24 Feb I Was Next | Part 2 “What’s Behind a Divine Appointment?”
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Hosting Interns: If anyone is interested in hosting interns from different colleges this summer, please let us know!
The Deep End Podcast: airs live Wednesdays @noon on Facebook @thedeependtv ! Text in your questions anonymously to (508) 316-9333 to have them addressed on the show. And you can catch up on past episodes anytime on our Deep End page or on our Youtube channel @ waterschurchmedia
Looking for your testimonies! If you have group wins to share, please email them to me! maparsons@waterschurch.org
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We offer two types of classes. Please familiarize yourself with what these classes are about. Feel free to sign up for one so you can better explain what they are to your group members.
Starting Point: What is Christianity all about? Is the Bible really more than just a book? Who is Jesus? No matter where we are in life, we all have questions. Starting Point is a great place to explore the faith and have safe and open discussions about some of life’s toughest questions.
Growth Track: In this 3 part class; Discover, Deepen, & Dedicate; you will get answers to the most frequently asked questions about Waters Church and have an opportunity to ask your own. This is the perfect place to get to know the “Why” behind the “What” of who we are as a church.
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Key Verse: Acts 8
We are blessed as a nation, as a society. We are blessed as people of God. He blesses us with gifts to be used to point others to Him and he even takes our hardships and uses them.
GOD “BLESSES US IN OUR MESS, TO BE A BLESSING TO THE REST!”
GOD’S RX = THE CHURCH
It is not the building we meet in, but the people are the Church, we are His prescription.
The Great Commission – Matthew 28:19-20 ESV
This is a call to action, not just the apostles 2000 years ago, but is a call to action for us today.
We are to do what the Word says. We are saved for a purpose. We are blessed to be a blessing in this time and in this generation. God uses each of us in uniquely tailored ways setting us up in ‘divine appointments’, these small moments to reach others.
Q. What are some of the unique ways God has used to be a blessing to someone else?
Those of us who came to know Christ, came to Him in different ways through people and circumstances that He divinely orchestrated. Craig told us of his story and how he came to know Jesus. He was raised Catholic and had a head knowledge of God but not a heart knowledge. In his mid 20’s he got an invitation to a business conference from a girl he knew. In the morning of the conference there was a non-denominational Christian service which was optional but highly encouraged. That turned out to be Craig’s divine appointment and he received Christ.
Q. What are some divine appointments have you personally encountered?
Leader: This might be a great time to ask anyone in the group to share their testimony of how they came to Christ if they have not shared that before.
Philip was an evangelist who took care of widows and the down trodden in the church. He was a Jew of Greek origin and this is the beginning of the fulfillment of Acts 1:8 that we read above. The beginning of the Gospel being thrust into all parts of the world. This was not a small task but Philip was obedient. He did not hesitate, he just started out and God had orchestrated each step.
Philip teaches us 3 things about “divine appointments”.
1. PURPOSE-FILLED CHRISTIANS ARE CONNECTED TO GOD AND LED BY THE SPIRIT.
Often times this happens out of our comfort zone. Cool things happen when we step outside of our comfort zone. We connect with God by spending time with Him in prayer, worship, reading His word and getting to know Him, His character. We connect with God through fellowship with other believers and through church ministry.
Q. What are some of the characteristics of God that come alive to you when you read His word and spend time in prayer?
This is the description of the suffering servant from Isaiah 53. It is about Jesus and was written centuries before His birth. This was no coincidence. God provided the perfect layout for Philip to share the Good News with this Eunuch.
2.PURPOSE-FILLED CHRISTIANS TRUST GOD’S PROVIDENCE AND WORK, NOT OUR OWN.
We need to trust God even when the worst case scenario happens.
Q. In what areas do still find it difficult to trust God and instead trust your own judgement?
The Eunuch simply accepted the gift of salvation and immediately professed his faith through baptism. He rejoiced!
Q. How long after you received Christ did you get baptized?
Q. If you have given your life to Christ and have not been baptized, what is holding you back? (Leader: if you know there are Christians in your group that have not been baptized, this is a great time to discuss it and invite them to the baptism class).
3.PURPOSE-FILLED CHRISTIANS ARE VERY MUCH AWARE OF THE LIFE CHANGE AND JOY THAT AWAITS!
Everything was for this Eunuch’s salvation and today Ethiopia is almost 2/3rd Christian and can be traced back to this moment!
Jesus – the forerunner of all these things!
Q. What does God’s purpose hold for you Next?
Leader: some of the next’s would be: Baptism, tithing, serving (if you have a person in your group who is hesitant about apprenticing as a small group leader, here is your opportunity to talk to them).
PRAYER FOR EACH OTHER, THE LOST, WOONSOCKET AND OTHER UPCOMING CAMPUSES, THE ROOF AS IT HAS SEVERAL LEAKS AND WILL COST MUCH $$ TO REPLACE , THE CHURCH, THE NATION AND LEADERS AND THE TEAM THAT WENT ON THE GUATEMALA MISSION THIS WEEK.
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