1. Introduction: Not all of a Christian's service to Christ is in a church program. They also serve him personally every day. This service includes personal Bible study and prayer, witnessing to others about Christ, and helping and encouraging people.
2. Serving Jesus In My Private Devotional Life:
A. Read the account of Jesus' powerful ministry in Mark 1:21-34. Then read what he did the next morning in Mark 1:35. What connection do you see between the two?
B. When Jesus was faced with a very important task, what did he do first? (Luke 6:12)
C. What was one thing that Jesus' apostles were always doing? (Acts 6:4; 10:9;)
D. What does the Lord say that I must always be doing? (1 Thess.5:17; Ephesians 6:18)
E. What are two especially important times for prayer? (Psalm 5:3; 141:2)
F. Before I eat my food, what should I do? (1 Timothy 4:4,5; Luke 24:30)
G. Instead of worrying, what am I to do? (Philippians 4:6,7; Luke 18:1). What will come to my heart if I do this in faith?
H. Is there any kind of trouble which I cannot hand over to God in prayer? (1 Peter 5:7)
I. What should be my approach in everything I do? (Proverbs 3:6)
J. Name some things Jesus teaches you to pray for (write just a word or two for each). (Mt 6:9-13; Luke 11:13; Ephesians 6:18,19; 1 Timothy 2:1-2; Ps 51:10; James 1:5; Matthew 5:44; Genesis 24:4,42-44; James 5:14-16; Ephesians 5:20)
K. Name three things that will keep God from hearing your prayer.
1. Mark 11:25
2. Psalm 66:18
3. James 1:6-7
L. If my body lives by food, what does my spirit live by? (Mt 4:4)
M. Name seven things which learning God's word does for you.
1. Romans 10:17 -
2. Psalm 119:11 -
3. Ps 119:105 -
4. James 1:21 -
5. John 15:3 -
6. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 -
7. Romans 15:4 -
N. What does taking a "quiet time" for Bible study and prayer every day say about your attitude toward God? If you are "too busy" for a daily quiet time, what does this say?
3. Sharing Our Lord With Others:
A. When Andrew found Jesus, what did he do? (John 1:40-42)
B. When Philip began to follow Jesus, what did Philip quickly do? (John 1: 43-45)
C. After Jesus had healed the demon-possessed man at Gerasa, what did Jesus tell the man to do? (Mark 5:18-20)
D. What does the Lord tell us to do? (1 Peter 3:15)
E. How does God describe people who do not follow Christ? (Ephesians 2:1-12)
F. If your friend was dying with a disease and you knew a cure, what would you do?
G. If you knew of an outstanding bargain offered at a store, and your friends did not know about it, what would you do?
H. If you have found eternal life and blessing in Christ, and your friends don't know about him, what should you do?
I. Do you think you need to understand all the deeper things of the Bible be fore you can help a person with the basics of following Christ, or tell him about the good things you have already found?
J. 80% of new members come into the church because of being invited by a friend, relative or acquaintance. Knowing this should make me want to:
K. If you are anxious that people should not be lost, and you do what you can to bring them to Christ, you are thinking and working for the same things God does. (John 3:16.)
4. Encouraging And Helping Others:
A. Barnabas was called "Son of Encouragement" (Acts 4:36). He encouraged and stood by which new convert while that convert was getting started in Christ's service? (Acts 9:23-28)
B. Which people in Bethany encouraged the ministry of Jesus by often having Jesus and his disciples in their home? (Luke 10:38-39)
C. How did Aquila and Priscilla help and encourage the preaching ministry of Apollos? (Acts 18:26)
D. What should each Christian want to do for those who are timid or weak in serving Christ? (1 Thessalonians 5:14)
E. How can we fulfill the law of Christ? (Galatians 6:2)
F. If a fellow-Christian falls into sin or unfaithfulness, what does the Lord tell you to do for him, and how? (Galatians 6:1)
G. When you convert someone from a wrong way, you do what? (James 5:19-20)
H. Should you hold back from talking to a brother or sister about his or her sin for fear of embarrassment?
I. How can Christians help each other? (Hebrews 10:24-25)
J. What statement of Cain, the first murderer, is the exact opposite of the spirit Christians must have? (Genesis 4:9)
K. If another person is in need or trouble, what does the Lord want you to do, as far as you are able? (1 John 3:16-18; Galatians 6:10)
L. When you do this, you are acting like (Acts 20:35).
5. Conclusion: Now that I belong to the Lord Jesus, I must not go on being "wrapped up in myself." I must develop sensitivity to God, always being con scious of his presence (Psalm 139:7-12). I must develop sensitivity to people and their needs as Jesus did.
A. This growth does not come automatically. It is a decision. Jesus said, "To everyone who has, more will be given, but as for the one who has nothing, even what he has will be taken away" (Luke 19:26). I can fall back and die spiritually, or I can go forward and "grow in the grace and knowledge of the Lord" (2 Pet 3:18)
B. Sit down right now and write down the practical steps you need to take in order to make the things in this lesson happen in your life: personal devo tions, witnessing and helping the weak. Those steps will be the steps that follow Jesus.