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"Growing church series" L5-2005
Written by Eric Fan
Hope Christian Church Melbourne©
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Opener/Ice breaker:
What kind of needs did you have when you first visited care group or the church?
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Most people originally come to church because of some need in their life. Eg emotional hurts, lack of purpose in life, sickness etc.
The Good news is God wants to meet our needs. God is not only concerned for the spirit but for the whole person- spirit, soul and body. In other words God wants to us grow Holistically. Holistic means to be whole complete or balanced. For example, Jesus was sent with a ministry that would cover the entire range of human need (Luke 4:18-19).
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Q1. From the verse in Deuteronomy 2:7 how did God take care of the Israelites?
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The Israelites often did not notice God's care along their journey. The Israelites took God's blessings for granted. Since knowing God, have you noticed how God has been providing for you and taking care of all your needs all this time? In what ways have you experienced God's care upon your life? Can you describe a time when you were in great need (going through a desert experience), maybe even now and yet somehow God was able to meet your daily needs as you relied on him? Please share. Read 2 Corinthians 9:8 & Phil 4:19.
Let's us look at examples of meeting people's needs holistically. |
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Q2. From the verses in Acts 4:42-47 Can you identify the kind of needs that were met as the early church grew? (Please identify key words)
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The early believers were devoted to their spiritual
disciplines to study the word of God, prayer and worship. (V42, v47). As a
result they were strong and not fluffy Christians? (fluffy means soft). Share
testimonies of how you have grown spiritually by grabbing the opportunities to
attend CDS, prayer meetings, seminars, one on one discipleship, using connect
journal etc? Share how you have grown stronger as a person?
The early believers helped one another in practical
ways for people that were in need (v45). They shared in each other?s life. Do you know people's needs in the care group? Eg people having difficulties in their studies, people looking for work, people with financial difficulties, people with life pressures, people who are sick etc. Can you think of anything you can do to practically help someone who is in need in the care group or in the church?
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Conclusion:
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There will a stage in our life where we are more needs oriented. However, as God ministers to our needs we need to grow in grace and maturity to begin to minister to other people, to begin to serve him. This is God's plan. For this to happen, it is especially critical that the Word of God be the central part of our lives. God takes care of us spiritually, socially and physically. Likewise this is how we are to care for each other. Let's pray for God's wisdom that people's needs will be met so that the Church can go forth with power in spreading the gospel. Please pray for each other's needs.
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