a Light* sharing: "New Challenges", Oct 07

"New Challenges 1" – A Friend like Andrew

When you're down and troubled
and you need a helping hand
and nothing whoa nothing is going right.
Close your eyes and think of me
and soon I will be there
to brighten up even your darkest nights.

You just call out my name
and you know whereever I am
I'll come running oh yeah baby
to see you again.
Winter spring summer or fall
all you have to do is call
and I'll be there yeah yeah yeah.
You've got a friend.

If the sky above you
should turn dark and full of clouds
and that old north wind should begin to blow
Keep your head together and call my name out loud
and soon I will be knocking upon your door.
You just call out my name and you know where ever I am
I'll come running to see you again.
Winter, spring, summer or fall
all you got to do is call
and I'll be there, yeah, yeah, yeah.

Hey, ain't it good to know that you've got a friend?
People can be so cold.
They'll hurt you and desert you.
Well they'll take your soul if you let them.
Oh yeah, but don't you let them.

You just call out my name and you know wherever I am
I'll come running to see you again.
Oh babe, don't you know that,
Winter spring summer or fall,
Hey now, all you've got to do is call.
Lord, I'll be there, yes I will.
You've got a friend.
You've got a friend.
Ain't it good to know you've got a friend.
Ain't it good to know you've got a friend.
You've got a friend



Your definition of 'friend': ______________________________________

WANTED: A Friend like Andrew!

John 1: 40-42. Did you notice the first thing Andrew did? He searched and found his brother and told him about Jesus! When we see Andrew in the Gospel of John, he is always bringing others to Jesus. Shouldn't you be an Andrew, too? Who is someone with whom you would like to share Jesus? Why not begin to pray daily that the Lord will open their heart and help you see the opportunity to share your faith and Jesus' grace!

SHARE:

How you have brought someone to know more about God this year.

What does being a friend mean to you and how has God spoken to you about it recently.

Why do you think bringing your friends to Jesus/Trinity/cell group is important?

Who do you want to bring to Jesus before 2007 ends?

i. Pre-believers with physical and emotional needs:___________

ii. Believers who need to come back to the Lord: ___________________________

iii. Pre-believers who need to witness the power of God & be saved: ___________

PRAY: Loving and righteous Father, please bless me as I seek to share Jesus with... Give me wisdom to see your work in their lives, to know the right time for them to hear about Christ, and to have courage to share my faith and your salvation with them. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

TAKE HOME MESSAGE: (fill in your own, here)

==============================================


"New Challenges 2"

Passionately in Love?



No one knows a broken heart like God does.

– John Ortberg, "Love Beyond Reason."


Dear friends, let us continue to love one another, for love comes from God. Anyone who loves is born of God and knows God. But anyone who does not love does not know God — for God is love. God showed how much he loved us by sending his only Son into the world so that we might have eternal life through him. This is real love. It is not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins. Dear friends, since God loved us that much, we surely ought to love each other. No one has ever seen God. But if we love each other, God lives in us, and his love has been brought to full expression through us. And God has given us his Spirit as proof that we live in him and he in us. ( 1 John 4:7-13 )

God will look to every soul like its first love because He is its first love." – CS Lewis


SHARE:

How do you know that God loves you? Share some instances in which you have known His love.

What is your 'passion level' (on a scale of 1 – 10) for God? Are you passionately in love?

Last week, we shared about how we can be a friend like Andrew. Knowing God's love for us, what are the ways which we can show God's love to our friends whom we want to bring to God?

Do I really know God or just know about God? What commitment can I make to know Him better?



Take Home message: Know how much God loves you and live in His purpose for your life. Make a commitment to get to know God better.



PRAY: Dear God, I believe that you have loved me with an everlasting love. Help me to love others and see others the way you see them. I pray that I will always love You, and I want Your love for my life. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.



-shared by spiritedly, first part of Oct, 2007, Light* cell.