Key Thought: We have a mission to reach out to non-believers and mingle with others desiring their good.

Jesus Mingled With People – August 6, 2016

1. Have a volunteer read Luke 15:3-7.

Image © Lars Justinen Goodsalt.com

a. Ask class members to share a thought on what the most important point in this text is.
b. In leaving the ninety-nine to save the one, was the shepherd putting the flock in danger?
c. Personal Application : Have you ever avoided witnessing to a person who would not likely fit into your church well? Share your thoughts.
d. Case Study : One of your relatives states: “Why do so many Adventists spend most of their social life with other Adventists? Is it wrong to have a social life with those outside the church? Is it dangerous to your spiritual life to do so?” How would you respond to your relative?

2. Have a volunteer read Matthew 9:10-13.

a. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the most important point is in this passage.
b. What does it mean to be in the world but not of the world?
c. Personal Application : What kind of people are deemed undesirable in your culture? How can we mingle with them? Share your thoughts.
d. Case Study : One of your friends states, “I thought we were told not to have fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness. Yet Jesus mingled with sinners. How do we balance mingling with sharing the gospel?” How would you respond to your friend?

3. Have a volunteer read I John 2:16.

a. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the main idea of this text is.
b. In what ways do we tend to isolate ourselves from the world and the evil in it?
c. Personal Application: How many non-Adventist friends do you have? What is the nature of your relationship? Share your thoughts.
d. Case Study : One of your neighbors states, “When you are with your non-Adventist friends, who is influencing whom more, you them, or they you? Do you tend to compromise more and hide your beliefs and faith when around them? How would you respond to your neighbor?

4. Have a volunteer read Philippians 2:13-15.

a. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the main idea of this text is.
b. What does it mean to do all things without murmurings and disputings?
c. Personal Application : How much time and energy does the church spend on internal issues compared to the focus on outreach and winning souls? Share your thoughts.
d. Case Study : Think of one person who needs to hear a message from this week’s lesson. Tell the class what you plan to do this week to share with them.

(Truth that is not lived, that is not imparted, loses its life-giving power, its healing  virtue. Its blessings can be retained only as it is shared.”Ministry of Healing, p. 148).

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