Week 1
Small Group Study Guide
SUPPLIES
- One Group journal (find a notebook to be used each week for group notes)
- Pen or pencil
- Bible for each participant
Disciple-Making & Mission
(30-45 minutes)
Read: Matthew 28:18-20
- Describe the context of this quote by Jesus. Where was He in His ministry?
- When reading the original language (Greek) we discover that there is only one command Jesus gives here, “make disciples”. How does He describe that we are to do that?
- Make a list of Jesus followers, past, present or future, who would be exempt from this command and give the reasons for the exemption.
- Why is it that so many Jesus followers are not actively engaged in making disciples?
- What should be done about the answers to question 4?
BONUS QUESTION: What is the mission statement of our church and how does it fit with Jesus’ command to make disciples?
PRAYER
(15-20 minutes)
Spend time as a group in prayer. Don’t spend time talking about prayer, do it. Here are tonight’s topics for prayer:
- Thank and praise God that He has given us the opportunity to be part of His mission.
- Confess your personal lack of disciple-making focus. This can be public or private.
- Ask the Lord to use the next seven weeks to mature your group as disciple-makers
NEXT STEPS
(15-20 minutes)
Journal as a group. Give each person 30-90 seconds to share what step they will take this week in becoming a more focused disciple-maker. The step might be a small one; that’s okay. Write down in your group journal what each person shares and next week there will be an opportunity for updates.
HOMEWORK
Meditate: Throughout the week meditate on Matthew 28:18-20. Consider memorizing it.
Pray: Ask the Lord to show you where you can become a better disciple-maker and thus fulfill Christ’s purpose for you.
Next Step: Follow through on whatever Next Step you committed to with the group. Be prepared to share how you did next week.