Welcome & Blessing | Compassion & Commission | Drew Moore
We have been sent to share with others what we have received through a life with Jesus. How do we do that? We follow Jesus’ compassionate heart, leaning in when it’s easy to draw back. His compassionate response to suffering is to commission His followers. Jesus’ words in Matthew 10:1-14 remind us of the ways we show up as compassionate disciple-makers. We speak and act, give and receive, stay and go. How will you show up with compassion this week in places that seem easy to draw back?
Key Verses
Romans 10:8-13 NLT: In fact, it says, “The message is very close at hand; it is on your lips and in your heart.” And that message is the very message about faith that we preachIf you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by openly declaring your faith that you are saved.As the Scriptures tell us, “Anyone who trusts in him will never be disgraced.”Jew and Gentile are the same in this respect. They have the same Lord, who gives generously to all who call on him.For “Everyone who calls on the name of the LORD will be saved.”
Romans 10:14-15 NLT: But how can they call on him to save them unless they believe in him? And how can they believe in him if they have never heard about him? And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them?And how will anyone go and tell them without being sent? That is why the Scriptures say, “How beautiful are the feet of messengers who bring good news!”
Matthew 28:18-20 NLT: Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth.Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
Matthew 10:1, Matthew 10:5-8 NLT: Jesus called his twelve disciples together and gave them authority to cast out evil spirits and to heal every kind of disease and illness.Jesus sent out the twelve apostles with these instructions: “Don’t go to the Gentiles or the Samaritansbut only to the people of Israel—God’s lost sheep.Go and announce to them that the Kingdom of Heaven is near.Heal the sick, raise the dead, cure those with leprosy, and cast out demons. Give as freely as you have received!
Matthew 10:7-15 NLT: Go and announce to them that the Kingdom of Heaven is near.Heal the sick, raise the dead, cure those with leprosy, and cast out demons. Give as freely as you have received!“Don’t take any money in your money belts—no gold, silver, or even copper coins.Don’t carry a traveler’s bag with a change of clothes and sandals or even a walking stick. Don’t hesitate to accept hospitality, because those who work deserve to be fed.“Whenever you enter a city or village, search for a worthy person and stay in his home until you leave town.When you enter the home, give it your blessing.If it turns out to be a worthy home, let your blessing stand; if it is not, take back the blessing.If any household or town refuses to welcome you or listen to your message, shake its dust from your feet as you leave.I tell you the truth, the wicked cities of Sodom and Gomorrah will be better off than such a town on the judgment day.
One of the best ways to hear what God is saying right now is to look at what He has said in the Bible with a few friends. Discovery Bible Study is an easy-to-use way to hear from God, make good changes in our lives, and share with others what God is up to. Grab some friends, pick a verse or story from above, and dive deeper into this week’s message.
Recap
-
To begin the study, each person answers these questions:
What are you thankful for?
What is causing stress for our neighbors and people around us?
What can we as individuals or as a group do to help?
-
Have someone retell the story from your previous meeting.
Did you live out your response from last week?
Did you tell anyone else about the story from last week?
DISCOVERING WHAT GOD IS SAYING
-
One person reads the story out loud to the group.
Someone else in the group retells the story in their own words as they remember it, and others fill in what’s missing.
-
Read the passage again (different version if possible)
What does this passage say about God, Jesus, or His plan?
-
Have 1-2 more people retell the story as if they were telling a neighbor outside their home.
What does this passage say about people in general?
DISCOVER WHAT GOD IS SAYING
-
What in me needs to change to better DO what God is showing me today?
How will you respond to/obey this passage in a tangible, perhaps even costly ways in the next 47 hours?
Have someone record these for prayer time, and for the beginning of the next meeting.
SHARING WHAT GOD IS SAYING
-
Take prayer requests
Pray together
-
Who in your life needs to hear this story?
Who could you invite to study the Bible like this?
Become a Partner
Every time you give in Jesus’ name, you make a difference in others AND you make a difference in your own life! Partnering together in generosity helps accomplish things together that could never be accomplished alone! You can partner together in giving today with a single gift, or schedule recurring giving using your checking account, debit, or credit card.