LOOK:

Here’s your challenge: Listen carefully to the conversations that you’re having to make sure people are hearing an accurate gospel message. It is my experience that there are many who are seeking God, but who incorrectly believe that they have to “clean up their act” (be a good person = works) before they can even seek salvation from God. That is a form of trying to gain salvation by works. There are people who feel unworthy of God’s love and therefore the salvation he offers. You and I have a great opportunity to convey hope through the TRUTH that salvation is by grace through Jesus.

In the meantime, if you hear false teaching in the church, you need to address it with the person you heard it from to see if there is resolution. If it’s not resolved, we need to bring the issue to our spiritual leaders and let them deal with it. We need to trust that the Lord will work through the spiritual leaders of the church to address false teaching appropriately.

Close in Prayer

LOOK:

Q: How were Paul and Barnabas able to handle all of their adversities? Do you think they did this in their own strength? [The Holy Spirit empowered them to handle all of their adversities.]

I want you to consider what adversities you’re facing today. I want you to walk out of this class knowing that the Spirit has enabled you to deal with your adversities. Our challenge is to honor God in the midst of these adversities by pointing people to Lord as often as we can and to make sure God gets full credit for the strength you show others.

LOOK:

Q: Have you noticed that as each of the apostles go to share the good news that there is no fear being experienced? Stephen wasn’t afraid of the Sanhedrin. He even prayed for them as he was being stoned. Peter was sound asleep the night before his probable execution, and he slept like a baby. Paul and Barnabas continue to share the gospel and deal with the resistances, but they remain bold in their message. If they were fearless in sharing the gospel, shouldn’t we?

Q: To be clear, why should you and I have confidence to be bold with the gospel message? [God has promised to be with us. He will not let “the gates of Hell” prevail. Jesus tells us to “fear not.” If God is for us, who can be against us?!]

Challenge: Go boldly in the power of the Holy Spirit and let God remove the obstacles as you share the good news.

LOOK:

I don’t know what circumstances you are facing that may be causing great anxiety. Perhaps there is something going on that is very serious to you, and if God doesn’t show up, the implications for you are grim. I have no idea what is really going on in each of your lives, but this I know: God knows, and He cares deeply for each of His children. And if the enemy is authoring your scary circumstance, God has a rescue plan already in place. He will NOT let the enemy thwart His purpose in your life. He simply will not give Satan the satisfaction. Just as the Egyptians were pursuing the Israelites whom God delivered by parting the Red Sea, He will do the same for us. The harder they came, the harder they fell.

To help you apply this, I want to take you through a simple verse found in Ex 14:14, and I want us to memorize it by repeating it and emphasizing a different word each time:

“The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.”

“The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.”

“The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.”

“The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.”

“The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.”

“The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.”

“The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.”

“The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.”

“The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.”

“The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.”

“The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.”

“The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.”

LOOK:

We represent the NT church in 2014. How are we doing? Is there breaking news that people are being saved in great numbers? For those who have made their decision for Christ, are we teaching them well like Barnabas and Saul? 

Let’s pray that a revival starts within each of our hearts that becomes contagious as we reach others for Christ. Let’s make some breaking news!