1. What do you think the end goal of serving is? Is it meeting the physical and emotional needs of others through your compassion and generosity? Or is it meeting the spiritual need through sharing the Gospel?

Abigail Andersen grew up as a missionary kid on the shores of Lake Victoria in Tanzania. She returned to the United States for university and is currently preparing to return to Africa as a Labor and Delivery nurse.

More than any other Gospel, Luke vividly describes the heart of Jesus for the marginalized and those desperate for compassion. However, throughout all those interactions Jesus never separates their physical needs from their spiritual needs. In Jesus’ final words to His disciples, He reiterates the power and importance of sharing the Gospel. 

Read Luke 24:44-49. 

44 Then he said to them, “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled.” 45 Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures, 46 and said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, 47 and that repentance for the forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. 48 You are witnesses of these things. 49 And behold, I am sending the promise of my Father upon you. But stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high.” (Luke 24:44-49 ESV)

2. What are we called to be witnesses of? What are “these things?”

As a disciple of Jesus, the most important thing you can offer someone you are serving is the truth – “Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, and that repentance for the forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations.” (Luke 24:46-47) This truth is what will transform a person’s life. As we seek to love God and love others, as we talked about in the previous lessons, we need to point them to the One who can love them perfectly. 

3. On your next assignment, if you had the opportunity to share about Jesus with the person you are serving, what would you do? What would you say? Where would you start? 

One of the most effective ways to share the Gospel with someone else is to convey how God has transformed your own life. Our individual stories can become the most powerful evangelism tools because they are deeply unique to us and can bring the Gospel to life for others. 

Three sets of questions help us put together an effective testimony. Each member of the group can take turns answering these questions and hear feedback to refine their testimonies. 

A. Before you placed your faith in Christ, what was your life like, what was lacking or what power did sin have over your life? Were there methods for improving your life that didn’t work? 

B. When and why did you place your faith in Jesus? Can you clearly explain the gospel message? (Faith alone in Christ’s death and resurrection [Eph 2:8-9, 1 Cor. 15:3-4]. Salvation to all who believe [John 3:16, Titus 3:5]).

C. What difference has Jesus made in your life? How have you seen God work and answer prayer?

God has called us to physically and emotionally serve the marginalized with compassion and sacrifice. He also has charged us to proclaim that He is the Bread of Life and that whoever comes to Him will not hunger and whoever believes in Him will never thirst (John 6:35).

Remember, your next meeting will be your second and final service opportunity together. Spend some time thinking about what to do next. Consider how this lesson will change or impact how you go about serving this time. There may be an extra step God is inviting you to take with those you serve. Pray that you would be open and willing to take that next step.

 

* Spend time praying for your next service opportunity. Pray that God would give you opportunities to share about His love and grace with someone.