse, the ultimate "wages of sin is death" (Romans 6:23). We will be gone, for all
eternity.

6. What does Christ offer those who turn to Him?

John 15:9

John 15:11

John 16:33

Note: God wants to fill our lives with love, joy, and peace. As Jesus said, "I am come that
they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly." John 10:10. But not
just life here and now: "I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish"
John 10:28!
7. How motivated should we be about sharing Christ with the lost and why? II Corinthians 5:14-
15

Note: The more Christ's love fills our heart, the greater our burden will be to rescue the
lost from certain destruction. It will "constrain" us to co-labor with heaven in reaching
those around us.

8. What should we feel when we have an opportunity to lead someone to Christ?

John 4:35-36

Luke 15:10

Note: There is great joy in heaven over every conversion. We can experience that same joy
here and now, in ministering to others.

9. Where did New Testament Christians do much of their witnessing:

Matthew 9:10

Mark 2:1-2

Acts 28:30-31

Note: The Bible records numerous examples of individuals using their homes for ministry.
While there is a place for large meetings, many people feel more comfortable visiting a
home, than a church.
10. How common was this use of homes for witnessing? Acts 5:42

Note: While there are examples of people giving personal Bible studies (Acts 8:30-31) and
people doing public meetings (Acts 13:5), the method used most commonly in the New
Testament was small groups meeting in homes. In fact, Jesus specifically instructed the
apostles to base their ministries out of homes when working in a city. See Luke 9:4,10:7.

11. What is one key advantage of reaching out to people through small groups in homes?
John 13:35, John 17:23

Note: There is power in Christian community. In fact, Christian love and unity is our most
powerful argument for the Gospel. By inviting friends into a fellowship of believers they
can see genuine caring in action. This then becomes a magnet to draw people to Christ!

Thought Questions

How grieved do you think God is when He sees men and women experience the
consequences of sin?

How important should personal witnessing be to us today?

What reasons do you see for reaching out to friends and family through homes? What
makes it so powerful?
The Burden of Christ
Jump Start > Week 5 > Practical Suggestions

A Strategy for Salvation

Being part of the church brings wonderful blessings. It allows us to experience true fellowship
with others centered in the cross of Christ. It provides opportunities to study God's Word, and get
biblical answers to questions. It can equip any willing member for service, filling their life with a
sense of mission. And it offers opportunity for worship—by appointing a time for holy convocation
each week. The church offers all these things and more.

But it also brings responsibilities. God longs to reach a lost and dying world. And He has given us
heaven's most precious gift: Jesus Christ. Nor did heaven's sacrifice end there. For the last 2000
years, God has been working earnestly to bring the good news of salvation to every man, woman
and child. And He has been using people to do it. In fact, this is probably God's primary purpose
for the church: it was organized for service! God has a call on the life of every believer to reach
out to friends and family. To become a part of heaven's daring rescue. That call extends to you...

Opening Our Homes

There are many ways to reach out to people. Some enjoy studying the Bible with others and
introducing them to truths they may not be familiar with. Some like preaching to large crowds
and enjoy public meetings. But there is one thing every believer can do: be part of a small group
meeting in someone's home, and inviting those they know to come along. This is the base model
established in the New Testament.
     
Jesus frequently used homes in His ministry, and instructed both the 12, and then later the 70 to
follow this same strategy. See Luke 9:4 & 10:7. At Pentecost, the apostles urged the new
believers to meet "from house to house ... with gladness and singleness of heart" (Acts 2:46). And
soon, "in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ" (Acts 5:42). Paul
followed the exact same plan, teaching believers in every city "from house to house"
(Acts 20:20).
Community in Action
Jesus explained that it would be our love for each other (John 13:35) and our unity with one
another (John 17:23) that would be our most convincing argument for the Gospel. And the newly
established church at Pentecost demonstrated it. As they met from week to week in various
houses (Acts 2:46), they became known for their "fellowship" , how they were "together, and had
all things common" , how they met one another's needs, and were of "one accord" and enjoyed
"singleness of heart" (vs 43-46). As a result of all this, they had "favor with all the people. And
the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved" (vs 47).
     
What did they do in their meetings? The Bible identifies four key components: "they continued
stedfastly in the apostles doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers" (vs
42). Most likely they would gather for a meal, spend some time in Bible study, share what was
going on in their lives, and pray together for each other's needs. The meetings were clearly open
to those who didn't know much about Christ, because people were being drawn steadily into the
church. These groups gave seekers time to study out the claims of Christ, weigh the evidence,
and adjust their lives to the things they were learning in the context of loving community. They
would go from belonging to believing.
     
Small groups don't replace personal Bible studies or public meetings. Rather, they help to
establish relationships with people as they progress down their faith journey. At some point,
seekers will want more systematic Bible instruction, and many may well make their final decision
for Christ at a larger meeting. But people usually need time to reach such milestones, and in the
meanwhile, it will be loving relationships that keep them learning and growing in Christ. There is
an urgent need for such groups today.

God's plan is not for one or two specially gifted members to do all the evangelism—every believer
is to be a part. And they can, if we will just get back to the biblical model of opening our homes
and living out true Christian community before our friends and family. Together, we can all join
in heaven's daring rescue of a lost and dying world.